Achieve Privacy with These 9 Fast-Growing Hedges

Posted on 20/05/2025

Are you looking to achieve privacy in your yard without the wait? Creating cozy, secluded spaces is easier than you think, thanks to fast-growing hedges that transform any outdoor area into a natural retreat. Whether you want to block out street noise, shield your property from prying eyes, or simply enhance the beauty of your garden, there's a perfect hedge plant for you. In this comprehensive guide, we explore the top 9 fast-growing privacy hedges that not only provide a lush living barrier but also boost your home's curb appeal.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

When it comes to privacy solutions for your garden, you have a variety of options. Fences and walls may offer instant results but lack the charm and environmental benefits of living hedges. Fast-growing hedges are a natural, eco-friendly alternative, offering these key advantages:

Natural Beauty: Adds greenery and texture to your landscape.
Noise Reduction: Acting as sound barriers, hedges help keep your garden peaceful.
Wildlife Habitat: Provides shelter and food for birds and pollinators.
Improved Air Quality: Leaves absorb dust and pollution, purifying the air around your home.
Cost Effective: Over time, hedges are often less expensive and require less maintenance compared to wood or metal fences.

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How to Select the Best Fast-Growing Hedge Plants for Privacy

Before you select your privacy hedge, consider a few important factors:

Growth Rate: Look for hedges that grow at least 2 feet per year for quick results.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreens offer year-round privacy, while deciduous plants may lose leaves in winter.
Height & Width: Determine how tall and wide you want the hedge to grow.
Soil & Sunlight: Ensure your chosen plant matches your garden's soil type and sunlight conditions.
Maintenance: Some hedges require regular pruning, while others need minimal care.

Top 9 Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Ready to transform your garden into a private sanctuary? Let's explore the best fast-growing hedges for privacy--perfect for rapidly achieving a lush, living wall.

**1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)**

If speed is your priority, the Leyland Cypress is a champion among privacy hedges. This evergreen conifer can shoot up at an astonishing rate of 3 to 5 feet per year under optimal conditions. Its dense foliage forms a thick barrier even when young, making it a top choice for people who want to achieve privacy quickly.

Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
Mature Height: 30-50 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Prune to maintain your desired height and prevent wind damage.

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

The 'Green Giant' Arborvitae is a hardy, disease-resistant variety renowned for its rapid growth and uniform shape. These trees create a lush screen in just a few seasons and are favored for their low maintenance.

Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
Mature Height: 40-60 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun
Care Tips: Tolerates heat and drought; water regularly during the first year.

**3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)**

For a classic, formal look, consider Privet hedges. They're fast-growing, versatile, and highly tolerant of different soil types. Regular shaping results in crisp, clean lines for an elegant, private boundary.

Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
Mature Height: 10-15 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Trim two or three times a year for best density and form.

**4. Bamboo (Bambusa spp., Phyllostachys spp.)**

Looking for instant privacy with a modern flair? Bamboo can reach maturity in just a few years--some species growing up to 5 feet in a single season. Just be sure to select clumping (non-invasive) varieties to prevent unwanted spread.

Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
Mature Height: 10-40 feet (depending on species)
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Use root barriers and choose clumping varieties for best results.

**5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)**

The Cherry Laurel is beloved for its glossy evergreen leaves and white, scented spring flowers. This hardy shrub handles poor soils and thrives even in urban environments, making it ideal to achieve backyard privacy in challenging conditions.

Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to full shade
Care Tips: Water well during dry spells; prune annually after flowering.

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

Add color and coverage with Photinia. Its young spring leaves emerge bright red before maturing to glossy green, making it a standout in any privacy screen. This fast-growing shrub is perfect for stylish borders and hedges.

Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
Mature Height: 10-15 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Prune in late spring to encourage bushy growth and vibrant color.

**7. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)**

If you want a timeless hedge with a formal appearance, Boxwood is a top contender. While traditional types are moderately paced, many modern cultivars are bred for faster growth while retaining their signature dense, green appearance.

Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year (for newer varieties)
Mature Height: 4-15 feet (variety dependent)
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Trim often for a classic look; ensures air circulation to prevent disease.

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

Viburnums are some of the fastest and most versatile privacy hedges, adored for their clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers and rich, deep green leaves. Many varieties are evergreen or semi-evergreen, providing strong year-round privacy.

Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
Mature Height: 8-20 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Water regularly; prune after flowering to maintain shape.

**9. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)**

Portuguese Laurel delivers a sophisticated look with its dark green leaves and red stems. It is both drought-tolerant and resilient to urban pollution, making it perfect for a robust, fast-growing privacy fence in city gardens.

Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
Mature Height: 10-20 feet
Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Care Tips: Prune annually to encourage dense coverage; tolerates heavy clipping.

Tips for Planting and Maintaining Fast-Growing Hedges

Choosing fast-growing hedges for privacy is just the start. Proper planting and ongoing care ensure your living wall reaches its full potential--quickly and healthily.

Planting Distance: Follow recommended spacing to allow each plant room to thrive and fill out.
Soil Preparation: Mix compost into the soil before planting for a nutrient boost.
Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first years.
Mulching: Add a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Pruning: Trim regularly to shape your hedge and encourage thick, bushy growth.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring for vigorous growth.

Achieve Privacy Naturally--Final Thoughts

If your goal is to achieve privacy with fast-growing hedges, there's a world of options waiting for you. Whether you prefer the stately rise of Leyland Cypress, the vibrant bursts of Photinia, or the fragrant blooms of Viburnum, a thriving, green barrier is well within your reach.

A well-planted hedge not only offers seclusion but also enhances your garden's beauty, supports local wildlife, and contributes to a healthier environment. By choosing the right fast-growing hedge for privacy, preparing your site properly, and following consistent care, you'll enjoy a stunning natural fence that lasts for decades. Start planting today and soon you'll have a serene, private retreat of your own--right in your backyard!