Privacy Perfected: 9 Hedges That Grow Fast

Posted on 19/05/2025

Privacy Perfected: 9 Hedges That Grow Fast

Are you looking to boost privacy in your yard, create a peaceful retreat, and add lush green beauty? Fast growing privacy hedges might be the perfect solution! In this comprehensive guide, we'll introduce you to nine of the best fast-growing hedge plants that can quickly transform any outdoor space into a private sanctuary. Read on to discover which hedge plant is right for your needs and how to make the most of these living fences.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Hedges are one of the most attractive, natural, and sustainable ways to ensure privacy and seclusion for your outdoor spaces. Unlike traditional fences or walls, hedge plants offer lush greenery, natural sound dampening, and subtle beauty throughout the year.

• Natural barrier: Living hedges blend seamlessly with your landscaping.
• Seasonal interest: Many hedges offer flowers, fruits, and changing leaf colors.
• Wildlife-friendly: Hedges provide habitat and food for birds and beneficial insects.
• Eco-friendly screening: Hedges absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

The main advantage of fast-growing hedges is speed - you won't have to wait decades to enjoy your privacy! Many of the hedge species listed grow at least 2 feet per year and can quickly block out unwanted views, noise, and neighbors.

How to Choose the Right Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

When selecting a hedge for quick privacy, it's essential to consider more than just growth rate. Here are some important factors to keep in mind to ensure the best privacy hedge performance for your landscape:

• Climate suitability: Pick hedge plants that thrive in your USDA Hardiness Zone.
• Sunlight requirements: Some hedges need full sun, others tolerate shade.
• Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreen hedges provide year-round privacy; deciduous may lose leaves in winter.
• Maintenance: Some species require frequent trimming or shaping.
• Size at maturity: Make sure your chosen plant doesn't outgrow your space!
• Pest and disease resistance: Opt for hardy, resilient varieties.

Now, let's dive into the nine fastest growing privacy hedges that are sure to perfect your retreat!

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Ultimate Fast-Growing Evergreen Hedge

If you need privacy in a hurry, few plants outperform the Leyland cypress. This hybrid conifer is a top choice for tall, dense, and green hedges that can provide full privacy in as little as two to three years.

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 40-60 feet (easily pruned for lower hedges)
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: 6-10

The Leyland cypress is ideal for large properties and quickly forms a thick wall of green. Be sure to provide good air circulation as it can be susceptible to fungal diseases in humid climates.

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

The Resilient Tall Performer

This wildly popular evergreen is prized for its reliable fast growth and minimal pest issues. The 'Green Giant' Arborvitae is perfect for creating a stately, columnar privacy screen that stays green all year long.

• Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 30-40 feet (can be trimmed shorter)
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: 5-9

This hedge variety handles drought, heat, and even urban pollution with ease. It's also deer-resistant and adapts to most soils -- a near-perfect privacy plant!

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Classic Hedge with Exceptional Speed

Privet hedges have been the traditional choice for centuries, and it's no wonder: they combine rapid growth with ease of pruning, letting you create a formal or informal living fence.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 10-15 feet (varies by species)
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: 5-9

When quickly clipped, privet keeps a neat shape and provides a formal appearance. Its small white flowers attract pollinators, but the berries can be toxic to pets -- so consider pet safety before planting.

4. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)

Ultra-Fast Privacy Screen

If you desire immediate, soaring privacy, few plants rival bamboo for speed and drama. Certain clumping bamboo varieties can grow up to 5 feet annually, creating an exotic, lush backdrop in record time.

• Growth rate: up to 5 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 10-30 feet
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: Varies; many hardy to 5-10

Important: Choose clumping bamboos for hedges (not running bamboos, which can become invasive). With the right species, bamboo makes for decorative and effective fast privacy screens!

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Lush and Broadleafed

For gardeners seeking a broadleaf evergreen hedge with glossy foliage, cherry laurel is an outstanding choice. It grows quickly, tolerates shade, and can be clipped to any desired shape or size.

• Growth rate: 2 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 15-20 feet
• Light: Full sun to full shade
• USDA Zones: 6-9

Cherry laurel hedges produce white flower spikes in spring, followed by black berries. Beware, all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested.

6. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Colorful Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

Photinia is a favorite for those who want privacy with a splash of color. Its new leaves are strikingly red before maturing to glossy green, providing multi-season interest along with quick growth.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 10-15 feet
• Light: Full sun
• USDA Zones: 7-9

Regular pruning will keep photinia dense and well-shaped. For best performance, provide good air circulation to prevent fungal leaf spot diseases.

7. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens & Varieties)

Versatile Medium-Speed, Dense Growth

While boxwood is not the absolute fastest grower, its dense, evergreen foliage and adaptability make it a top choice for smaller privacy hedges or formal borders.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 3-12 feet (depends on variety)
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: 5-9

Boxwood hedges are classic, elegant, and need little maintenance once established. They also thrive in containers and can be easily pruned to shape.

8. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna or Crataegus laevigata)

Flowering Security Hedge

For a thick, thorny, and wildlife-friendly fast hedge, hawthorn is unmatched. These native hedgerow specialists offer fragrant blossoms, colorful berries, and a tough barrier that deters people and large animals alike.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 15-25 feet
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• USDA Zones: 4-8

Hawthorn is tolerant of urban conditions and poor soils, making it ideal for rural and suburban privacy. Plus, its thorns provide additional security for your property.

9. Escallonia (Escallonia spp.)

Evergreen Flowering Hedge

Looking for privacy plants that are beautiful to behold? Escallonia boasts fast-growing evergreen hedges with pink to red tubular flowers, loved by bees and butterflies all summer long.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height at maturity: 6-12 feet
• Light: Full sun (best flowering in sunny spots)
• USDA Zones: 8-10

Escallonia is salt-tolerant, making it especially suitable for coastal properties needing quick-growing living fences.

Tips for Planting Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

No matter which fast hedge plant you choose, the key to quick, healthy growth is proper planting and care:

1. Site preparation: Remove weeds, loosen soil, and incorporate compost for healthy roots.
2. Spacing matters: Follow variety-specific spacing - too close stifles growth, too wide slows privacy.
3. Regular watering: Keep new hedges well-watered, especially through the first summer.
4. Mulching: A 2-3 inch layer of mulch retains moisture and suppresses weeds.
5. Fertilize: Balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring boosts robust greenery.
6. Pruning: Slight trimming of the top encourages fuller, denser growth from the base.

Advantages of Fast-Growing Hedges vs. Traditional Fences

• Longevity: Living hedges can last for decades with little maintenance, unlike wooden fences that rot or require painting.
• Noise reduction: A dense row of evergreen hedges helps muffle street sounds and urban noise.
• Air quality: Hedges filter dust and pollutants for a healthier home environment.
• Wildlife value: Many hedges for privacy support birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, enhancing your garden's ecosystem.
• Visual appeal: Living privacy screens add texture, color, and beauty to your landscape in every season.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?

Leyland cypress and some clumping bamboos are among the fastest, growing up to 5 feet yearly under ideal conditions.

How long does it take for a privacy hedge to fill in?

With optimal planting and care, most fast-growing hedge species can provide full privacy in 2-5 years, depending on the species and initial size at planting.

Should I choose evergreen or deciduous?

If year-round privacy is your goal, always select evergreen privacy hedge plants like arborvitae, laurel, or boxwood. Deciduous options may lose their screening ability in winter.

Are fast-growing hedges difficult to maintain?

Many fast-growing species are low maintenance once established, but all benefit from annual pruning to stay tidy and dense. Some, like privet or photinia, do best with two trims per year.

Can I mix different hedge species together?

Absolutely! Mixing varieties can provide more visual interest (flowers, berries, foliage colors) and increase disease resistance. Be sure to select plants with similar growth rates and requirements.

Conclusion: Enjoy Fast-Growing Privacy Perfected

Fast-growing privacy hedges are a practical, beautiful, and eco-friendly solution for creating secluded outdoor spaces in record time. With so many choices--evergreen giants like Green Giant Arborvitae, classic privet, flowering beauties like escallonia, and even dramatic bamboo--there's a perfect privacy hedge for every yard and style.

Choose the best hedge plants for your climate and preferences, plant with care, and enjoy lush, living privacy for decades to come!

Ready to perfect your privacy? Plant one of these nine hedges and watch your sanctuary grow fast!

Related Resources

• How to Plant Leyland Cypress Hedge
• Arborvitae Hedge Planting Guide
• Managing Bamboo for Non-Invasive Privacy
• Cherry Laurel Varieties Compared

For more tips on landscape design and privacy plantings, keep your eye on our gardening guides and updates!