Fast-Growing Hedges: 9 Choices for Instant Privacy

Posted on 22/06/2025

Fast-Growing Hedges: 9 Choices for Instant Privacy

Looking to create a natural barrier quickly? Fast-growing hedges are your ideal solution for instant privacy and a touch of green elegance. Whether you want to block out nosy neighbors, reduce noise, or simply want a lush backdrop for your garden, certain hedge plants can establish an effective screen within a single season. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to nine exceptional fast-growing hedges perfect for instant privacy, with planting and maintenance tips so you can achieve the results you desire.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Before diving into the top choices, it's important to understand the benefits of fast-growing privacy hedges:

• Rapid establishment: Many fast-growing hedge species reach impressive heights within a couple of years.
• Aesthetic appeal: A well-maintained hedge enhances your landscape with year-round greenery and structure.
• Eco-friendly screening: Unlike fences, hedges contribute to biodiversity and offer shelter to wildlife.
• Noise and wind reduction: Thick greenery acts as a barrier for both wind and sound.
• Increased property value: A mature, healthy hedge can significantly improve curb appeal and privacy.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Your Fast-Growing Hedge

When selecting a quick-growing privacy hedge, think about the following:

• Climate compatibility: Choose hedges that thrive in your hardiness zone.
• Sunlight requirements: Will your hedge be in full sun, partial shade, or deep shade?
• Height and width: Consider how tall and thick you want your hedge to grow.
• Maintenance needs: Some fast-growing species need regular pruning to prevent them from becoming unruly.
• Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round privacy, while deciduous hedges lose leaves in winter.
• Pest and disease resistance: Opt for robust species that can withstand local pests and diseases.

The Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Instant Privacy

Now, let's explore nine of the best fast-growing hedges that can give you instant privacy. For each, you'll find planting advice, maintenance tips, and what makes them unique.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is a classic favourite among fast-growing hedge plants. These evergreens can grow up to 3 feet per year and can quickly reach heights above 30 feet if untrimmed, making them ideal for creating a tall privacy screen.

• Growth rate: Extremely fast (up to 3 feet annually)
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, adaptable to most soils
• Maintenance: Annual trimming is recommended to maintain shape and prevent top-heaviness
• Best for: Large properties and expansive privacy barriers

Tip: Trim regularly to prevent Leyland Cypress from becoming too large for your garden.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Green Giant Arborvitae is celebrated for both its speed of growth and dense, lush foliage. This hedge grows 3 feet per year and forms a beautiful, conical screen ideal for privacy.

• Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist but well-drained
• Maintenance: Minimal; prune for shape if needed
• Best for: Homes seeking a uniform, attractive hedge with low maintenance

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet is a longstanding favorite for instant hedging due to its adaptability and vigor. It can reach heights of 12-15 feet and responds well to frequent trimming, allowing you to maintain precise shapes and sizes.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet annually
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Tolerant of a wide range, prefers well-drained
• Maintenance: Requires regular pruning
• Best for: Formal gardens, neat and tidy hedging lines

4. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Renowned for its large, glossy leaves and resilience, Cherry Laurel grows up to 2 feet per year. With its dense growth, it provides superb privacy and a stunning green wall even in shaded spots.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sunlight: Tolerates sun to deep shade
• Soil: Tolerant, prefers moist but well-drained
• Maintenance: Clip once or twice annually
• Best for: Urban gardens, shade areas, noise reduction

Safety note: All parts of the laurel are toxic if ingested -- exercise caution with pets and children.

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys species)

For a contemporary and exotic privacy screen, bamboo hedges are unmatched. Some clumping varieties can grow 3-5 feet per year. Bamboo is especially effective for urban and small gardens but requires careful variety selection and containment.

• Growth rate: Up to 5 feet annually (clumping varieties recommended over running types)
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moist, fertile, well-drained
• Maintenance: Requires containment; trim both height and running rhizomes
• Best for: Modern yards, Asian-themed gardens, narrow spaces

Important: Avoid running bamboo unless you have a barrier to prevent invasive spreading.

6. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Red Tip Photinia is attractive both for its fast growth and brilliant red new growth. It forms a dense, evergreen hedge up to 12 feet tall, with seasonal white flowers.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet annually
• Sunlight: Full sun for best color
• Soil: Well-drained
• Maintenance: Annual pruning to promote bushiness and control height
• Best for: Colorful privacy screens and floral displays

7. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)

Native to the southeastern United States, Wax Myrtle is an evergreen shrub capable of growing 3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions. Its aromatic, leathery foliage creates a soft-textured privacy screen.

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Adapts to a range, including poor soils
• Maintenance: Prune to desired height and shape
• Best for: Coastal gardens, wildlife-friendly landscapes

Fun fact: Wax myrtle's leaves and berries are naturally fragrant.

8. Escallonia (Escallonia macrantha)

Escallonia is a vivid, flowering hedge that delivers both privacy and seasonal color. Growing up to 2 feet per year, its glossy leaves and clusters of pink or white flowers attract pollinators all summer long.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet annually
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic
• Maintenance: Prune after flowering to maintain shape
• Best for: Flower borders, pollinator-friendly hedges

9. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

With its deep green leaves and tolerance for shaping, Portuguese Laurel forms a dense, elegant hedge useful for fast privacy screens. Although a bit slower than Cherry Laurel, it can still gain up to 2 feet per year and is highly resilient.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet every year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• Maintenance: Easy to trim and shape
• Best for: Shaped, formal hedging, urban privacy barriers

Planting and Caring for Your Instant Privacy Hedge

Key Steps for Rapid Hedge Establishment

• Soil preparation: Incorporate organic matter and ensure good drainage before planting fast-growing hedge plants.
• Spacing: Check species guidelines; crowding leads to weak growth, while wide spacing delays privacy.
• Watering: Water newly planted hedges deeply and regularly for the first two years, especially during dry spells.
• Mulching: Apply mulch to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.
• Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer in spring to speed up growth and establish healthy foliage.

How to Prune and Maintain Fast-Growing Hedges

• Prune regularly: This encourages bushy growth and prevents hedges from becoming leggy.
• Watch for pests and diseases: Fast-growing varieties can be susceptible; remove any affected branches promptly.
• Shape as needed: Most fast-growing hedges tolerate light or even hard pruning, allowing for creative shapes or formal lines.

Instant Privacy vs. Long-Term Planning

While fast-growing hedges provide near-instant privacy, keep in mind their vigorous growth can sometimes lead to maintenance challenges if not routinely managed. If you desire a formal and tidy aesthetic, select species that respond well to pruning. For a more natural or wild look, opt for hedge plants that can be left with minimal shaping.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Hedges

1. Can I plant different types of fast-growing hedges together?

Absolutely! Mixing species can increase biodiversity, aesthetic interest, and resistance to pests. Be sure to choose varieties with similar growth rates and light requirements for the best results.

2. Which fast-growing hedge is best for small gardens?

Portugese Laurel, Bamboo (clumping), and certain compact privet cultivars are all excellent for small spaces. Be sure to check mature dimensions and growth habits.

3. How can I speed up the growth of my privacy hedge?

Provide well-prepared soil, consistent watering, and spring fertilization. Regular light pruning encourages dense growth, which is key to maximizing privacy in the shortest amount of time.

4. Are there any fast-growing privacy hedges that are also wildlife-friendly?

Yes; Wax Myrtle, Escallonia, and Photinia all produce berries or flowers that benefit birds and pollinators.

Conclusion: Transform Your Yard with Fast-Growing Hedges

Instant privacy doesn't have to be a pipe dream! By choosing the right fast-growing hedges for privacy--from lush Leyland Cypress to floral Escallonia--you can enjoy a green sanctuary quickly and enhance the value of your property. Remember to match your hedge with your local climate, available space, and maintenance preferences. With careful planning and regular upkeep, your hedge will soon provide a living wall of beauty, shelter, and peace from the outside world.

Ready to plant? Start your hedge journey this season and enjoy your private green oasis for years to come!

More on Fast-Growing Hedges and Privacy Screens

• Back to Top
• Explore in-depth hedge planting guides for different climates and soil types.
• Compare evergreen vs. deciduous hedging options for seasonal interest.
• Discover creative maintenance and shaping ideas for your fast privacy screen.

If you found this guide helpful, share it to help others discover the benefits and joys of planting fast-growing privacy hedges!