Fast-Track Your Privacy with These 9 Growing Hedges

Posted on 19/05/2025

Fast-Track Your Privacy with These 9 Growing Hedges

In today's evolving world, the demand for home privacy has never been higher. Whether you're aiming to shield your backyard retreat or obscure your house from street view, growing hedges for privacy provides an eco-friendly and aesthetic solution. Hedges don't just offer a green barrier -- they enhance your property's landscape, absorb noise, and create a welcoming habitat for wildlife. This comprehensive guide introduces you to nine fast-growing privacy hedges that ensure seclusion and beauty.

Why Invest in Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

When considering landscape design, many homeowners debate between installing a fence and planting a living hedge. Fast-growing privacy hedges bring numerous advantages that go beyond what a simple fence can offer:

• Speedy Privacy - Some hedging plants can grow several feet per year, allowing you to achieve coverage quickly.
• Evergreen Appeal - Many hedge varieties keep their leaves year-round for uninterrupted privacy.
• Eco-Friendly Living Walls - Unlike plastic or metal fencing, living hedges absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
• Noise and Wind Reduction - Dense foliage acts as a natural buffer, reducing noise pollution and wind impact.
• Wildlife Habitat - Hedges support beneficial insects, birds, and pollinators.

Ready to discover the best options for your yard? Here are the top 9 fast-growing privacy hedges that guarantee both instant impact and lasting beauty.

9 Rapid-Growing Hedges for Ultimate Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is often hailed as a top choice for those seeking an evergreen privacy screen. This hedge can grow up to 3 feet annually, quickly forming a lush and towering barrier. Its feathery, deep-green foliage provides year-round coverage, thriving in a range of soils and tolerating partial shade.

• Growth Rate: Fast (up to 3 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Tall screens, windbreaks, quick privacy
• Maintenance: Requires periodic trimming to maintain shape and height

Tip: Plant Leyland Cypress 3-5 feet apart for a seamless, full privacy hedge.

2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

A classic favorite, privet hedges are renowned for their rapid establishment and thick foliage. This deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub offers privacy within a single growing season.

• Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Formal hedges, borders, adaptable to various climates
• Maintenance: Regular pruning encourages denser growth

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

Seeking an easy-care, disease-resistant hedge? The Green Giant Arborvitae is a resilient evergreen that forms an imposing, privacy-ensuring wall in a matter of years. Its dense, soft needles and elegant columnar form make it a landscape standout.

• Growth Rate: Very fast (3-5 feet per year under ideal conditions)
• Ideal for: Large yards, quick coverage, low-maintenance privacy
• Maintenance: Rarely needs pruning; highly tolerant of different soils

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cherry Laurel is prized for its glossy, deep-green leaves and aromatic white flowers. This evergreen hedge is resilient, handles shade well, and creates a solid, impenetrable privacy barrier in just a few seasons.

• Growth Rate: Fast (up to 2 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Shady areas, evergreen structure, textured interest
• Maintenance: Occasional trimming keeps foliage compact and neat

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)

For homeowners wanting an exotic look, bamboo offers unmatched speed in creating a dense, tall hedge. However, always choose a clumping bamboo variety to avoid invasive spreading.

• Growth Rate: Extremely fast (up to 5 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Contemporary landscapes, noise blocking, unique screening
• Maintenance: Install root barriers and trim as needed

Note: Bamboo is a sustainable privacy plant but, without proper maintenance, can become invasive.

6. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')

Emerald Green Arborvitae is perfect for smaller yards where a neat, evergreen hedge is desired. Its shining emerald foliage remains vibrant throughout the year, providing an elegant privacy fence alternative.

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Small properties, formal hedges, narrow screening
• Maintenance: Minimal pruning required; drought-tolerant

7. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')

If you're seeking both privacy and color, Photinia offers shiny leaves that flush out a brilliant red in spring, maturing to glossy green throughout the season. Fast-growing and adaptable, it's a standout hedge for curb appeal.

• Growth Rate: Fast (up to 2 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Flowering interest, colorful borders, mild climates
• Maintenance: Prune after the bright red flush to maintain density and color

8. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

A timeless option, boxwood hedges lend formal elegance to any landscape. Though traditionally slow-growing, many modern varieties (like 'Green Mountain' or 'Green Velvet') grow at a steady pace and quickly form a dense privacy hedge when well-maintained.

