Bushes That Camouflage a Patio

Zone 4

• In USDA zone 4, average annual low temperatures dip to minus 30 degrees F. Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) is hardy in zones 4 to 8. This deciduous shrub grows quickly to 10 feet tall with an 8-foot spread and has blue- to dark-green foliage. It blooms with fragrant, white-to-pink flowers in winter and works well as a screening plant. Winter honeysuckle tolerates severe pruning, drought and grows best in moist, well-drained soil and sun to partial shade. Persian lilacs (Syringa x persica) grow quickly to 8 feet tall with 10-foot spreads. These deciduous shrubs screen with both their dark foliage and their clusters of fragrant, pale purple flowers. Persian lilacs are hardy in zones 4 through 7 and grow best in sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.

Zone 5

• Low temperatures in USDA zone 5 reach minus 20. The spreading euonymous (Euonymus kiautschovicus) is hardy in zones 5 to 8 and grows to 10 feet tall. This evergreen has glossy, dark, serrated foliage and produces pink fruits. The oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) provides screening with its 8-inch-wide, leathery foliage and provides color and with its clusters of white and pink flowers. This 8-foot-tall deciduous shrub is hardy in zones 5 through 9. Both shrubs thrive in sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil.

Zone 6

• Shrubs hardy to USDA zone 6 tolerate average lows to minus 10. The thorny eleagnus (Elaeagnus pungens) grows quickly to 15 feet tall with a 10-foot spread. This evergreen has dense, arching branches covered with shiny, silver-green foliage. It tolerates salt, pollution and drought. Thorny eleanus bushes are hardy in zones 6 through 9 and grow well in sun to partial shade and dry to wet soil. Chinese privets (Ligustrum sinense) grow very rapidly, reaching heights of 15 feet with a similar spread. These evergreens are hardy in zones 6 through 9 and grow well in a range of site conditions. They have dark, shiny foliage and attract birds with their waxy black berries.

Zone 7

• The average lows for USDA zone 7 fall to zero degrees. Waxleaf privet (Ligustrum lucidum) is hardy in zones 7 through 10 and grows rapidly to 20 feet tall with a 15-foot spread. This evergreen shrub has 6-inch-long, lustrous foliage and produces long-lasting blue-black berries. Waxleaf privets prefer sun to partial shade and tolerate a variety of soils. Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinensis) also grows quickly and is hardy in zones 7 through 9b. This evergreen thrives in sun to partial shade and acidic, fertile soil. It tolerates drought and severe pruning and has glossy, round, dark foliage.