Fast-Growing Hedges: 9 Top Picks for Privacy and Beauty

Creating a private, tranquil, and attractive outdoor space is easier than you think when you choose the right fast-growing hedges. These lush, green barriers not only shield you from noisy neighbors and prying eyes, but they also infuse your landscape with color and life. Whether you're seeking a flowery living fence or a dense, evergreen hedge, this comprehensive guide breaks down the top 9 fast-growing hedge plants to transform your garden into a secluded paradise.

Why Opt for Fast-Growing Hedge Plants?

Investing in fast-growing hedges for privacy is one of the quickest and most effective means to define your property lines or create cozy outdoor rooms. Choosing the right hedge:

• Blocks unwanted views and dampens noise efficiently
• Establishes property borders with natural elegance
• Enhances curb appeal and increases your home's value
• Promotes wildlife by providing food and shelter for birds and pollinators
• Serves as a windbreak, reducing wind speed and protecting delicate plants

The right fast-growing privacy hedges fit both your aesthetic preferences and your local climate. Let's explore the best options for lush, long-lasting beauty and privacy.

9 Top Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy and Beauty

Searching for hedges that quickly transform your yard? These nine varieties are among the fastest and most reliable choices, offering both dense foliage and visual appeal.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Leyland cypress is the gold standard for those wanting solid, evergreen privacy at top speeds--this conifer can grow up to 3 feet per year! With its upright, dense foliage and tall stature, Leyland cypress rapidly forms a green wall that blocks even the busiest streets and nosiest neighbors.

• Growth Rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 6-15 feet (easily clipped lower)
• Best For: Tall privacy screens, windbreaks

Leyland cypress needs full sun and well-drained soil. Prune yearly to encourage lush, dense growth and maintain shape.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

A well-loved fast-growing screening plant, Green Giant Arborvitae rivals the Leyland cypress in growth but is more resistant to pests and diseases. This evergreen develops a lush, dark-green look and is virtually maintenance-free once established.

• Growth Rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 8-20+ feet
• Best For: Large property boundaries, wind protection

Thrives in a range of soils and tolerates drought. Plant 5-6 feet apart for best coverage.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges are a versatile and classic favorite for fast privacy hedges in urban and suburban gardens. Renowned for rapid growth and lush, bright green foliage, privet responds well to tough pruning and can be easily shaped into crisp, formal edges or relaxed, flowing screens.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 4-12 feet
• Best For: Formal or informal hedges, shorter screens

Privet tolerates partial shade and urban pollution, making it adaptable and easy to grow.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The cherry laurel bush is universally praised as a fast-growing, broadleaf evergreen hedge. Its glossy, rich green leaves create a dense barrier with fragrant white flowers in spring, which attract pollinators and add beauty.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 6-15 feet
• Best For: Evergreen screens, flowering privacy hedges

Cherry laurel tolerates shade and pollution, making it perfect for city gardens. Prune after flowering to control height.

5. Red-Tipped Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

If you want a privacy hedge with vivid color, the red-tipped photinia is a standout. Its new leaves emerge brilliant red and mature to glossy green, giving a two-tone effect. Fast, bushy growth can form an impressive, flowering screen.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 6-12 feet
• Best For: Colorful hedges, flowering privacy screens

Red-Tipped Photinia thrives in sun and tolerates light shade. Prune regularly to maintain dense growth.

6. Bamboo (Bambusa and Phyllostachys spp.)

Bamboo hedges bring a modern, exotic flair to gardens and provide peerless screening in record time. Clumping bamboo is best for non-invasive, low-maintenance barriers, while running bamboo fills gaps ultra-fast (with root barriers).

• Growth Rate: 3-5+ feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 8-30 feet or more, depending on variety
• Best For: Instant privacy screens, windbreaks, contemporary designs

Choose clumping varieties for easy maintenance. Prefers sun to part shade and regular watering; install root barriers if using running bamboo.

7. Escallonia (Escallonia spp.)

Escallonia hedges are not only fast-growing but also beautifully adorned with clusters of pink, red, or white blossoms throughout summer. This evergreen option adds both privacy and long-lasting color.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 4-8 feet
• Best For: Flowering hedges, coastal gardens

Thrives in well-drained soil and sunny spots. Drought and salt-tolerant, ideal for sea-facing landscapes.

8. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

For those seeking a fast-growing privacy hedge with a touch of elegance, the Portuguese laurel is a refined choice. Featuring dark green leaves set off by deep red stems and scented white blossoms, this hedge quickly forms a lush, striking screen.

• Growth Rate: 18 inches per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 6-12 feet
• Best For: Formal and informal hedges, shade tolerance

Likes sun or partial shade, suits a range of soils, and tolerates pruning well.

9. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Wax myrtle is a North American native famed for its aromatic foliage and adaptability. As a rapid grower, it creates attractive, airy screens that welcome birds and beneficial insects while offering effective privacy.

• Growth Rate: up to 3 feet per year
• Ideal Hedge Height: 5-10 feet
• Best For: Naturalistic hedges, mixed wildlife-friendly borders

Tolerates poor soils, salt spray, and drought. Thrives in full sun to part shade. Great in rain gardens and swales.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedges for Your Garden

With so many quick-growing privacy hedges at your disposal, how do you make the best choice? Consider these factors as you design your living fence:

• Climate: Choose hedges that thrive in your USDA zone and typical weather conditions.
• Sun/Shade: Some hedges need full sun, while others tolerate or require partial shade.
• Soil Type: Identify your soil's drainage, pH, and fertility for best hedge health.
• Desired Height and Width: Select a species that fits your space and screen height needs.
• Maintenance Levels: Fast growers often need more pruning--consider how much time you can devote.
• Special Features: Want blossoms, wildlife value, or evergreen cover year-round?

Consult your local nursery or extension service to ensure the best hedge plants for your region.

Planting and Caring for Fast-Growing Hedge Plants

Preparation and Planting Tips

• Dig a deep, wide trench rather than individual holes to ensure roots spread evenly.
• Space plants according to mature width for a tight screen--too close, and they'll compete; too far, and you'll wait longer for privacy.
• Water regularly the first 1-2 years, especially during dry spells, to establish healthy roots.
• Mulch generously to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize annually with a balanced slow-release food, unless your chosen hedges prefer lean soil.

Pruning and Long-Term Care

• Start pruning hedges early to encourage bushy, dense growth from the base up.
• Shear or hand-prune after flowering (for deciduous or blooming types) or in late winter/early spring (for evergreens).
• Remove dead, damaged, or crowded branches to maintain airflow and prevent disease.
• Watch for pests and diseases, especially in monoculture plantings. Rotate plant types if possible for resilience.

Regular attention in the early years results in a healthy, robust, and beautiful privacy hedge for decades to come.

Benefits of Fast-Growing Hedges Over Fencing

• Eco-friendly: Living screens purify air and provide habitat.
• Cost-effective: Hedges are often cheaper and more enduring than wood or vinyl fencing.
• Attractiveness: Year-round beauty, flowers, and seasonal interest outshine plain fencing.
• Noise reduction: Dense foliage absorbs and deflects sound better than many artificial barriers.
• Property value: Mature, well-maintained hedges increase home value and curb appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I expect a fast-growing hedge to form a screen?

With ideal growing conditions, fastest-growing hedges like Leyland cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, or bamboo can produce a solid screen in as little as 2-3 years. Slower varieties may require up to 5 years to achieve full density.

Are fast-growing hedges high-maintenance?

Most quick privacy hedges need several prunings annually, especially when establishing boundaries or shapes. Some, like privet and photinia, are highly responsive to trimming; others, such as wax myrtle, require less frequent attention. Starting strong with regular shaping will pay dividends in a low-maintenance, dense hedge.

Can I mix different hedge species for better effect?

Absolutely! Mixing fast and moderate growers, evergreens and deciduous shrubs, or hedge plants with different foliage colors or blooms can create layered, resilient, and visually stunning screens. Mixing species can also help reduce pest and disease risks.

What is the best time to plant a fast-growing hedge?

Early spring or early fall is ideal, allowing roots to settle before summer heat or winter cold. Container-grown hedges can be planted nearly any time, so long as regular watering is provided.

Conclusion: Your Fast Track to Privacy and Natural Beauty

Transforming your property with a fast-growing living hedge is the ultimate way to enjoy quick privacy, vibrant scenery, and increased property value. Whether you crave an evergreen wall, a blooming fence, or a naturalistic border, there's a perfect plant among these 9 top picks for your unique landscape needs.

Start planning your fast-growing hedge project today and look forward to lush, private, and beautiful garden rooms in just a few short seasons!