• Growth Rate: Moderate (1 foot per year for select varieties)
• Ideal for: Structure, formal gardens, shaping into topiaries
• Maintenance: Regular trimming promotes tight, lush growth

9. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus)

Cotoneaster is loved for its arching branches, glossy leaves, and clusters of red berries that attract birds. Deciduous varieties grow rapidly and provide a dense, informal barrier perfect for privacy and natural beauty.

• Growth Rate: Fast (1-2 feet per year)
• Ideal for: Mixed hedging, wildlife-friendly borders, autumn color
• Maintenance: Prune after flowering to shape and encourage density

How to Choose the Right Hedge for Your Space

Before planting your quick-growing privacy hedge, consider these essential factors to ensure long-term success:

• Climate Compatibility: Select hedge species suited to your local climate and hardiness zone.
• Sunlight Requirements: Some hedges thrive in full sun, while others (like Cherry Laurel) tolerate shade.
• Space and Height: Review the mature size of your chosen hedge to avoid overcrowding or blocking desired views.
• Maintenance Needs: Decide how much time you're willing to invest in pruning and shaping your living privacy screen.
• Soil Conditions: Test your soil and address drainage issues before planting to support rapid, healthy growth.

Expert Tips for Accelerating Hedge Growth

• Start with Healthy Plants: Purchase vigorous, disease-free saplings from reputable nurseries.
• Feed Regularly: Use a balanced fertilizer to promote lush growth and strong root development.
• Mulch for Moisture: Applying mulch conserves water and prevents competitive weeds.
• Water Consistently: Young hedges need regular watering, especially during their first growing season.
• Prune for Density: Early and regular trimming encourages bushy, thick hedges for better privacy.

The Environmental Benefits of Living Privacy Hedges

Beyond privacy, fast-growing garden hedges offer a range of environmental positives:

• Wildlife Shelter: Hedges support birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects throughout the year.
• Air Quality Improvement: Dense foliage filters dust, pollen, and airborne pollutants.
• Erosion Control: Deep root systems stabilize soil and prevent runoff.
• Carbon Sequestration: Plants absorb carbon dioxide, helping offset your household's emissions.

Incorporating a living privacy fence is a sustainable move that benefits both your family and the planet.

Privacy Hedge Care: Long-Term Maintenance

Even the fastest-growing privacy screen needs regular care to ensure beauty and function. Here's how to maximize your hedge's health:

• Annual Pruning: Shape your hedge for symmetry and remove dead or damaged branches.
• Fertilization: Feed established hedges in early spring for vigorous new growth.
• Weed Control: Keep the area at the base clear to minimize competition for nutrients.
• Monitor for Pests and Disease: Early detection and treatment ensure healthy greenery year-round.

Conclusion: Fast-Track Your Privacy and Elevate Your Landscape

Planting fast-growing hedges for privacy is an investment in your home's tranquility, security, and curb appeal. Whether you prefer the towering grandeur of Leyland Cypress, the classic elegance of boxwood, or the tropical ambiance of bamboo, there's a rapid-growth option perfect for your needs. With proper selection, planting, and care, your living privacy screen will not only block prying eyes but also enrich the environment and add value to your property. Start planning your instant green retreat today -- because with these nine resilient hedge plants, your secluded garden sanctuary is just a season away!

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

• Which hedge grows the fastest?
  *Bamboo and Leyland Cypress are among the fastest, often establishing privacy in 1-2 seasons when well-maintained.*
• How far apart should privacy hedges be planted?
  *Spacing depends on the species -- generally, 3-5 feet is ideal for dense coverage.*
• What is the easiest privacy hedge to maintain?
  *Green Giant Arborvitae and Emerald Green Arborvitae need minimal pruning and thrive in a variety of soils.*
• Are privacy hedges pet and child-friendly?
  *Some hedges, like boxwood and privet, are safer; avoid yews and laurels if pets are prone to nibbling leaves or berries.*

Fast-track your privacy and transform your outdoor space with stunning, fast-growing hedges. Your new green screen awaits!