9 Hedges Offering Swift Growth for Greater Privacy

Posted on 19/05/2025

9 Hedges Offering Swift Growth for Greater Privacy

Looking to create a secluded escape right in your backyard? Privacy is a top priority for many homeowners, especially those living in busy neighborhoods or near roads. Whether you want to minimize noise, block unsightly views, or shield your family from prying eyes, installing fast-growing privacy hedges is a natural and aesthetic solution. This comprehensive guide highlights 9 hedges that offer swift growth for greater privacy, their unique characteristics, and tips for successful cultivation. Let's transform your landscape into a private sanctuary!

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Privacy hedges offer more than just seclusion. These living wall barriers boost curb appeal, provide shelter for wildlife, and even act as windbreaks. Unlike fences, fast-growing hedges bring a touch of natural beauty and can be shaped to suit your desired style. The right quickly-growing privacy hedge will fill gaps in just a couple of seasons, providing a lush shield faster than you might think.

• Natural security: Thick, thorny, or dense hedges can serve as effective deterrents to unwanted guests.
• Year-round protection: Many varieties offer evergreen foliage for privacy throughout every season.
• Visual appeal: Hedges can be sculpted and maintained into various shapes and heights, adding dimension to your landscape.
• Wildlife habitat: Fast-growing privacy shrubs provide nesting sites and food for birds and pollinators.

What To Consider Before Planting a Fast-Growing Hedge

Choosing the right plant for your living privacy screen is crucial. Consider these factors to ensure your new hedge thrives:

• Climate and Zone: Make sure the hedge species matches your local growing zone and climate conditions.
• Soil and Sunlight: Some hedges prefer well-draining soil and full sun while others tolerate partial shade.
• Desired Height: Fast-growing hedges can range from 4 feet to over 20 feet tall--select one that fits your needs.
• Evergreen or Deciduous: If year-round privacy is important, choose an evergreen variety.
• Maintenance: All fast-growing hedges demand periodic pruning, but some species are more labor-intensive than others.

Now, let's explore nine of the best fast-growing hedges for privacy, their standout features, and tips for success.

1. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Why It's a Top Fast-Growing Privacy Screen

Thuja Green Giant is renowned as one of the fastest-growing evergreens available. Capable of growing up to 3-5 feet per year, this hybrid cypress is an excellent choice for quickly creating dense, tall privacy hedges in USDA zones 5-9.

• Reaches 30-40 feet in height when mature, but easily trimmed to desired size.
• Resists many common pests and diseases.
• Drought-tolerant once established.

Best Uses: Large property lines, windbreaks, screening out multi-story neighbors.

2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

A Classic Choice for Dense, Quick Privacy

Privet hedges have long been favored for their lush, full growth and adaptability. They can put on 2-3 feet of growth per year and tolerate heavy pruning, making them ideal for formal or informal privacy screens. Privets are semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on the species and climate.

• Height: 6-15 feet, easily shaped to suit your preference.
• Resilient, low-maintenance, and tolerant of urban pollution.
• White, fragrant flowers attract butterflies in late spring.

Best Uses: Compact boundaries, urban gardens where a neat appearance is desired.

3. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus - Cherry Laurel)

Lustrous Leaves and Vigorous Growth

Cherry Laurel is prized for its shiny, evergreen foliage and robust growth, shooting up at a rate of 2-3 feet per year in optimal conditions. Tolerant of shade and urban conditions, this classic hedge is well-suited to both residential gardens and large-scale planting.

• Mature height ranges from 15 to 30 feet, with excellent trimming tolerance.
• Survives in clay, loam, and sandy soils; drought tolerant.
• Produces scented white flower spikes in spring.

Best Uses: Large gardens, sloped watersheds, or spaces needing fast evergreen screening.

4. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

A Record-Setting Grower for Immediate Privacy

Leyland Cypress, referred to as the king of privacy hedges, can skyrocket up to 3-4 feet each year. Its feathery, blue-green foliage creates dense, uniform barriers, ideal for instant privacy. Suitable for USDA zones 6-10.

• Mature height often exceeds 40-60 feet if untrimmed; easily managed with regular pruning.
• Tolerates salt spray, making it excellent for coastal gardens.
• Withstands a variety of soil types but prefers well-draining conditions.

Best Uses: Large perimeter screens, windbreaks, fast tall hedges.

5. Red-Tipped Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Vivid Color and Privacy All Year

Photinia hedges combine bold, red-tinted new foliage with year-round coverage. These vigorous, evergreen shrubs can grow 2-3 feet annually, rewarding you with a splash of spring color before maturing to deep green. They thrive best in USDA zones 7-9.

