9 hedge options that promise fast growth and privacy

Posted on 20/05/2025

Are you dreaming of a lush, green barrier that shields your property from nosy neighbors, reduces roadway noise, and enhances your home's curb appeal all at once? A rapidly growing privacy hedge could be the perfect answer! In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 9 hedge options that promise fast growth and privacy. These living fences will not only create seclusion but can also bring year-round beauty and even boost your home's value. Whether you seek dense evergreens or blooming shrubs, you'll find the ideal hedge to meet your needs.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Fast-growing privacy hedges have surged in popularity amongst homeowners and landscapers for several compelling reasons:

• Immediate Privacy: Quickly screen unsightly views or create a secluded backyard oasis.
• Noise Reduction: Thick, dense foliage helps muffle street sounds.
• Wind and Dust Barrier: Protect gardens and outdoor spaces from gusts and debris.
• Wildlife Friendly: Many hedges offer safe havens for birds and pollinators.
• Aesthetic Value: A living green wall elevates your landscape with vibrant foliage and, often, seasonal color.
• Property Value: Homes with mature, attractive hedges can fetch higher sale prices.

With these benefits in mind, let's dive into the top hedge options for fast growth and privacy!

1. Green Giant Arborvitae: The Powerhouse Privacy Hedge

If you've searched for the ultimate in fast-growing privacy hedges, the Green Giant Arborvitae is a perennial favorite. This majestic evergreen is renowned for its supercharged growth rate--up to 3 feet per year in ideal conditions. Its dense, conical form provides year-round coverage, and it rarely succumbs to common pests or diseases.

• Growth Rate: 3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 30 to 60 feet
• USDA Zones: 5-8
• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
• Features: Dense, feathery foliage, low-maintenance

Pro Tip: Plant Green Giants 5-7 feet apart for a rapid, seamless hedge.

2. Leyland Cypress: Classic Rapid-Growth Screen

The Leyland Cypress stands out as one of the fastest-growing privacy hedges available, often shooting up to 4 feet annually. Its lush blue-green needles and adaptability to various soils make it a top choice for those who want privacy in a hurry.

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet/year
• Mature Height: 40 to 60 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-10
• Sun Needs: Full sun
• Features: Elegant, uniform shape; responds well to pruning

Note: While beautiful, Leyland Cypress can grow very large--plant it with adequate space or commit to regular trimming for smaller gardens.

3. Privet (Ligustrum): Versatile and Vigorous

Privet hedges have long been favored for their fast growth and privacy. They're adaptable, easy to shape, and tolerate diverse conditions. Once established, certain varieties can grow 2-3 feet yearly, quickly creating a thick, living wall ideal for formal or informal settings.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 6 to 15 feet (depending on variety)
• USDA Zones: 4-8
• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
• Features: Semi-evergreen; small white flowers in spring/summer

For even faster results, consider Japanese or California Privet varieties.

4. Bamboo: The Ultimate Rapid-Growth Privacy Hedge

Bamboo hedges are unmatched for sheer speed and density. Some species, like Clumping Bamboo (Bambusa), shoot up as much as 5 feet in a single growing season! Bamboo not only excels at fast privacy screening but also brings a stylish, contemporary aesthetic.

• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet/year
• Mature Height: 10 to 40 feet (varies widely)
• USDA Zones: 5-10 (species dependent)
• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
• Features: Feathery, evergreen canes; outstanding screening; choose clumping, not running, varieties to prevent spreading

Important: Contain bamboo roots with underground barriers unless planting a non-invasive (clumping) variety.

5. Cherry Laurel: Fast, Evergreen, and Beautiful

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) offers glossy, dark green leaves and a compact, upright habit--making it an ideal privacy hedge for fast growth. This evergreen is celebrated for tolerance to shade, pollution, and pruning.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-9
• Sun Needs: Full sun to deep shade
• Features: Fragrant white flowers and black berries in spring; deer-resistant

Tip: Cherry Laurel's dense leaves create a near-solid screen. It's a top pick for urban gardens seeking both beauty and privacy.

