Achieve Privacy Quickly with These 9 Fast-Growing Hedges
Posted on 31/05/2025
Achieve Privacy Quickly with These 9 Fast-Growing Hedges
Do you want to enjoy your backyard without the prying eyes of neighbors? Need a lush, green fence that establishes boundaries and offers instant tranquility? Fast-growing hedges are a perfect solution! When it comes to quick privacy screening, few landscaping choices work with the natural beauty and efficiency of fast-growing privacy hedges.
In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn about nine top options to create an effective, green barrier in no time. Discover the best fastest-growing privacy plants, how to select the right hedge for your climate and needs, and expert tips for a thriving, long-lasting living fence.
Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?
Privacy in outdoor spaces is more important than ever. A dense hedge provides:
- Visual privacy: Shields patios, pools, and yards from view.
- Noise reduction: Absorbs sound from roads and neighbors.
- Wind protection: Acts as a windbreak for delicate plants and entertaining areas.
- Wildlife habitat: Creates a living environment for birds and pollinators.
- Instant curb appeal: Green walls add value and beauty to any property.
The fastest-growing hedges can transform empty borders into beautiful, private sanctuaries in just a few seasons. Read on for the best varieties, including evergreen shrubs and flowering options.
Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Instant Privacy
Below you'll find our expert recommendations for fast-growing privacy plants tailored for various climates and styles. Each selection is celebrated for its lush growth, density, and hardiness. Let's dive in!
1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)
- Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 5-8
- Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
The Green Giant Arborvitae is a superstar among fast-growing privacy trees. It boasts a rich green color year-round, forming a dense, columnar wall. Being disease and deer-resistant, Green Giant is virtually carefree, seldom requiring pruning if you prefer a natural shape. Perfect for large screens, it can reach 30-50 feet tall--ideal for those needing both height and thickness quickly.
2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 3-8 (varies by species)
- Sun requirements: Full sun to part shade
Privet hedges are famous for their ability to be clipped into tidy, formal shapes or grown wild for an informal, bushy screen. Fast-growing and low-maintenance, privet can handle various soil types and urban pollution. Fragrant white blooms in summer add to their appeal, though remember to trim after flowering to prevent berries from spreading seeds.
3. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 6-9
- Sun requirements: Full sun to deep shade
If you need a lush, large-leafed hedge that tolerates shady conditions, Cherry Laurel is an outstanding choice. Its glossy, evergreen foliage provides privacy and a sophisticated look. White flower spikes appear in spring, followed by small, dark berries, attracting birds. Cherry Laurel can be pruned into shape or left to form a natural barrier for fast privacy.
4. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
- Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 7-11
- Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
This fast-growing evergreen shrub is valued in warm climates for its aromatic foliage and soft, billowy appearance. Wax Myrtle tolerates poor soils and salt, making it popular along coastal areas. It offers quick coverage and can grow up to 20 feet if left untrimmed. Insect and disease resistant, Wax Myrtle is an excellent low-maintenance option for rapid privacy.
5. Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 2-9
- Sun requirements: Full sun
If you desire rugged, year-round privacy, Eastern Redcedar delivers. This native juniper is adaptable to a variety of soils and climates and provides dense, aromatic foliage that maintains its green color through winter. Its pyramidal form makes it suitable for windbreaks and large screens on larger properties, offering robust and long-lasting privacy hedges.
6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Tip')
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 7-9
- Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Famous for its showy red new growth that matures to glossy green, Red Tip Photinia makes a dramatic hedge, especially in spring. It responds beautifully to regular shearing for a crisp, uniform look. Photinia thrives in warmer climates and produces sprays of small white flowers. Ensure good air circulation to prevent leaf spot diseases and water at the base during dry weather.
7. Pittosporum (Mock Orange) (Pittosporum tobira)
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Hardiness zones: 8-10
- Sun requirements: Full sun to part shade
Common in mild regions, Pittosporum stands out for its sweet orange-blossom-scented flowers in spring and dense, leathery leaves. Popular as a fast-growing privacy plant for hedges and topiary, Pittosporum handles urban conditions, salt, and drought. Its manageable size makes it an attractive choice for residential gardens where space is at a premium.
8. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties, e.g., Bambusa spp.)
- Growth rate: 3-5+ feet per year (sometimes more!)
