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Ken Lain, the Mountain Gardener, tackles a familiar challenge for homeowners who want a little more separation between their outdoor space and the neighbors. In Prescott’s demanding mountain climate, creating privacy quickly means finding plants that can grow with purpose while standing up to intense sun, cold winters, wind, and dry conditions. With the right choices and a strong start, a more secluded backyard may be closer than you think.
There’s a specific kind of “neighborly love” we talk about here in Prescott. Usually, it involves a healthy dose of green space between your patio and theirs. I get asked the same question at the garden center almost every day: “Ken, how can I hide that neighbor’s RV (or their messy backyard) as fast as possible?”
In our mountain climate, you can’t just plant any tropical hedge and hope for the best. You need “Mountain Tough” survivors that can handle a June drought and a January freeze while putting on height like they’re in a race. If you are looking for instant seclusion, these are the top five speedsters that won’t let you down.
Deodar Cedar
Deodar Cedar is the undisputed king of fast growth. This isn’t just a tree; it’s an architectural masterpiece with soft, pendulous branches and a distinct blue-green hue. In the Prescott area, a happy Deodar can add 2 to 3 feet of new growth each year.
Deodar Cedar
It loves our sun and, once established, is incredibly drought-tolerant. Because it can reach 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide, it’s the ultimate choice for blocking out a multi-story house or a tall street light. Just give it space to breathe; don’t crowd this one against a fence.
Arizona Cypress
This is my personal favorite for a native-looking screen. Think of it as the ‘Alligator Juniper’s faster-growing cousin.’ The Arizona Cypress, specifically varieties like ‘Blue Ice’ or ‘Carolina Sapphire,’ offers a striking silvery-blue foliage that looks spectacular against our granite boulders.
Arizona Cypress
It’s built for our thin air and intense UV rays. You can expect it to hit 20 feet tall in just a few seasons. It grows in a dense, upright pyramid, making it a perfect ‘living wall’ that requires very little water once the roots take hold.
Austrian Pine
When you have a neighbor with a two-story view right into your kitchen, you call in the Austrian Pine. It doesn’t just grow tall; it grows thick. The long, dark green needles create a visual and physical barrier that even the strongest Prescott winds can’t whistle through. It’s the best choice for the perimeter of your property where you need a permanent “no-see-um” zone.
Austrian Pine
Spartan Juniper
If your yard is a bit tighter and you don’t have room for a sprawling cedar, the Spartan Juniper is your best friend. It grows in a narrow, formal column that stays dense and dark green year-round.
Juniper
What I love about Spartans is their sheer resilience. They don’t mind the wind, they don’t mind the heat, and the deer generally find them quite unappetizing. They are the “soldiers” of the privacy world—sturdy, reliable, and always on duty.
Silverberry (Elaeagnus)
Not every screen has to be a towering tree. Sometimes you just need a thick, 8-10′ foot hedge to block a line of sight. The Silverberry is one of the most rugged shrubs I know. It has unique, leathery leaves with a silver underside that catches the light beautifully.
Silverberry
Red Clusterberry Cotoneaster
For those that want privacy but don’t want a row of “soldier” trees marching across the property line, this is your plant. It has a graceful, fountain-like habit. It grows quickly to about 10′ feet tall and just as wide. In the spring, it’s covered in white blooms, and by September, it’s loaded with red berries that the robins love. It’s an evergreen that provides a “soft” screen that looks natural and intentional.
Cotoneaster
It’s an evergreen that grows aggressively. In fact, you’ll likely find yourself pruning it once a year just to keep it in check! In late autumn, it produces tiny flowers that are so fragrant they can scent an entire city block. It’s a ‘working’ plant that gives back to the gardener.
Ken’s Pro Tip: How to Plant a Fast-Growing Tree
Watters Premium Mulch
The secret to ‘instant’ isn’t just the plant; it’s the preparation. Our Prescott soil is often more like ‘decomposed granite’ than actual dirt. When you plant, always use Watters Premium Mulch to break up that clay and hold moisture.
Feed your new privacy wall with 7-4-4 All Purpose Food in the spring and fall. This ensures the plant isn’t just surviving, but actually has the fuel to put on those extra feet of growth you’re looking for.
Happy gardening, and enjoy your newfound peace and quiet!
Join Me at the Garden Center!
Learning the ropes takes time, but you don’t have to do it alone. We host free garden classes every Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Watters Garden Center.
September 12: Unbreakable Plants for Prescott Gardens
September 19: Fast-Growing Plants for Secret Garden Privacy
September 26: Stunning Autumn Containers Everyone Notices
Until next week, I’ll be helping new local gardeners plant privacy here at Watters Garden Center.
Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Flowers.com.
Get more gardening tips from Watters Garden Center in the Mountain Gardener Column on Signals A Z.com.
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