9 Privacy Hedges That Thrive and Grow Fast

Posted on 19/05/2025

9 Privacy Hedges That Thrive and Grow Fast

Finding the perfect privacy hedge for your yard can be a challenge--especially if you are looking for options that not only create a secluded oasis but also deliver quick results. Whether you want to create a green screen from prying eyes, block neighborhood noise, or just add some lush beauty to your landscape, fast-growing privacy hedges are an excellent solution. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore nine stellar choices for privacy hedges that thrive and grow fast, ensuring you can enjoy your own tranquil retreat sooner than you might think!

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

There are several compelling reasons to opt for fast-growing hedges for privacy:

• Immediate Privacy: Quick-growing species create a screen in 1-3 years rather than the 5-10 years slower varieties require.
• Noise Reduction: Dense, evergreen hedges help dampen street and neighborhood noise.
• Property Value: A beautiful living fence adds curb appeal and can increase your home's value.
• Wind Protection: Tall, thick hedges serve as windbreakers for your garden and outdoor spaces.
• Wildlife Habitat: Many hedges provide shelter and food for birds and beneficial insects.

Let's look at nine of the best fast-growing privacy hedges you can plant to transform your outdoor living space!

1. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges are a timeless classic, admired for their rapid growth and dense, lush foliage. With the right care, privet can grow up to 2-3 feet per year, quickly forming a solid wall of greenery. They're easy to shape and require only occasional trimming to maintain their form.

Why Privet Makes a Great Fast-Growing Hedge:

• Evergreen or semi-evergreen in many regions, retaining coverage year-round.
• Tolerant of various soils and urban conditions.
• Withstands heavy pruning for clean, neat lines.

Popular varieties: Glossy Privet (Ligustrum lucidum), California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium).

2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

This is one of the fastest-growing evergreen privacy hedges available, with a turbocharged growth rate of 3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions. The leyland cypress forms a dense, tall wall very quickly, which means immediate and impressive privacy.

Top Reasons to Choose Leyland Cypress:

• Grows rapidly to heights of 30-50 feet, providing superior screening.
• Uniform, upright growth habit--great for formal or informal hedges.
• Tolerates light pruning, but can also be left natural for a softer look.

Tip: Leyland cypress requires good air circulation and should be spaced appropriately to avoid disease.

3. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')

The emerald green arborvitae is a superstar for smaller yards and suburban landscapes. It maintains its lush, vibrant green color year-round and is prized for its tidy, upright growth. Growing up to 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, it creates an excellent living privacy fence that's easy to manage.

Emerald Green Arborvitae Hedge Highlights:

• Grows up to 2 feet per year with adequate water and sunlight.
• Low-maintenance and requires minimal pruning.
• Excellent resistance to many pests and diseases.

This is the ideal hedge for narrow spaces!

4. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

If you want a privacy hedge that's visually stunning all year, the red tip photinia is a top pick. Known for its brilliant red new leaves, which gradually mature to dark green, photinia adds vibrant color as well as fast, dense coverage--growing up to 2 feet per year.

What Makes Photinia Fantastic for Privacy?

• Striking red new growth in spring for seasonal interest.
• Tolerant of pruning; can be kept neat or grown more informally.
• Disease resistance varieties are available for trouble-free growth.

Best in full sun and well-drained soil for maximum color and vigor.

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys or Bambusa spp.)

Bamboo hedges are the ultimate solution when you want instant privacy. Many clumping bamboos can reach full height in just a few years, growing up to 4 feet per year--or more! With their unique upright canes and lush leaves, bamboo creates an exotic and peaceful barrier.

Bamboo Hedge Advantages:

• Super-fast vertical growth--some species reach 20 feet tall or higher!
• Stays green all year and adapts to many soil types.
• Clumping bamboos are non-invasive and easy to keep contained.

Note: Choose clumping bamboo, such as Bambusa multiplex or Fargesia species, to avoid unwanted spreading!

6. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The cherry laurel stands out for its glossy leaves and exceptional adaptability. It forms a dense, evergreen wall, and under good conditions, it can put on 2-3 feet of new growth per year.

Benefits of Cherry Laurel Privacy Hedges:

• Thrives in shade or sun, making it perfect for difficult spots.
• Highly tolerant of pruning--great for formal hedges.
• Attractive white spring flowers add seasonal interest.

This hedge is an excellent choice for low-maintenance, year-round privacy.

7. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Fast, fragrant, and beautiful--wax myrtle is a favorite in coastal and southern gardens. This native shrub can quickly grow to heights of 10-20 feet, offering excellent screening and attractive, aromatic foliage.

