Beyond Boring: How to Make Hedges & Screens Work for Your Landscape

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We’ve all seen them. Nobody loves them. Hedges are the workhorses of the landscape—strictly utilitarian, rarely exciting. A solid wall of plain green shrubs might not be thrilling, but it’s better than staring at a busy highway or your neighbor’s junk pile. Right?

Yes, absolutely. That’s why they’re everywhere. They do serve a practical, functional purpose; that’s why they’re so common. Blocking the view of your patio, covering a concrete foundation, or creating a year-round privacy barrier is no small task. And aside from an actual fence or wall, few options work as reliably as hedge plants, like the ever-popular Emerald Green arborvitae.

But here’s the thing: hedges don’t have to be boring.

Why Evergreen Screening Works

Evergreens may not have flashy flowers or dramatic fall colors, but they offer year-round coverage, structure, and reliability—exactly what you need from a privacy screen.

Take Emerald Green arborvitae, the gold standard of screening plants:
✔ Year-round color – No seasonal drop-off, just dependable green.
✔ Tall & narrow – Great for tight spaces.
✔ Dense foliage – No gaps, no see-through spots, just solid screening.
✔ Tough & adaptable – Handles a range of growing conditions.

Need something larger? Norway spruce gives towering coverage.
Something smaller? Boxwood offers a neat, refined screen.

No matter the space, there’s an evergreen for the job.

Making Screening Plants More Than Just a Barrier

The real trick? Pairing them with plants that bring personality. A row of arborvitae makes an excellent backdrop for:
Ornamental grasses – Softens the look and adds movement.
Shrub roses & hydrangeas – Pops of color against deep green.
Variegated or golden evergreens – Layers of texture & contrast.

Even within all-evergreen screens, you can mix varieties to add depth.
Highlights arborvitae – A bright yellow twist on Emerald Green.
Ember Waves arborvitae – Golden-orange tones with softer foliage.

Privacy That’s Functional & Beautiful

It’s true—most screening plants aren’t traditionally ornamental. They don’t bloom. They’re not bright red in fall. They don’t have unique textures. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be visually interesting when planted thoughtfully.

A hedge doesn’t have to just hide something ugly—it can enhance the space around it.

Even without flowers or bright colors, screening plants layer beautifully together. The contrast of different greens, shapes, and textures makes a hedge feel intentional rather than just practical.

Hedges Aren’t Just a Chore

Let’s be honest: screening plants often feel like something you "have to" plant rather than something exciting. But with a little creativity, they can do more than just block a view. Instead of settling for a lifeless green wall, use them as a design feature—a backdrop, a contrast, or the foundation for a more dynamic landscape. With the right plants, your hedge can be just as good-looking as it is useful.