Transform Your Space with 9 Quick-Growing Privacy Hedges

Posted on 19/05/2025

Transform Your Space with 9 Quick-Growing Privacy Hedges

Want to create a secluded, beautiful outdoor space? Whether you long for peace, security, or simply a visual makeover for your yard, fast-growing privacy hedges are the ultimate solution. With the right species, you can quickly enjoy a lush green barrier that adds both charm and function to your landscaping. Below, you'll discover nine quick-growing privacy hedges guaranteed to enhance your outdoor environment--all while providing year-round privacy and style.

Why Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges are the Ultimate Landscape Upgrade

Privacy hedges serve a dual purpose: beautifying your landscape while shielding your property from noise, wind, and prying eyes. Unlike fences, which can be costly and unattractive, living barriers offer a natural, eco-friendly way to delineate boundaries and add texture. If patience isn't your strong suit, fast-growing hedge plants are your best bet for an instant transformation.

• Natural privacy: Living hedge screens blend seamlessly with surrounding gardens.
• Low maintenance: Once established, many hedge plants require minimal care.
• Wildlife habitat: Dense foliage creates shelter for birds and pollinators.
• Sound barrier: Hedges help muffle street noise and create tranquility.
• Environmental benefits: Hedges filter air pollutants and absorb carbon dioxide.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedge for Privacy

Selecting the right fast-growing privacy hedge depends on several factors:

• Climate and hardiness zone: Choose shrubs that thrive in your local conditions.
• Sunlight levels: Some plants need full sun, others tolerate shade.
• Desired height: Will the hedge function as a tall screen or a shorter border?
• Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round coverage; deciduous hedges may lose leaves in winter.
• Maintenance: How much pruning and care are you willing to provide?

Now, let's unveil the top 9 quick-growing hedges to transform your space!

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

The King of Speedy Screens

If you need ultra-fast results, the Leyland cypress is a top contender. This evergreen privacy hedge grows up to 3 feet per year, forming dense, lush walls within just a few seasons. It flourishes in full sun and well-drained soil, reaching up to 60 feet tall if left untrimmed.

• Growth rate: Extremely fast
• Best for: Tall, formal screens
• Care tips: Regular pruning keeps height in check and maintains a neat appearance

Tip: Plant Leyland cypress at least 8 feet apart to avoid overcrowding.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Low Maintenance, High Impact

Praised for its vigor, the 'Green Giant' Arborvitae offers rapid privacy with a refined, pyramidal form. This versatile evergreen grows 3 to 4 feet per year and resists many common pests and diseases. It's a favorite for large-scale privacy barriers or even formal hedges.

• Growth rate: Very fast
• Best for: Windbreaks, tall screens
• Care tips: Prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to part shade

An excellent substitute for Leyland cypress, especially in humid climates.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

A Classic Hedge for Instant Privacy

Privet hedges have been beloved for centuries--and for good reason. Available in numerous varieties, privet offers dense, glossy foliage and grows up to 2 feet per year. Its gracefully arching branches may flower in summer. While some types are evergreen, others are semi-evergreen or deciduous, depending on climate.

• Growth rate: Fast
• Best for: Formal garden walls, versatile borders
• Care tips: Tolerates shearing for intricate shapes; may require regular pruning

Note: In some areas, privet is considered invasive--always check before planting.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Elegant Evergreen with Showy Foliage

The cherry laurel sports broad, glossy leaves, white spring flowers, and matte black berries, creating an ornamental yet functional privacy hedge. This stylish evergreen boasts a growth rate of approximately 2 feet per year and tolerates both sun and partial shade.

• Growth rate: Fast
• Best for: Shaded boundaries and urban gardens
• Care tips: Soak thoroughly when watering; prune after flowering

Its dense foliage creates a visual and noise barrier overnight.

5. Bamboo (Fargesia or Phyllostachys spp.)

The Modern, Eco-Chic Hedge

Bamboo is a bold, contemporary choice for garden privacy. Clumping bamboos such as Fargesia form thick groves without spreading invasively, while some Phyllostachys species are prized for screening tall decks or patios. Some varieties can grow several feet per season!

