Holly

• There are more than 400 species of holly. Some of the taller species can reach over 50 feet and can serve as attractive privacy screens, while the smaller species can serve as low hedges. Japanese hollies are small evergreens that grow from three to 10 feet tall, depending on the variety. They have spineless leaves and produce black berries. The lusterleaf holly can reach up to 30 feet and its leaves can grow as long as eight inches.
  
  

Boxwood

• Boxwoods are shrubs often used in Southern landscaping. Boxwood can be easily pruned into any shape you wish. When fully grown, boxwoods can reach 10 to 15 feet. However, they grow at a slow rate, less than one foot per year. There are numerous cultivars of boxwood, including Wintergreen, which stays green all winter, and Northland, which is hardy and has dark green foliage. However, boxwood is susceptible to insect infestations, including mites and leaf miners.
  
  

Japanese Yew

• The Japanese yew is a versatile shrub that can grow in both full sunlight and heavy shade. When mature, the yew can grow from 10 to 40 feet and works well as a hedge. The Japanese yew requires moist, well-drained soil to thrive. For a large hedge, try the Capitata cultivar, which grows to 40 feet in a pyramid form. For something smaller, try the Densa cultivar, which only grows to four feet tall and eight feet wide.
  
  

Arborvitae

• Another shrub that works well for a hedge is the arborvitae. Native to the northeastern United States, the arborvitae has a long history of use as a hedge and privacy screen. Arborvitae grows best in full sunlight but can grow in partial shade. The hedges will grow leggy if planted in full shade. When mature, the shrubs grow into a pyramid shape 40 to 50 feet tall. Arborvitae prefers moist but well-drained soil.