19 Best Winter Plants For Patio Privacy

Your patio allows you to relax, disengage from the worries of day-to-day life, and connect with nature. It is your special space, so it makes sense that you want a little bit of privacy from your neighbors. In the winter months, a lot of perennials die back or lose their leaves, leaving your patio a little bit exposed. But, by adding winter plants for patio privacy, you can keep your space concealed and cozy throughout the seasons. The best winter plants for your patio are evergreen shrubs, vines, and grasses, such as wax myrtle, big sacaton, and fragrant tea olive. 

When picking what to add to your patio for winter, consider going for a mix of patio plants. This will bring biodiversity into your yard and protect your landscape against major loss if there is a disease outbreak. Also, try to plant your shrubs and flowers in a scattered row or in clusters if there is room. This will create a relaxed, natural look around your patio.

American boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is a classic hedge that you have probably seen in gardens across the country. Cold-tolerant in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 8, it is easy to take care of and adapts to a range of conditions. American boxwood can grow up to 20 feet, but is typically pruned and kept at a shorter height. You can grow American boxwood in either full sun or partial shade, although it can suffer a little in heat and intense sunshine. As it has quite shallow roots, mulching after planting will provide it with some protection. 

With its bright red stems and glossy green leaves, mountain pepper (Drimys lanceolata) is a fantastic shrub to bring into your yard for some winter interest. However, its beauty is not just appreciable in the colder months, as this evergreen showcases cream star-like flowers in the spring and clusters of shiny red berries in the fall. Hardy to zones 8 to 10, mountain pepper can be planted in both full sun and partial shade. It needs moist, well-drained soil to thrive and should be placed in a sheltered location.

Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is another beautiful privacy shrub with a reputation for being versatile and easy to take care of. It is quick to grow and can reach up to 25 feet in height. Wax myrtle can be grown in hardiness zones 7 to 11, although it is usually semi-evergreen in colder locations. This shrub thrives in well-drained soils and a sunny location, but can do well in more shadier areas. You can prune wax myrtle to keep its shape when growing it as a privacy bush to ensure it suits the space around your patio. 

Inkberry (Ilex glabra) is a fantastic dense shrub that can get to a spread and height of around 8 feet. Its luscious dark green leaves are perfect for some winter color, with its spring flowers being a favorite for honeybees and other pollinators. Inkberry can be grown in zones 4 to 11 and prefers well-drained, acidic soil, although it is fairly tolerant of wetness. You can plant inkberry in full sun or partial shade. The berries may cause vomiting in people, so only plant this where children won't be tempted to eat them.

Quintessentially festive, the American holly (Ilex opaca) has iconic dark, spiny leaves and bright red berries that appear in the fall and last well into winter. You can grow American holly in zones 5 to 9, with this evergreen preferring moist, acidic soil that has decent drainage. It can be grown in both full sun and partial shade, but should be protected from the harsh afternoon sun in warmer climates. Protection from winter winds and winter sun.. If you decide to add this to your patio, be aware that the berries are poisonous. 

Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a common evergreen shrub with thick, green foliage. There is a range of cultivars of eastern arborvitae to choose from, ranging from those that grow in a small, dense globe shape to others with a tall, narrow form. Explore the options available to see what may best suit your space. Suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 7, eastern arborvitae tolerates a range of environments but does best in moist, well-drained loam. Position this shrub in full sun or partial shade and avoid exposed, windy locations.

With its dark foliage and its pink, frilly spring flowers, the Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense) brings a unique look to your patio. Suitable for growing in hardiness zones 7 to 9, this evergreen shrub should be planted in a spot with full sun and some afternoon shade. Chinese fringe flower does well in moist, acidic, well-drained soil. In cooler locations, it should be protected against winter winds and weather. Mulching around the roots will also help it stay happy over the colder months and help the soil retain moisture. 

Camellia (Camellia japonica) is a large, flowering evergreen shrub native to Japan, China, and Korea. As a winter bloomer, it adds more than just foliage in the colder months. It is hardy in zones 7 to 9 and suits moist, rich, well-drained soils. Consistent moisture is necessary to keep camellia shrubs happy, but make sure you don't let the soil get overly wet. Camellia does best in shade or partial shade with shelter from winter winds. Although slow to grow, camellias are long-lived shrubs that will bring privacy and color to your winter patio for years.

For dramatic foliage, you may want to consider red tip photinia (Photinia x fraseri). The new growth of this shrub is a stunning red color, with the foliage turning to a deep shade of green after two to four weeks. This shrub can reach 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, growing rapidly to create a tall privacy hedge. It can grow well in most soils, but prefers rich, well-drained soil. A major downside to this shrub is its foul-smelling flowers. If you eat out on your patio regularly, you may want to pick something else.