- Hardiness zones: 5-11 (varies by species)
- Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
When absolute speed is your top priority, bamboo is unrivaled. Select non-invasive clumping types for control (avoid running bamboo, which can spread aggressively). Clumping bamboos grow upright and dense, forming a dramatic, Asian-inspired privacy wall in a single season. They're excellent for modern or tropical designs and serve as noise buffers as well.
9. Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year (can be more in warm climates)
- Hardiness zones: 8-11
- Sun requirements: Full sun
For southern gardens, oleander is a vibrant, fast-growing shrub bursting with blooms. Flowers range from pink and red to white and yellow, appearing from spring through fall. Oleander is drought- and salt-tolerant, perfect for screening patios and poolsides. (Note: Oleander is toxic--plant away from pets and small children.)
How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Needs
With so many quick privacy hedge plants available, how do you pick the right one for your garden or landscape? Consider the following factors:
- Climate and Hardiness: Match the plant to your USDA zone and rainfall patterns.
- Soil and Drainage: Test your soil pH and drainage; amend as needed for healthy roots.
- Size and Scale: Determine your desired hedge height, width, and overall footprint.
- Evergreen or Deciduous: Choose evergreen species for year-round privacy; deciduous for seasonal interest.
- Speed of Growth: Some species require more pruning to maintain shape; faster is not always better for small spaces.
- Maintenance Level: Consider how much time you can devote to pruning, watering, and care.
- Toxicity and Safety: Avoid toxic plants if pets or children will play near the hedge.
Pro Garden Tips for Fast Privacy Screening
- Start with healthy nursery stock: Choose disease-free, well-rooted young plants.
- Space for success: Plant close enough for quick coverage, but give each plant plenty of room to spread and develop strong roots.
- Water deeply and regularly: Especially during the first 1-2 years after planting your fast-growing hedge.
- Use mulch: Maintain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil with a thick layer of mulch around your new hedge.
- Feed with balanced fertilizer: Encourage vigorous, healthy growth for denser coverage.
- Prune for bushiness: Nipping the tops of young plants encourages lateral growth and a fuller hedge.
- Monitor for pests and disease: Early intervention prevents common problems from getting out of hand.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous Hedges: Which Works Best for Fast Privacy?
Most fast-growing hedges for privacy are evergreen, thanks to their year-round coverage. But don't overlook deciduous hedges for seasonal flair and fast coverage. Here's a quick comparison:
| Evergreen Hedges | Deciduous Hedges |
|---|---|
| Provide privacy all year | Privacy disappears in winter (leaf off) |
| Require less cleanup (no leaf drop) | Bright fall color, flowers, or berries |
| Often more formal appearance | Can be faster growing in spring/summer |
Top Evergreen Choices
- Green Giant Arborvitae
- Cherry Laurel
- Wax Myrtle
- Eastern Redcedar
Top Deciduous or Multi-Season Picks
- Privet (semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on zone)
- Photinia (partially evergreen in mild climates)
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Privacy Hedges
How quickly do fast-growing hedges provide privacy?
Many popular hedge species reach 6-8 feet in height in as little as 3 years if planted as 2-3 foot nursery stock. Some, like Bamboo, can create a green wall in one season!
How far apart should I plant hedge shrubs?
This varies--check the mature width of your plants. A good rule of thumb is spacing them 2/3 the mature width apart for quick, solid coverage. For example, if a shrub grows 6' wide, plant them 4' apart.
What is the fastest-growing hedge for my region?
The fastest hedge for privacy depends on your climate. In cooler regions, Green Giant Arborvitae and Privet are hard to beat. For warmer climates, consider Wax Myrtle, Oleander, and clumping Bamboo. Always check local regulations: some species (like certain Bamboos or Privets) may be invasive in your area.
Conclusion: Create a Private Paradise with Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges
Establishing a private, peaceful outdoor retreat is easier and faster than ever with the right fast-growing hedge. From stately evergreens to flowering screens, each of the nine options described above offers a unique balance of beauty, density, and speed--ensuring there's a perfect solution for every landscape. By combining smart plant selection with proven care techniques, you'll achieve lush, green walls that enhance your home's privacy, style, and ecological value in no time.
Ready to get started? Choose one (or a mix!) of these quick privacy hedge plants today and watch your garden transform into a secluded sanctuary in just a few short seasons!
Kristine, a skilled gardener, boasts extensive experience offering diverse landscaping and gardening services over many years. Additionally, she is a proficient writer focusing on Eco-friendly gardening.