Maximize Privacy with These 9 Quick-growing Hedge Options
Posted on 29/06/2025
Maximize Privacy with These 9 Quick-Growing Hedge Options
When it comes to crafting a backyard sanctuary, privacy is often a top priority for homeowners and gardening enthusiasts alike. A lush, living screen not only shields your yard from prying eyes but can also beautify your landscape, reduce noise, and even provide habitat for birds. If you're seeking to maximize privacy with quick-growing hedges, you're in the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we'll uncover the 9 best fast-growing hedge plants for privacy, explore their care essentials, and provide tips to help you establish a vibrant green barrier--fast.
Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?
*Speed, beauty,* and functionality--these are the hallmarks of quick-growing hedge options. While fencing can serve its purpose, living privacy screens:
- Add year-round beauty and texture to your yard
- Filter wind, dust, and noise pollution
- Support local ecosystems and pollinators
- Increase property value and curb appeal
The Best Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy
Ready to discover the top choices for maximizing privacy with quick-growing hedges? Below are 9 of the most effective and attractive shrub options to plant for a secluded, tranquil yard.
1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
Leyland Cypress is renowned for its astonishing growth rate--up to 3 feet per year under ideal conditions! Its feathery, blue-green foliage forms an impenetrable wall when planted in a row.
- Growth rate: Rapid (2-3 feet yearly)
- Height: 50-70 feet, but can be pruned for shorter hedges
- Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Best for: Large properties and extensive privacy screens
*Tip: Prune annually to maintain your desired height and thickness.
2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
If you want a dense, formal look, privet hedges are time-tested favorites. Common privet can shoot up by 2-3 feet each season and provides a solid, leafy barrier.
- Growth rate: Fast (about 2 feet per year)
- Height: 10-15 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Best for: Formal hedges and border plantings
*Keep in mind: Privet can spread aggressively. Monitor its growth and trim regularly.
3. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis & Thuja 'Green Giant')
The arborvitae family is prized for its year-round greenery and soft texture. The popular 'Green Giant' variety lives up to its name, quickly forming a tall privacy wall.
- Growth rate: Rapid (up to 3 feet yearly for 'Green Giant')
- Height: 20-40 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun
- Best for: Large, tall hedges with deer resistance
*Fun fact: Arborvitae is almost maintenance-free once established.
4. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)
Few plants offer the ultra-fast growth of bamboo. For privacy hedges, clumping bamboo (like Bambusa multiplex or Fargesia spp.) is best, as it spreads less aggressively than running types.
- Growth rate: Exceptionally fast (can reach 20 feet within 3 years!)
- Height: 12-30 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Best for: Asian-inspired gardens and modern landscapes
*Warning: Avoid planting running bamboo unless you install deep root barriers!
5. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Native to the southeastern U.S., wax myrtle is an evergreen shrub renowned for its fragrant leaves and rapid habit. It tolerates most soils and is perfect for mild climates.
- Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Height: Typically 10-20 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
- Best for: Coastal gardens and informal hedges
*Bonus: Bird-friendly berries appear in late summer.
6. Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium)
Known for their glossy leaves and sweet-scented flowers, Pittosporums are fast-growing and make a stunning, dense privacy hedge.
- Growth rate: Fast (up to 24 inches a year)
- Height: 8-12 feet (up to 30 feet over time!)
- Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
- Best for: Mild, temperate regions
*Tip: Choose variegated varieties for additional ornamental value.
7. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)
With its striking copper-red new growth, Photinia is as beautiful as it is functional. This shrub forms an effective privacy screen when planted in mass.
- Growth rate: Approximately 2-3 feet per year
- Height: 10-15 feet (can be maintained lower with pruning)
- Sun needs: Full sun
- Best for: Colorful, evergreen privacy hedges
*Insider secret: Clip lightly in spring to keep foliage glowing.
8. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Cherry Laurel's dense, glossy green leaves create a dependable screen. It's fast to establish and can be pruned into any desired shape.
- Growth rate: Quick (2+ feet per year)
- Height: 10-20 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Best for: Shaded gardens and urban areas
*Note: All parts are toxic if ingested. Use caution around pets and children.
9. Viburnum (Viburnum tinus & Viburnum odoratissimum)
Viburnums offer year-round privacy with a burst of fragrant blooms. 'Sweet Viburnum' is especially popular for tall, evergreen hedges.
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet annually
- Height: 10-20 feet
- Sun needs: Full sun to part shade
- Best for: Flowering privacy hedges
*Added benefit: Attracts pollinators and birds throughout the seasons.
How to Plant and Maintain a Quick-Growing Privacy Hedge
To maximize privacy with fast-growing hedges, start off on the right foot! Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Select the right plant: Consider your climate, soil, space, and whether you want evergreens or deciduous varieties.
- Prepare the site well: Remove weeds and improve soil quality with organic matter.
- Follow correct spacing: Crowd plants and you limit their growth; space too far apart and privacy will take longer! Research the ideal spacing for your chosen species.
- Water deeply and regularly: Young hedges need consistent moisture for the first 1-2 years.
- Fertilize annually: Use a balanced or slow-release fertilizer to encourage robust growth.
- Prune for density: Regular, light trimming encourages bushy growth (even for fast-growing hedges).
- Mulch generously: Reduces weeds and keeps roots cool and moist.
- Monitor for pests and disease: Quick-growing plants can be susceptible--promptly address any issues.
Top Tips to Maximize Privacy with Quick-Growing Hedges
- Layer plants: Combine fast-growing hedges with slower shrubs or ornamental grasses for added texture and security.
- Stagger planting: Create a zigzag or offset pattern for a thicker, bushier screen.
- Keep it evergreen: Choose evergreen hedge varieties if you want year-round seclusion.
- Start with larger plants: If you need instant privacy, buy the largest specimens your budget allows.
- Add climbing vines: Use trellises or fences as supports for flowering vines to complement your hedge.
- Consult neighbors and regulations: Ensure your hedge doesn't violate local ordinances or upset neighborly relations!
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Plants
Which is the fastest growing hedge for privacy?
Leyland Cypress, 'Green Giant' Arborvitae, and clumping bamboo are considered among the fastest-growing privacy hedges, capable of gaining 2-3 feet or more per year.
Can I plant a privacy hedge in pots?
Yes--many hedging shrubs will thrive in large containers, though they'll need more frequent watering and feeding. Good choices for potted privacy include Boxwood, Viburnum, and **compact Photinia varieties**.
Can I mix different plant types for a privacy screen?
Absolutely! Mixing varieties can add *visual interest* and ensure coverage if one species struggles. Just match plants with similar soil, light, and water needs.
How long before I get full privacy?
With most fast-growing hedge options, you'll see a significant privacy boost within 2-4 years, depending on initial plant size and care.
Conclusion: Create Your Secluded Sanctuary Today
If you dream of a secluded outdoor retreat, maximizing privacy with quick-growing hedges is a natural and rewarding solution. Whether you plant the stately Leyland Cypress, classic Privet, or exotic Bamboo, these vigorous shrubs will transform your yard from exposed to enclosed--in record time.
Remember to choose the right hedge species for your region, prepare your planting site thoroughly, and provide consistent care for the first few years. With a little planning and patience, you'll enjoy dense, lush screening and a peaceful garden oasis for decades to come.
Embrace your privacy. Plant boldly. Enjoy nature's best living fence!