• Height: Usually 10-15 feet, can be maintained at smaller sizes with pruning.
• Disease resistant varieties now available for easier care.
• Brilliant hedge for adding ornamental value as well as privacy.

Best Uses: Decorative boundaries, driveways, mixed evergreen screens.

6. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp. & Bambusa spp.)

The Fastest-Growing Natural Privacy Screen

Bamboo is truly the champion of speedy hedges--certain varieties can grow over 3 feet per day in peak summer! While some bamboos are invasive, clumping (non-invasive) bamboo varieties offer tall, dense screens with minimal maintenance headaches. Always verify the species before planting.

• Suitable heights range from 10 to over 25 feet depending on variety.
• Unique texture and movement; excellent for Asian-inspired gardens.
• Tolerates poor soils and some shade, but prefers regular water.

Best Uses: Contemporary landscapes, narrow spaces, where rapid coverage is needed.

7. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Elegant Evergreen Hedges With Minimal Fuss

Arborvitae is a northern climate favorite, offering a dense, conical form and bright green color all year. Popular cultivars such as 'Emerald Green' can add 1-3 feet per year in good conditions. Perfect for compact spaces seeking reliable screening.

• Grows 10-15 feet high when mature, easily shaped by trimming.
• Adaptable to a range of soils and climates.
• Low maintenance and generally pest-resistant.

Best Uses: Small yards, foundation plantings, formal privacy screens.

8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Fragrant, Versatile, and Rapid Growth

Wax Myrtle offers fast growth--about 2-3 feet per year--with aromatic, evergreen foliage. Thriving in USDA zones 7-10, this native North American shrub is salt and drought tolerant, making it a favorite for coastal settings or tough urban conditions.

• Height: Generally 10-20 feet tall; can be pruned as needed.
• Deer resistant and supports native wildlife.
• Light, airy foliage adds texture and movement to the landscape.

Best Uses: Native gardens, shelterbelts, informal privacy hedges.

9. Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Tough, Thorny, and Decorative Privacy

Pyracantha, or Firethorn, is a thorny, evergreen shrub that grows up to 2 feet per year, forming impenetrable walls of green. Its showy clusters of white spring flowers and brilliant orange or red berries make it a visual standout, as well as a security feature.

• Mature height varies from 6 to 18 feet.
• Excellent for wildlife, providing berries for birds and shelter.
• Forms dense, spiny growth ideal for added security.

Best Uses: Security hedges, wildlife habitats, ornamental privacy screens.

Tips for Planting and Maintaining Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Successful privacy hedges depend not only on fast-growing plants but also on proper planting and care. Here are essential tips for getting the best out of your quick growth hedge screens:

• Spacing: Follow recommended spacing to ensure your hedge fills out quickly without overcrowding, which can lead to disease.
• Watering: Establish new hedges with regular deep watering until well-rooted.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous growth.
• Pruning: Trim at least once or twice yearly to encourage bushiness and maintain desired shape and size.
• Mulching: Add a layer of organic mulch to help retain soil moisture and keep weeds at bay.

Benefits of Planting Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy

• Immediate Privacy: Block views and create your own tranquil retreat faster than you might expect.
• Noise Reduction: Thick hedges absorb and deflect street or road noise, promoting a quieter outdoor living area.
• Increased Property Value: Attractive, well-maintained hedges boost curb appeal and can enhance real estate value.
• Environmental Value: Hedges filter dust and pollutants while supporting birds and pollinators.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?

Bamboo and Leyland Cypress are among the fastest-growing privacy hedges. For super-quick, tall screening, these options provide results within a year or two.

Which evergreen hedge plant is best for year-round privacy?

Thuja Green Giant, Laurel, and Arborvitae are top evergreen choices, giving dense, lush coverage through all seasons.

Are there any low-maintenance fast-growing privacy hedges?

Arborvitae and Wax Myrtle require minimal ongoing care once established, making them excellent choices for hassle-free privacy.

How far apart should I plant fast-growing hedges?

Spacing varies by species: for example, Thuja Green Giant typically needs 5-6 feet between plants, while Privet and Laurel can be 2-3 feet apart for a thick screen.

Conclusion: Create the Ultimate Private Oasis With Fast-Growing Hedges

With so many fast-growing hedges for privacy to choose from, there's a perfect fit for every yard, climate, and design vision. Whether you gravitate toward the classic lines of Privet, the quick coverage of Leyland Cypress, or the unique allure of Bamboo, strategic hedge planting will soon reward you with a natural, living privacy wall.

Don't wait years for your backyard to feel like a sanctuary. Choose one--or a creative combination--of these nine swift-growing privacy hedges and start enjoying peace and seclusion in your outdoor space. Your tranquil retreat is only a few seasons away!