6. Skip Laurel: Tidy, Manageable Privacy Shrub

Also called Schip Laurel or Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis', Skip Laurel is a narrower, manageable option compared to regular Cherry Laurel. It's perfect for planting along fences, walkways, or property lines where width is limited but privacy is still a must.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Mature Height: 8-12 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-9
• Sun Needs: Sun to part shade
• Features: Dense foliage, tolerant of pruning and urban conditions

Skip Laurel hedges are tough, evergreen, and make attractive formal or informal boundaries.

7. Photinia (Red Tip Photinia): Striking Color and Fast Growth

Add a splash of color to your privacy screen with Red Tip Photinia. Its striking red foliage emerges in spring, maturing to lustrous green. This versatile shrub is beloved for both its rapid growth and visual spectacle.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• USDA Zones: 7-9
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade
• Features: Red new growth, clusters of white flowers

Keep Photinia full and healthy with annual pruning and good air circulation to prevent leaf spot.

8. English Laurel: Luxurious and Low-Maintenance

An excellent alternative to Privet or Holly, the English Laurel offers dense, glossy foliage and a robust, upright habit. It is particularly valued as a fast-growing privacy hedge in both formal and informal landscapes.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 15-20 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-9
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade
• Features: Evergreen leaves, white scented flowers in spring

Pro Tip: English Laurel can tolerate deeper shade than many hedge options, making it ideal for less sunny yards.

9. Wax Myrtle: Fast-Growing Native Screen

Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is a fantastic choice for those seeking a fast-growing privacy hedge native to the southeastern United States. With aromatic evergreen leaves and remarkable adaptability to various soils (including clay and sand), Wax Myrtle is a tough, low-maintenance screening plant.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet/year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• USDA Zones: 7-11
• Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
• Features: Fragrant leaves, salt tolerance, attractive berries for wildlife

Bonus: Wax Myrtle is an eco-friendly hedge--attracting birds while withstanding deer, pests, and drought.

How to Choose the Best Hedge for Fast Growth and Privacy

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

• Climate: Check the USDA Hardiness Zone before choosing your hedge plant.
• Mature Size: How tall and wide do you need your living fence to be?
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round screening, while deciduous hedges offer seasonal color.
• Maintenance: Some options require more frequent pruning and care.
• Growth Rate: If you need immediate results, pick faster growers like Bamboo, Leyland Cypress, or Green Giant Arborvitae.
• Sunlight and Soil: Ensure your chosen plant matches your yard's sun exposure and soil type.

Planting Tips for Rapid Hedge Success

• Soil Preparation: Amend soil with compost and ensure good drainage.
• Proper Spacing: Plant at recommended intervals to encourage thick, rapid coverage.
• Watering: Newly planted hedges need consistent moisture until established.
• Mulching: Apply mulch to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate roots.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote fast, healthy growth.
• Pruning: Regular trimming maintains shape and encourages dense branching.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?

Bamboo (especially clumping varieties), Green Giant Arborvitae, and Leyland Cypress are renowned as some of the fastest-growing privacy hedges, easily adding 3 feet per year in prime conditions.

What is the best hedge for year-round privacy?

Evergreen hedges like Arborvitae, Cherry Laurel, and Privet offer consistent screening in all seasons, ensuring privacy even in winter months.

How close should I plant hedge shrubs for fast coverage?

Spacing depends on the plant species, but a general rule is to plant shrubs at half their mature width apart. For example, if a plant grows 6 feet wide, plant them 3 feet apart for quick, dense growth.

Can I grow privacy hedges in containers?

Yes--dwarf varieties of Boxwood, Holly, or even Bamboo can be grown in large planters to create movable privacy screens for patios or decks.

Do fast-growing hedges require a lot of maintenance?

Fast growth often means more frequent pruning during the growing season, especially to maintain shape and density. However, some plants (like Arborvitae) require minimal upkeep once established.

Conclusion: Transform Your Landscape with Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Creating a lush, private retreat doesn't have to take years. With these 9 hedge options that promise fast growth and privacy, you can enjoy beauty, tranquility, and a little peace from the outside world in record time. Whether you favor the classic Green Giant Arborvitae, contemporary clumping Bamboo, or the vibrant Red Tip Photinia, your new living wall is just a season or two away from fullness!

Ready to enhance your garden and boost your home's privacy? Choose your favorite fast-growing privacy hedge and start planting today!