9 Hedges That Offer Speedy Growth for Privacy

Posted on 23/05/2025

9 Hedges That Offer Speedy Growth for Privacy

Looking to create a secluded retreat in your yard? Fast-growing hedges are a superb solution for privacy, wind protection, and natural beauty. Gardeners everywhere seek hedges that grow quickly for privacy screens--transforming open spaces into a tranquil green sanctuary. In this article, discover the top nine hedge plants that deliver rapid growth and dense coverage, along with tips on cultivation and care.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Choosing quick-growing privacy hedges brings multiple benefits:

• Immediate Screening: Enjoy privacy from neighbors and traffic in less time--sometimes within a single season.
• Noise Reduction: Lush hedges reduce unwanted sounds, creating a peaceful environment.
• Natural Beauty: A vibrant green wall enhances curb appeal and property value.
• Environmental Benefits: Privacy hedges absorb pollution, offer wildlife habitats, and improve air quality.

What Makes a Great Privacy Hedge?

Not all fast-growing shrubs make good privacy screens. An ideal hedge should:

• Grow Quickly--at least 24 inches per year
• Be Dense to block sight lines effectively
• Be Hardy and adaptable to your local climate
• Be Low-Maintenance and easy to prune, if needed
• Have evergreen foliage for year-round coverage (optional, but desirable for privacy all seasons)

9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is the king of instant privacy hedges. Growing up to 3-5 feet per year, it forms a dense, lush barrier with feathery, blue-green foliage. Mature Leyland Cypress can reach 60-70 feet tall, but can be kept lower with regular trimming.

• Best For: Large properties, tall privacy screens, windbreaks
• Sun: Full sun for fastest growth
• Water: Moderate; drought tolerant after establishment
• Tip: Plant 4-6 feet apart for the best results

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')

A favorite among gardeners seeking a quick privacy hedge, Green Giant Arborvitae grows 3-4 feet per year and forms a graceful, dense wall of greenery. It's disease-resistant and adaptable to a range of soil types.

• Best For: Formal or informal hedges, privacy barriers, windbreaks
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Even moisture (not soggy)
• Tip: Space about 5 feet apart for a solid screen

3. Privet (Ligustrum species)

Privet hedges are classic choices for fast-growing privacy screens. Varieties like Ligustrum vulgare and Ligustrum ovalifolium can put on up to 2-3 feet of growth per year when well cared for. Their adaptable nature allows use in both sun and partial shade.

• Best For: Medium-height hedges, topiary, traditional garden borders
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Average
• Tip: Regular pruning encourages fullness and shapes the hedge

4. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')

The Photinia stands out among fast-growing evergreen hedges for privacy with its eye-catching red new growth, maturing to glossy green. They grow up to 2 feet per year and produce springtime white flowers if left untrimmed.

• Best For: Vibrant hedges, visual interest, flowering screens
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Moderate
• Tip: Prune after new growth for vibrant color and a bushy hedge

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa species)

Bamboo is unrivaled for ultra-fast privacy barriers, shooting up as fast as 5 feet in a single season. Clumping varieties, like Bambusa multiplex, are best to avoid invasive spreading. Their tall, airy canes and lush foliage offer an exotic look.

• Best For: Modern gardens, urban privacy, sound barriers
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Regular during establishment, then tolerant of dry spells
• Tip: Use root barriers to prevent unwanted spread

6. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus and Prunus lusitanica)

Cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel are among the most robust rapid-growing hedges for privacy. Their large, glossy leaves form an impenetrable green wall, offering up to 2 feet of growth per year.

• Best For: Dense privacy screens, shaded sites, sound barriers
• Sun: Full sun to deep shade
• Water: Average; water well in drought
• Tip: Prune annually to maintain preferred height and width

7. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

The versatile Wax Myrtle flourishes in a range of climates and soils, growing 2-3 feet yearly. This US-native offers aromatic, pest-resistant foliage that remains attractive year-round in warmer zones.

