9 fast-growing hedges to ensure the privacy you desire

Posted on 14/08/2025

9 Fast-Growing Hedges to Ensure the Privacy You Desire

Have you ever wanted to relax in your garden or backyard without worrying about prying eyes? If so, you're not alone. Homeowners everywhere are searching for effective privacy hedges that not only provide seclusion but also enhance the natural beauty around their homes. With so many species available, choosing the right fast-growing hedge for privacy can be a challenge.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore nine of the best fast-growing privacy hedges for your home. We'll also cover essential tips to help you select, plant, and maintain your hedges, ensuring you achieve the green, private sanctuary you desire. Whether you have a small city yard or a sprawling suburban property, there's a hedging solution here for you.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

When it comes to landscaping for privacy, hedges are one of the most popular, natural choices. Here's why many homeowners turn to fast-growing hedges:

• Quick Results: Get the privacy you crave without waiting for years.
• Natural Beauty: Adds vibrant color and living texture to your yard.
• Wildlife Benefits: Provides shelter and food for birds and pollinators.
• Noise Reduction: Dense hedges can help block noise from streets and neighbors.
• Windbreaks: Acts as a buffer against strong winds, protecting other plants.

Now, let's dive into the best fast-growing hedge varieties to ensure privacy in your outdoor spaces.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Overview

Leyland cypress is often the top choice for fast privacy hedges in the United States and Europe. This evergreen tree can skyrocket up to three feet per year, forming a dense, impressive screen within a short period.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-60 feet
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, adaptable

Care Tips

Maintain a tidy, formal appearance with regular shaping. Plant 3-5 feet apart for a thick, impenetrable living fence.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Overview

If you're looking for a no-fuss privacy screen with fast growth and resilience, Green Giant arborvitae stands out. This lush evergreen is immune to common diseases and deer-resistant, making it a trouble-free hedge.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-50 feet
• Light: Full sun
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Care Tips

Plant 5-7 feet apart for optimal privacy. Regular watering during the first few seasons boosts growth and health.

3. Privet (Ligustrum species)

Overview

Famous for classic English gardens, privet hedges are a staple among fast-growing living fences. Their semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage creates a thick, structured hedge when regularly trimmed.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 4-15 feet (depending on variety)
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Adaptable to many soils

Care Tips

To ensure the ultimate privacy hedge, trim privet two to three times a year during the growing season.

4. Bamboo

Overview

For those wanting a unique, exotic aesthetic, bamboo hedges for privacy are a standout choice. Running varieties are best planted with barrier systems to prevent spreading, while clumping types (Fargesia) are easier to manage.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year (in ideal conditions)
• Mature Height: 10-40 feet depending on variety
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Care Tips

Contain bamboo roots to avoid invasive spread. Regular watering and mulching keep bamboo looking its best.

5. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri "Red Tip")

Overview

Photinia, particularly "Red Tip" cultivars, are perfect for adding a burst of color to your fast-growing privacy screen. Their glossy green leaves flush with bright red new growth, producing stunning visual appeal.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• Light: Full sun for best color
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile soils

Care Tips

Keep hedges dense by pruning after new red growth appears each spring.

6. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Overview

Cherry laurel is an evergreen champion, forming a lush, glossy wall excellent for blocking unwanted views. Highly adaptable and robust, this shrub tolerates shade and urban air pollution.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 15-20 feet
• Light: Full sun to full shade
• Soil: Well-drained, adaptable

Care Tips

Trim regularly to maintain height and encourage denser foliage.

7. Boxwood (Buxus species)

Overview

Boxwoods remain a classic choice for those seeking a formal, elegant privacy hedge. While not the fastest of the group, some hybrids and varieties grow at a surprising rate, especially in optimal conditions.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: Up to 1 foot per year (fast-growing types such as "Green Mountain")
• Mature Height: 3-6 feet (taller with certain cultivars)
• Light: Partial shade to full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, rich soil

Care Tips

Boxwoods respond well to regular trimming but don't over-prune during the heat of summer.

8. Viburnum

Overview

Viburnums span a wide variety of species, many of which are ideal for privacy hedges. Their semi-evergreen to evergreen leaves, showy spring flowers, and autumn berries make them multi-season performers.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-15 feet (varies by species)
• Light: Sun to shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic

Care Tips

Prune after flowering to maintain shape and maximize blooms next season.

9. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Overview

For a fast-growing privacy hedge that's both hardy and striking, Portuguese laurel is a top contender. Its dark-green, glossy leaves and red-tinted stems provide year-round interest and dependable screening.

Key Features

• Growth Rate: 1.5-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Light: Sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, tolerates drought and poor soils

Care Tips

Plant 2-3 feet apart for a tight hedge. Once established, Portuguese laurel is drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

Key Considerations When Selecting the Right Privacy Hedge

Choosing the ideal fast-growing privacy hedge for your landscape involves more than just picking the fastest grower. Here are some important factors to evaluate:

• Climate Compatibility: Choose species that thrive in your local climate zone for best growth and health.
• Height & Spread: Consider the desired mature height and width needed for effective screening.
• Maintenance Needs: Some hedges require regular pruning to stay neat and dense.
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreens offer year-round privacy; deciduous may lose leaves in winter.
• Sunlight & Soil: Ensure the species matches your garden's sunlight levels and soil type.
• Pest & Disease Resistance: Opt for varieties known for their resilience and adaptability.

Planting and Maintaining Your Fast-Growing Hedge

Best Planting Practices

• Soil Preparation: Loosen soil to a depth of 1-2 feet. Mix in compost for fertility.
• Spacing: Plant hedges close enough for dense foliage, but far enough for individual growth (see species tips above).
• Watering: Newly planted hedges need regular watering, especially during the first year.
• Mulching: Add organic mulch around the base to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.

Ongoing Maintenance Tips

• Pruning: Prune regularly to shape and encourage bushier growth.
• Feeding: Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring to boost lush foliage.
• Monitoring: Watch for pests, diseases, or leaf yellowing; treat promptly.

Benefits of a Living Privacy Screen

Investing in a vigorous, fast-growing privacy hedge yields year-round rewards:

• Instant Privacy: Rapidly shields your home from passersby and busy neighbors.
• Natural Windbreak: Reduces wind exposure for a calmer microclimate.
• Wildlife Support: Attracts birds, bees, and butterflies to your garden.
• Property Value: A well-kept hedge boosts curb appeal and desirability.
• Eco-Friendly: Less expensive than fencing, with reduced carbon footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Hedge Plants

How quickly can I expect privacy from my hedge plants?

The fastest-growing hedges like Leyland Cypress or Green Giant arborvitae can provide a substantial screen within 2-4 years, depending on initial size and local conditions.

Are evergreen privacy hedges better than deciduous ones?

Evergreen hedges maintain coverage all year round, while deciduous types may offer better biodiversity and seasonal interest. Your needs and climate will determine the best fit.

Can I plant a hedge along a fence line?

Absolutely! Hedging along fences improves privacy and softens the hard lines of traditional fencing, offering an attractive, lush look.

Conclusion: Secure Your Privacy with Fast-Growing Hedges

Finding the right fast-growing hedges for privacy is crucial for crafting an inviting, secluded outdoor retreat. Whether you prefer the structured style of boxwood, the dramatic height of Leyland cypress, or the unique appearance of bamboo, there's a privacy hedge option suited for every landscape and homeowner.

By considering growth rate, maintenance requirements, and site conditions, you can establish a thriving natural living wall that brings beauty and tranquility to your property for years to come. Start planning your privacy hedge today and enjoy the satisfaction and peace of mind that comes with a green, private oasis.