• Growth rate: Exceptionally fast (in the right conditions)
• Best for: Tropical aesthetics, urban screens
• Care tips: Choose clumping types to avoid runaway spread; water well in dry spells

Bamboo is perfect for creating living green walls with a zen-inspired touch.

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

Colorful Foliage for Year-Round Interest

If you crave a burst of color, consider Photinia as your privacy hedge. Its new leaves emerge a vibrant red before maturing to dark green, providing visual interest even when not in bloom. Fast-growing, it can add up to 2 feet in height yearly.

• Growth rate: Fast
• Best for: Accent screens, flowering hedges
• Care tips: Prune regularly to keep shape and encourage colorful regrowth

Adds a bold, ornamental flourish to privacy hedges.

7. American Holly (Ilex opaca)

The Evergreen with Winter Appeal

American holly brings four-season beauty to privacy screens, offering lush, green leaves and clusters of brilliant red berries in winter (female plants). Its dense branching habit forms an effective, wildlife-attracting hedge and can reach up to 2 feet of growth per year when young.

• Growth rate: Moderate to fast (especially with good care and young plants)
• Best for: Year-round color, bird-friendly gardens
• Care tips: Thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil

An excellent choice for adding festive charm and privacy to your landscape.

8. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)

Fragrant, Versatile, and Speedy

Native to the southern U.S., the wax myrtle is a quick-growing privacy hedge favored for its aromatic, evergreen leaves and adaptability to poor soils. Adding 2 to 3 feet per year, this hardy shrub is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant once established.

• Growth rate: Fast
• Best for: Coastal zones, informal screens
• Care tips: Thrives in sandy soil with ample sunlight; minimal watering needs

Adds a unique, resinous fragrance when the foliage is crushed.

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

Year-Round Dense Cover

The Nellie Stevens holly makes an exceptional privacy screen due to its dense, prickly, glossy leaves, rapid growth, and minimal care needs. This hybrid can gain up to 3 feet annually and is highly resistant to pests and diseases. Its small white spring flowers and bright red berries provide added ornamental value.

• Growth rate: Fast
• Best for: Tall hedges, secure boundaries
• Care tips: Plant in full sun to light shade; water deeply during drought

Its thick foliage makes it virtually impenetrable for both sights and intruders.

Bonus Tips: Planting and Maintaining Your Fast-Growing Hedging Plants

Set Your Hedges Up for Success

• Proper spacing: Follow species-specific guidelines to avoid crowding and ensure vigorous growth.
• Watering: Frequent, deep watering in the first year promotes deeper root development.
• Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture and deter weeds.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• Regular pruning: Shape young hedges early for fuller, denser growth.
• Routine inspection: Check for pests or diseases, and address issues promptly.

By following these tips, your privacy hedges will flourish into robust, long-lasting living fences.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

What is the fastest-growing evergreen hedge?

Leyland cypress and Green Giant arborvitae are among the fastest-growing evergreen hedges, often achieving several feet of growth annually under ideal conditions.

How quickly can I expect full privacy from my hedge plants?

With diligent care and the right species, you can expect full screening within 2-5 years for most fast-growing privacy hedges.

Can privacy hedges thrive in containers or small spaces?

Several species, such as privet and cherry laurel, adapt well to containers for balcony or patio privacy, though they may require more frequent watering and pruning.

Do I need to prune my privacy hedge often?

Regular pruning, especially in the first few years, encourages denser growth and maintains a tidy appearance for your hedge screen.

Conclusion: Transform Your Outdoor Space--Fast!

Quick-growing privacy hedges are your secret weapon in landscaping, offering beauty, shelter, and tranquillity quicker than you might imagine. Whether you prefer classic evergreens, ornamental varieties, or unusual options like bamboo, there's a perfect fast-growing hedge for every yard and taste. With the expert tips above and a little care, you'll soon enjoy a secluded, serene retreat all your own.

Ready to plant your quick-growing privacy hedge? Start planning your green transformation today!