Grow Privacy Fast: 9 Hedge Varieties to Consider

Posted on 01/07/2025

Grow Privacy Fast: 9 Hedge Varieties to Consider

If you're seeking the ultimate boundary for your garden, a fast-growing privacy hedge is an excellent way to enhance your landscape and protect your personal space. Not only do these living walls create a lush green backdrop, but they also offer year-round interest, reduce noise, and shield your property from wind and prying eyes. In this comprehensive article, we'll explore some of the best fast-growing hedge varieties to help you achieve the privacy and beauty your outdoor sanctuary deserves.

Why Choose a Privacy Hedge?

There are countless benefits to growing hedges for privacy:

• Natural Screen: They create a living barrier that's both beautiful and functional.
• Noise Reduction: Dense foliage helps absorb and lessen outside noise.
• Wind Protection: Hedges provide a natural windbreak for your garden or yard.
• Wildlife Habitat: They attract birds and beneficial insects, supporting local wildlife.
• Increased Property Value: A well-maintained hedge can boost your curb appeal and home value.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, hedges often require less upkeep than traditional fences.

A fast-growing privacy hedge can quickly transform your outdoor space, making it both private and inviting.

How to Select the Best Fast-Growing Hedge for Privacy

When choosing a fast-growing hedge variety, consider:

• Climate suitability for your region
• Growth rate and mature height
• Evergreen vs. deciduous plants (year-round vs. seasonal privacy)
• Maintenance requirements
• Sun/shade preferences

Below, we explore the top 9 hedge options for rapid privacy growth--all tried and tested by gardeners and landscapers for their vigor and visual appeal.

Grow Privacy Fast: 9 Hedge Varieties to Consider

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is renowned as one of the fastest-growing privacy trees you can plant. With a phenomenal growth rate of 3-4 feet per year, it can rapidly form a tall, dense screen.

• Height: Up to 60 feet, but can be kept lower with regular pruning
• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Ideal for large properties and those needing an instant privacy solution.

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

A champion in fast-growing evergreen hedge shrubs, Green Giant Arborvitae produces a soft, feathery privacy wall at a rate of 3 feet per year.

• Height: 30-50 feet
• Growth Rate: 3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Excellent for formal hedges. Resistant to most pests and tolerates various soil types.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges are classic choices for their lush, dense foliage and rapid growth--2 to 3 feet per year. Though semi-evergreen or deciduous in cold climates, privet still offers great privacy during the growing season.

• Height: 8-15 feet
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Evergreen: Varies by region

Perfect for sculpted, formal appearances or flowering hedges.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Offering shiny, large leaves, Cherry Laurel stands out as an excellent evergreen privacy shrub. It grows quickly and fills out densely, making it ideal for a visual and sound barrier.

• Height: 10-25 feet
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to deep shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Great for shaded areas, urban gardens, and broadleaf screening.

5. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

If you're seeking instant, exotic privacy, Bamboo hedges are an ultra-fast privacy solution. Only plant clumping types (not running bamboos) to avoid invasiveness.

• Height: 10-30 feet, depending on variety
• Growth Rate: Up to several feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Clumping bamboo offers quick growth and year-round cover without becoming a garden headache.

6. American Holly (Ilex opaca)

American Holly delivers all-season privacy with glossy green leaves and bright red berries. While it's not the quickest on the list, it is deer-resistant and adds ornamental value.

• Height: 15-30 feet
• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Beautiful, classic option for a privacy hedge with wildlife interest.

7. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

Skip Laurel is a robust, glossy-leaved evergreen that's ideal for narrow spaces and rapid privacy. Its compact growth is perfect for tight boundaries and side yards.

• Height: 10-18 feet
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Prefers part shade but tolerates full sun
• Evergreen: Yes

Excellent for living fences in urban environments.

8. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Tip')

Red Tip Photinia offers fast growth and dazzling, red-tipped new foliage that matures to glossy green. This shrub is both eye-catching and effective as a hedge plant.

• Height: 10-15 feet
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Evergreen: Yes

Provide regular pruning to maintain its shape and promote dense new growth.

9. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

For southern gardens, Wax Myrtle is a hardy, fast-growing privacy shrub that tolerates poor soils and coastal conditions. Its fragrant leaves and airy, evergreen form are unique among hedge plants.

• Height: 10-20 feet
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Evergreen: Yes (in warmer climates)

Great for informal, wildlife-friendly screens.

Tips for Planting a Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

• Soil Preparation: Prior to planting, enrich the soil with compost and ensure good drainage.
• Proper Spacing: Hedge spacing varies by species--generally, plant 2 to 5 feet apart.
• Irrigation: Keep hedges consistently moist while establishing roots, especially the first two years.
• Mulching: Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages fuller growth and maintains a neat appearance.
• Feeding: Use a balanced fertilizer in spring for vigorous growth.
• Monitoring: Watch for pests, diseases, and nutritional deficiencies.

Common Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?

Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are among the fastest-growing options for instant privacy, often reaching up to 3-4 feet per year.

What is the best evergreen hedge for year-round privacy?

Green Giant Arborvitae, Cherry Laurel, Bamboo (clumping types), and Skip Laurel are stellar evergreen hedge plants, providing thick coverage in all seasons.

Can I grow a privacy hedge in partial shade?

Yes, several varieties--such as Cherry Laurel, Skip Laurel, and Wax Myrtle--tolerate or even thrive in partial shade, giving you flexibility in your garden design.

How soon will my hedge provide privacy?

With fast-growing privacy shrubs, you can expect a significant screen within 2 to 3 years of planting, depending on starting size and care.

Conclusion: Create Instant Privacy with Fast-Growing Hedges

Choosing the right fast-growing hedge for privacy is a smart investment for your home and garden. Whether your priority is evergreen coverage, ornamental beauty, or low maintenance, there is a hedge to suit every style and need. The above nine varieties are proven performers across different climates and situations--each offering rapid growth and effective screening. By considering your local conditions and following best planting practices, you can enjoy a beautiful, private outdoor retreat in no time.

Start planning your living fence today and watch as your yard transforms into a private, green oasis. If you're ready to add beauty and seclusion to your landscape, these best fast-growing privacy hedges are an excellent place to begin.

Additional Resources

• RHS Guide to Hedging Plants
• Arbor Day Foundation: Tree Guide
• Gardening Know How: Fast-Growing Shrubs

Happy planting, and may your privacy grow fast and lush!