20 Popular Privacy Hedges and Bushes for Central Texas Landscapes
By Innovation Grounds
Creating natural privacy in your yard doesn’t have to mean building a fence. If you live in Central Texas, where the climate is hot and water conservation is key, there are many beautiful, low-maintenance privacy hedges and bushes that thrive here. In this guide, we’ll cover 20 popular options for homeowners looking to add privacy, structure, and beauty to their outdoor spaces.
Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
Drought-Tolerant | Evergreen | Full Sun
Silvery foliage and purple blooms make this native shrub a favorite for low-maintenance privacy screens.
Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Fast-Growing | Fragrant | Semi-Evergreen
With dense, aromatic foliage, Wax Myrtle makes a great fast-growing screen for Austin-area homes.
Red Tip Photinia
Colorful | Dense Growth | Partial to Full Sun
Known for its vibrant red leaves and dense form, Photinia adds a pop of color and privacy year-round.
Ligustrum (Privet)
Fast-Growing | Formal Look | Easy to Prune
Ideal for shaped hedges and tall screens, ligustrum adapts well to trimming and is a privacy classic.
Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
Native | Berries for Birds | Evergreen
This Texas native is dense, hardy, and available in dwarf or standard sizes—great for privacy and wildlife.
Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Taller Alternative | Year-Round Privacy | Deer-Resistant
Grows up to 20 feet tall and stays lush year-round. Excellent for suburban screening in hilly terrain.
Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora)
Fragrant Blooms | Native | Slow Grower
Offers privacy with added visual interest in spring from purple grape-scented flowers.
Bamboo Muhly (Muhlenbergia dumosa)
Soft Texture | Fast-Spreading | Full Sun
A grass-like plant that gives airy privacy without heavy bulk—great for modern designs.
Anacacho Orchid Tree (Bauhinia congesta)
Ornamental | Compact | Seasonal Privacy
Compact flowering tree that doubles as a privacy bush with soft white blooms.
10. Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
Evergreen | Rapid Growth | Low Maintenance
Fast-growing and dense, it’s perfect for large natural screens along fence lines.
Arizona Cypress (Cupressus arizonica)
Tall | Columnar | Evergreen
A privacy wall in tree form, this drought-tolerant beauty is perfect for larger lots.
Dwarf Burford Holly
Compact | Glossy Leaves | Tidy Appearance
An ideal solution for smaller properties needing lower privacy hedges.
Bamboo (Clumping Types Only)
Fast-Growing | Tropical Look | Wind Barrier
Opt for non-invasive clumping bamboo to build a lush privacy wall quickly.
Pittosporum (Wheeler’s Dwarf)
Compact | Rounded Form | Silvery-Green Leaves
Good for partial shade and great for low hedging in urban landscapes.
Japanese Ligustrum
Glossy Green | Tall | Low Water Needs
A formal evergreen option often used in commercial properties for privacy.
Texas Lantana (Shrub Form)
Colorful | Butterfly Magnet | Seasonal Privacy
With bright blooms and dense form, it adds seasonal privacy and pollinator value.
Abelia (Glossy Abelia)
Long Bloom Season | Semi-Evergreen | Tidy Habit
Blooms from spring through fall and works great as a flowering privacy hedge.
Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)
Ornamental | Open Form | Flowering Tree-Shrub
While not dense, it creates visual separation and adds color to dry spaces.
Elaeagnus (Silverberry)
Hardy | Fast-Growing | Fragrant Flowers
Often overlooked, this super-tough shrub fills in quickly and handles Texas heat with ease.
Juniper (Blue Point or Spartan)
Evergreen | Pyramidal Shape | Formal Privacy
Great for tall, narrow hedging when space is limited but privacy is needed.
Conclusion
Choosing the right privacy hedge depends on your yard size, sun exposure, and aesthetic preferences. These 20 options offer a range of solutions for Central Texas homeowners who want privacy without sacrificing beauty or water-efficiency.
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