Why Plant Wax Myrtle for Fast Privacy?

• Grows up to 5 feet per year in ideal conditions.
• Tolerant of poor soils and salt spray.
• Low water needs once established--perfect for drought-prone areas.

Wax myrtle attracts birds with its showy blue-gray berries!

8. Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum & Viburnum tinus)

Viburnum hedges are praised for their rapid growth, glossy foliage, and wonderful clusters of flowers. Sweet viburnum (V. odoratissimum) is particularly popular, shooting up to 2-4 feet per year.

Key Reasons to Use Viburnum as a Privacy Screen:

• Fast growth and excellent density for immediate living fence effect.
• Attractive white flowers and, in some species, berries for wildlife.
• Tolerates a variety of sun and soil conditions.

Viburnum tinus is particularly well-suited for smaller gardens, while V. odoratissimum handles larger spaces with ease.

9. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) -- The Classic Green Privacy Fence

The boxwood hedge is a staple in elegant and classic landscapes. While not the absolute fastest grower on this list, it has a moderate growth rate (about 12-24 inches a year) and thickens quickly to provide a lush, evergreen privacy barrier. With regular pruning, boxwood hedges can last for decades.

Boxwood Hedge Benefits:

• Incredible versatility--thrives in sun or partial shade.
• Easily shaped for neat, formal privacy hedges.
• Low maintenance and deer-resistant.

For the look of a stately, trimmed hedge, boxwood is unmatched.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Landscape

Selecting the right hedge depends on your climate, soil, sun exposure, and personal preferences. Here are some quick tips to help you narrow it down:

• For Full Sun: Leyland cypress, photinia, privet, bamboo, and boxwood shine with plenty of light.
• For Partial Shade: Cherry laurel and viburnum adapt well.
• For Coastal Areas: Wax myrtle is a top choice due to salt tolerance.
• For Tight Spaces: Emerald green arborvitae or viburnum tinus are perfect.
• For All-Season Privacy: Choose evergreens like leyland cypress, arborvitae, cherry laurel, or boxwood.

Additional Factors to Consider:

• Growth Rate: Decide how quickly you need privacy and select accordingly.
• Ultimate Height: Consider how tall you want the hedge to be at maturity.
• Climate Hardiness: Make sure your hedge will thrive in your USDA Hardiness Zone.
• Pruning Needs: Some fast-growing hedges need frequent trimming; others are low-maintenance.
• Wildlife Value: Choose species that offer flowers, berries, or shelter for birds if that's a priority.

How to Plant and Care for Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Even the fastest-growing hedges need proper planting and care to reach their potential. Here's a step-by-step overview for establishing a lush privacy barrier:

1. Select healthy, robust plants from a reputable nursery.
2. Dig a wide trench (twice as wide as the root ball) to loosen the soil.
3. Space properly: For a dense hedge, most varieties should be spaced 2-4 feet apart depending on their expected mature width.
4. Amend the soil with compost for better root establishment.
5. Water deeply after planting, and keep the hedge well-watered during the first growing season.
6. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
7. Fertilize annually with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
8. Prune regularly to encourage bushy, dense growth (the timing and intensity of pruning will depend on the species).

With a little time and care, your living privacy hedge will provide green seclusion in just a few short years!

FAQ: Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How long does it take for privacy hedges to fill in?

Many fast-growing hedge plants will form a solid screen in 2-3 years if properly watered and maintained. Some bamboos and leyland cypress can reach their mature height even faster!

Are fast-growing hedges invasive?

Some hedge plants, such as certain bamboos or privets, can be invasive if not managed. Always choose clumping (not running) bamboo and keep your hedge trimmed. Ask your local nursery about non-invasive varieties suitable for your area.

Which privacy hedge is lowest maintenance?

Boxwood and emerald green arborvitae are among the lowest maintenance evergreen hedge options. They require only occasional pruning and have excellent pest resistance.

Conclusion: Create Privacy Fast with Lush Green Hedges

If you want to quickly transform your garden into a tranquil retreat, these nine fast-growing privacy hedges can help you do just that. Whether you crave year-round evergreens, bold colors, or something unique like bamboo, there's a living privacy fence for every style and location. With a little planning and care, your outdoor space can become a private, green sanctuary in a surprisingly short time.

Ready to boost your home's seclusion, beauty, and value? Plant one of these thriving, fast-growing privacy hedges and enjoy a beautiful, secluded landscape for years to come!