Transform Your Yard With A Privacy Shrub That Birds Love

If some parts of your yard are in the sun while others are in shade, it can be challenging to create a hedge of uniform privacy shrubs that flourish in all lighting conditions. If you're hoping to use these plants to attract birds as well, then the challenge is even greater. Luckily, Japanese cleyera (Cleyera japonica) is not only a great privacy shrub and hedge plant that can thrive in a variety of light levels, but its berries are also a huge hit with birds. 

Japanese cleyeras are perfect for hedges and privacy screens thanks to their evergreen leaves and heights and widths of around 10 feet. Their ability to thrive in everything from full sun to deep shade makes it easy to have symmetry and create a cohesive garden or landscape regardless of the lighting and sun exposure. They boast fragrant white flowers that help dress up your yard for spring and charming black berries that provide a visually stunning pop to your summer landscape — all while providing a treat for local birds.

Japanese cleyera is hardy in USDA zones 6 through 9, and while it is native to east Asia, it's widely available in garden centers in the United States. Japanese cleyera requires fertile and well-draining soil to grow well and thrive. And while it prefers moist soil, it's relatively drought tolerant once established. This makes Japanese cleyera perfect for anyone who wants to be water wise while still turning their yard into a bird haven.

As great as Japanese cleyeras can be as a privacy screen or hedgerow, they don't make great wind breaks. They don't handle strong winds well and need to be planted in a spot that protects them from gusts. Another thing to keep in mind with Japanese cleyeras is to make sure you aren't accidentally purchasing their look-alike cousin, false Japanese cleyera (Ternstroemia gymnanthera). Since the two plants look so similar, they are sometimes mislabeled. But while False Japanese cleyera also offers a great way to bring year-round color to your landscape, it lacks the shade and tolerance of true Japanese cleyera.