If you are lucky enough to have a large patio, consider planting eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana) around it for a native, evergreen option. This tree is hardy to zones 2 to 9 and can reach a size of 30 to 40 feet. You can grow eastern redcedar in both dry and moist soils, with the tree being very adaptable to soil conditions. However, overly wet soil can cause issues. If you do plant this tree, ensure that you give it enough space so it does not overtake other plants and shrubs. 

Ornamental grasses are a great way to bring texture and structure to your privacy planting, and big sacaton (Sporobolus wrightii) is a fantastic option for hardiness zones 5 to 8. This grass grows to a height of 7 or 8 feet, with long, graceful leaves arching out of the base. Although green in the summer months, the foliage of big sacaton turns a stunning golden color in winter. Big sacaton needs full sun to thrive, but can do well in a range of soil conditions. It even can tolerate damp soils. 

Another popular holly variety that brings winter interest and privacy is the lusterleaf holly (Ilex latifolia). As you can tell by its name, the leaves of this plant are large and glossy, bringing beautiful foliage to the last season of the year. This shrub is the biggest variety of holly, with the ability to reach a height and width of 25 feet. It is hardy in zones 6 to 9 and should be planted in acidic, well-drained soil. Like other holly plants, the berries of the lusterleaf holly are poisonous. 

Another impressive ornamental grass that doubles as a stylish natural privacy screen is the giant needle grass (Celtica gigantea). The flower stems of semi-evergreen grass grow to around 8 feet in height, reaching outwards in dramatic arches. You can grow giant needle grass in hardiness zones 5 to 8 in a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. It prefers moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate dry soil. As it is semi-evergreen, it may lose some of its leaves in the winter in colder regions. 

Fragrant tea olive (Osmanthus fragrans) is a dense evergreen shrub that can have a height and spread of up to 15 feet. Its shiny, dark leaves are a great addition to your patio, creating a thick layer of privacy. You can grow fragrant tea olive in hardiness zones 8 to 11, and it can do well in both sun and partial shade. However, for warmer climates, a little shade to protect it from the afternoon heat is needed. It thrives in moist soil with decent drainage, but does tolerate drought once established.

For interesting winter foliage, consider bringing Japanese laurel (Aucuba japonica) into your patio garden. There is a range of cultivars of this bush available, with different types having different leaf markings. Whether you go spotty or stripy with your Japanese laurel is up to you, but you need to make sure you place the shrub in partial or full shade to keep the leaves looking their best. You can plant Japanese laurel in hardiness zones 7 to 10 in moist, well-drained soil. Japanese laurel grows well in containers to decorate patios and give you privacy. 

The hardy anise shrub (Illicium parviflorum) is a quick-growing shrub with beautiful yellow-green leaves that stay on the plant throughout the year. Native to Florida, you can grow this bush in zones 6 to 9. It prefers full or partial shade and can tolerate a range of different soil types. The hardy anise shrub can reach a height of 20 feet and a spread of 15 feet, but you can prune it to create a dense appearance. Be aware that the leaves, fruits, and seeds of this shrub are poisonous. 

The leatherleaf viburnum (Viburnum rhytidophyllum) brings rough, textured foliage to your patio throughout the seasons and clusters of small, white flowers in late spring. Although evergreen, it does lose its leaves in northern climates, so check your location before opting for this one. Hardy to zones 5 to 8, leatherleaf viburnum can be grown in both full sun and partial shade. To keep it happy, plant it in well-drained, moist, acidic soil. You should also ensure that you plant it somewhere that is protected against harsh winter winds. 

The rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) can reach a height of 15 feet and a spread of 12 feet. Hardy to zones 3 to 7, this shrub does best in partial or full shade as it needs protection from afternoon sun. It should be planted in moist, well-draining, acidic soil and protected against strong winds. The rosebay rhododendron blooms in the summertime, with dainty pink and white blooms covering the bush. However, as an evergreen shrub, its leathery, dark leaves stay on the plant throughout the seasons to add texture and privacy to your patio. 

Willowleaf cotoneaster (Cotoneaster salicifolius) is a semi-evergreen to evergreen shrub that can reach a height of 3 feet and a width of 6 feet. It has long, glossy green leaves throughout the year, which can develop a purple tinge in the winter. The fruits of this bush also bring some winter interest to your patio, with its red berries developing in fall and staying on the bush throughout the later months of the year. The willowleaf cotoneaster is hardy to zones 6 to 8 and can be planted in both full sun and partial shade.