• Best For: Coastal gardens, sandy soils, wildlife habitats
• Sun: Full sun to part shade
• Water: Low once established
• Tip: Space plants about 8 feet apart for a thick screen

8. Viburnum (Viburnum tinus, Viburnum odoratissimum, etc.)

Viburnum species are reliable quick growers for privacy hedges, with thick foliage and, in some varieties, pretty clusters of flowers. Viburnum odoratissimum (Sweet Viburnum) is noted for shooting up to 24 inches per year and tolerating shearing for formal or informal screens.

• Best For: Flowering hedges, wildlife-friendly gardens, adaptable screens
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Moderate
• Tip: Prune lightly to maintain shape and encourage blooms

9. Escallonia (Escallonia species)

Escallonia excels as a speedy privacy hedge, especially in mild, coastal climates. Its glossy, evergreen leaves and clusters of pink, red or white flowers create a lively living fence. Growth rates of up to 2 feet per year are common.

• Best For: Flowering privacy hedges, pollinator gardens, salt-tolerant screens
• Sun: Full sun
• Water: Low to average
• Tip: Plant in well-drained soil and prune after flowering to promote dense growth

How to Plant & Care for Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Planting the right hedge is the first step. To ensure optimal growth for your privacy screen:

• Dig Wide Holes: At least twice as wide as the root ball, to encourage root spread
• Enrich the Soil: Mix in compost, especially if your soil is poor or clay-heavy
• Water Deeply at Planting, and keep soil moist (but not soggy) until plants are established
• Mulch Around the Base: This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and keeps roots cool
• Fertilize in Spring: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer for strong, lush growth
• Prune Young Plants: Lightly trim the sides to encourage bushy, dense growth from the base up
• Regular Maintenance: Trim for shape, and remove dead or diseased branches

Evergreen vs Deciduous Hedges for Privacy

While most homeowners prefer evergreen hedges for year-round privacy, some deciduous species (like privet or viburnum) are dense enough in spring and summer to offer excellent screening. Consider evergreen varieties if you:

• Want privacy 365 days a year
• Live in mild climates where leaves don't drop
• Need protection from winter winds

Deciduous fast-growing hedges, on the other hand, may be more drought-tolerant and offer beautiful fall colors--even if they lose leaves come winter.

Design Tips for Privacy Hedge Plantings

• Stagger Rows: Plant in two offset rows for even faster coverage and extra thickness
• Combine Species: Mix two or three compatible varieties for interest and extended seasonal color
• Leave Room to Grow: Don't plant too close--crowded roots can stunt growth and reduce density
• Use Edging: Separate hedge roots from turf to avoid competition for nutrients
• Add Underplantings: Shade-tolerant perennials beneath hedges can reduce weeds and conserve soil moisture

Frequently Asked Questions about Speedy Privacy Hedges

• How fast will my privacy hedge grow?
  This depends on species, climate, and growing conditions--some (like Leyland Cypress or Bamboo) may grow 3-5 feet per year with good care.
• How soon will I have full privacy?
  With proper spacing and watering, expect a thick, 6-8 foot hedge within 3-5 years for most fast-growing varieties.
• Can I trim my hedge to keep it narrow?
  Absolutely. Most speedy hedges respond well to pruning and can be kept tidy and less than 3 feet thick if needed.
• What's the best hedge for small gardens?
  Consider Laurel, Photinia, or Viburnum for manageable height. Avoid giant species like Leyland Cypress unless planted far from property boundaries.
• Are rapid-growing hedges invasive?
  Only certain species--like some running Bamboos--can be invasive. Always select clumping forms or use root barriers.

Summary: Transform Your Landscape with Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Fast-growing privacy hedges are the ideal green solution for screening, shelter, and beauty. Whether you choose towering Leyland Cypress, colorful Photinia, low-maintenance Arborvitae, or stylish Bamboo, you'll enjoy swifter results and improved outdoor comfort.

Make your choice based on your climate, garden size, and how much maintenance you want to handle. With the right hedge--and good care--you'll have lush, living privacy in no time.

Quick List: 9 Rapid-Growth Hedges for Maximum Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress
2. Green Giant Arborvitae
3. Privet
4. Photinia
5. Bamboo (clumping)
6. Laurel
7. Wax Myrtle
8. Viburnum
9. Escallonia

Select the best hedges that offer speedy growth for privacy--and start enjoying your new green haven sooner than you ever imagined!