Shield Your Space with 9 Quickly-Growing Privacy Hedges

Posted on 24/06/2025

Shield Your Space with 9 Quickly-Growing Privacy Hedges

Looking for ways to create a secluded sanctuary in your yard? Privacy hedges provide not only a living fence but also bring natural beauty and noise reduction to your landscape. However, waiting years for slow-growing shrubs to mature can be frustrating. If you're eager to reap the benefits of a natural screen, you're in the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore nine fast-growing privacy hedges that can shield your space efficiently and elegantly.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Installing hedges for privacy is a rewarding way to enhance your property's seclusion, improve air quality, and create an attractive boundary. Here are some compelling reasons to plant quick-growing privacy hedges:

• Rapid Results: Get effective coverage within a few growing seasons instead of waiting for years.
• Noise Buffer: Reduce road and neighborhood noise naturally.
• Attractive Screens: Enjoy lush greenery, blooms, or even seasonal color as part of your yard's design.
• Wildlife Habitat: Provide shelter and nesting spaces for songbirds and pollinators.
• Wind Protection: Block strong winds, making your outdoor area more comfortable.

When selecting the best fast-growing hedges for privacy, it's important to consider your location, available sunlight, soil type, and maintenance preferences. Read on to find the ideal option for your needs!

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Why It's a Top Pick for Fast-Growing Hedging

The Leyland cypress is renowned for its vigorous growth and dense, evergreen foliage. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and serves as a fantastic privacy screen that rapidly blocks unwanted views. In ideal conditions, this privacy tree can grow up to 3 feet per year!

• Growth Rate: Fast (up to 3 feet a year)
• Height: 40-60 feet tall at maturity
• Best for: Large properties, year-round privacy

Tip: For a flawless hedge, space plants 5-7 feet apart and prune annually to maintain the desired height and shape.

2. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)

The Ultimate Parcel Divider

If you want a robust, pest-resistant, and quickly growing privacy hedge, look no further than the Green Giant Arborvitae. With its lush, green foliage and towering presence, it's perfect for suburban backyards and can be trimmed to suit smaller spaces.

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year in optimal conditions
• Height: 20-40 feet tall when mature
• Best for: Homeowners seeking an evergreen screen with minimal issues

Did You Know? The Green Giant is often considered the best privacy hedge plant for most U.S. climates thanks to its disease resistance and adaptability.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Classic and Adaptable Privacy Barrier

Privet shrubs have been a favorite for garden borders and privacy for centuries. Their dense, quick growth makes them ideal for shaping into formal hedges. Some varieties are semi-evergreen or evergreen in warmer climates, providing year-round seclusion.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2-3 feet per year with proper care
• Height: 10-15 feet at maturity
• Best for: Formal gardens, ornamental landscaping, privacy fences

Important: Privet adapts to most soil types and tolerates heavy pruning, but some varieties can be invasive. Check local recommendations before planting.

4. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

Instant Privacy with an Exotic Touch

*Bamboo* is celebrated for its unbeatable fast growth and unique appearance. Opt for clumping bamboo species such as Bambusa multiplex to avoid spread into unwanted areas. With heights reaching up to 20 feet in just a few years, bamboo offers lush coverage and a tranquil, spa-like ambiance.

• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year for many varieties
• Height: 10-30 feet, depending on species
• Best for: Zen gardens, modern landscapes, urban screens

Pro Tip: Running bamboo can be invasive; choose clumping types for a tidy and controllable living fence.

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Hardy, Glossy, and Incredibly Fast

The cherry laurel features large, shiny leaves and produces fragrant white flowers in spring. Adaptable to shade or sun and tolerant of pollution, this shrub provides lush, dense coverage in as little as two years.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: 10-18 feet at maturity
• Best for: Shady spots, city gardens, evergreen hedges

Maintenance: Prune after flowering to keep your hedge looking tidy and compact.

6. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Low-Maintenance Southern Favorite

For privacy hedges that thrive even in poor soils and salty air, consider wax myrtle. Native to the southeastern U.S., this shrub's fragrant foliage adds year-round charm to any landscape while forming a tough living barrier.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: 10-20 feet at maturity
• Best for: Coastal regions, poor or sandy soils, wildlife gardens

Bonus: The waxy, blue-gray berries attract a variety of birds!

7. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

Compact and Perfect for Tight Spaces

Skip laurel is a versatile fast-growing privacy shrub with narrow, upright growth. Its dense evergreen leaves make it a stylish option along pathways, driveways, and smaller yards.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year on average
• Height: 8-12 feet at maturity
• Best for: Screening in small or narrow spaces

Tip: This hedge is deer-resistant and tolerates shade better than many other privacy plants.

8. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Colorful, Ever-Changing Foliage

If you're after a privacy screen with visual impact, photinia offers striking copper-red new leaves that mature to a glossy green. In spring, clusters of white blossoms add a further burst of beauty.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2-3 feet a year in good soil
• Height: 10-15 feet at maturity
• Best for: Hedges with color interest, mixed borders, flowering screens

Care Note: Photinia benefits from annual pruning which encourages vibrant new growth and maintains density.

9. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens')

Prickly but Attractive Privacy

With shiny, dark green leaves and bright red berries in winter, Nellie Stevens holly is as decorative as it is effective. Its rapid growth and thick, pyramidal form create a year-round wall of privacy.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: 15-25 feet at maturity
• Best for: Evergreen privacy hedge, wildlife-friendly gardens

Extra Benefit: The sharp leaves and dense branches deter trespassers and curious animals.

Tips for Establishing Your Privacy Hedge Quickly

• Soil Preparation: Amend your soil with compost or organic matter to ensure strong root growth.
• Watering: Young hedges require consistent watering, particularly in the first two years.
• Spacing: Follow spacing guidelines to encourage thick growth without future overcrowding.
• Pruning: Shape your hedge early on; regular trimming will help create a dense, lush boundary.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer each spring to promote vigor.

Other Quick Privacy Hedge Considerations

• Climate Suitability: Not all fast-growing privacy plants are appropriate for every region. Always select species compatible with your local hardiness zone.
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round privacy, while deciduous hedges may offer denser foliage during the growing season.
• Growth Habit: Choose upright varieties for formal hedges or sprawling types for informal screens.
• Maintenance Level: Some privacy shrubs require frequent pruning, while others need only occasional shaping.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

What is the fastest-growing privacy hedge?

Leyland cypress and Thuja Green Giant are among the fastest, often adding up to 3 feet or more annually.

How much space do I need for a privacy hedge?

Spacing depends on the plant--typically, place shrubs 3-8 feet apart for quick coverage. Check plant tags or ask at your local nursery for precise recommendations.

Which fast-growing hedge is best for small gardens?

For compact spaces, consider skip laurel, photinia, or clumping bamboo, which provide privacy without overwhelming your garden.

Conclusion: Enjoy Privacy and Beauty--Fast!

Transform your property into a private oasis with these nine quickly-growing privacy hedges. Whether you prefer evergreen trees, flowering shrubs, or unique exotics, there's a fast-growing privacy plant to suit every style and space. With the right choice and a little ongoing care, you'll enjoy lush coverage, noise reduction, and unrivaled tranquility in your own backyard sooner than you might think!

Ready to start your privacy project? Visit your local garden center to learn which fast-growing screening plants perform best in your region and enjoy a greener, more secluded space--fast.