Achieve Privacy Fast with These 9 Growing Hedge Options

Posted on 06/06/2025

Achieve Privacy Fast with These 9 Growing Hedge Options

Looking to transform your outdoor space into a private oasis? Privacy hedges are a fantastic way to add beauty, create boundaries, and shield your yard from prying eyes -- and the best part is some hedges grow incredibly fast. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover how to achieve privacy quickly with 9 fast-growing hedge options that suit various climates, garden sizes, and aesthetic preferences.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Hedges aren't just about seclusion; they also boost curb appeal, act as natural sound barriers, and add year-round interest to your landscape. If you don't want to wait for years to enjoy these benefits, choosing quick-growing privacy hedges makes sense. Fast-growing varieties can reach impressive heights -- often 3 to 6 feet per year -- providing your desired level of privacy in a much shorter time frame.

Factors to Consider Before Planting Privacy Hedges

• Climate and Hardiness: Ensure your chosen hedge suits your USDA plant hardiness zone.
• Sunlight Requirements: Does your yard get full sun, partial shade, or deep shade?
• Soil Type & Drainage: Match the hedge to your soil for vigorous growth.
• Desired Height & Width: Consider ultimate size to avoid overcrowding or blocking views.
• Maintenance Level: Some fast growing hedges need more pruning than others to remain tidy.

With these factors in mind, let's explore the best options for privacy hedges that grow rapidly.

9 Fastest-Growing Hedges for Privacy

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

• Growth Rate: 3 to 5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-50 feet

Green Giant Arborvitae is a superstar among rapidly growing privacy hedges. Its dense, evergreen foliage stands up well to pests and disease, needing minimal maintenance. Plant this hedge in full sun to partial shade, and it will quickly form a lush living wall, ideal for both large suburban properties and rural settings.

Bonus: It's deer-resistant and tolerates a range of soils.

2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

• Growth Rate: 3 to 4 feet per year
• Mature Height: 40-60 feet

When you need immediate privacy, Leyland Cypress is renowned for its speed of growth. It presents soft, feathery blue-green foliage and forms a uniform, tidy wall. Make sure to prune regularly to keep it at a manageable height since it can become massive if left unchecked!
Tip: Provide ample spacing for air circulation to prevent disease.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

• Growth Rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-15 feet

For those seeking a formal hedge with rapid coverage, Privet is the classic choice. It's a favorite for its lush green leaves, adaptability to shaping, and tolerance of urban environments. Privet hedges respond well to frequent pruning, allowing you to maintain crisp lines or soft curves. Best for: Driveways, walkways, and property boundaries.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 15-30 feet

With its broad, glossy evergreen leaves, Cherry Laurel provides an elegant privacy solution. It thrives in both full sun and partial shade and tolerates clay soils. Hardy and relatively low-maintenance, it quickly creates a dense screen--plus it produces fragrant white flowers in spring.

5. Bamboo (Bambusa & Phyllostachys spp.)

• Growth Rate: Up to 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 12-40+ feet, depending on species

If you want privacy in record time, few plants can outpace bamboo. Clumping varieties (like Bambusa textilis) won't invade your yard, making them excellent for fast privacy hedges. Bamboo offers a contemporary, tropical vibe and is ideal where space is limited or where you want a unique look.
Remember: Always choose non-invasive, clumping species for controllable growth.

6. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet

A top choice in the southern US, Wax Myrtle quickly fills out to form a soft-textured, aromatic hedge. This adaptable evergreen tolerates both sun and partial shade and even withstands salt spray, making it perfect for coastal gardens.
Fun fact: Its berries attract birds and wildlife.

7. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri, especially 'Red Tip')

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet

For a show-stopping hedge, consider Photinia's glossy green leaves and vibrant red new growth. As a fast-growing privacy screen, it thrives in full sun and quickly hides unsightly views or neighbors. Regular pruning encourages bushy habit and vibrant coloration.

8. Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus or 'Hedge Cotoneaster')

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 6-10 feet

Cotoneaster excels as a fast privacy solution for moderate climates. Dense branching, glossy leaves, white flowers, and bright red berries provide four-season interest. It tolerates urban pollution and is excellent for neat, manageable hedges.

9. American Holly (Ilex opaca)

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 15-30 feet

For year-round privacy with a classic look, American Holly stands out. Its prickly, evergreen leaves and red berries create a dense, wildlife-friendly barrier. While slightly slower than some other options, its steady growth and natural elegance make it ideal for those willing to wait just a little longer for robust results.

Tips for Planting a Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

• Plan for Space: Check mature width and plant accordingly for vigorous, healthy growth.
• Soil Preparation: Loosen soil, add compost, and ensure good drainage.
• Watering: Regular watering is crucial during the first 1-2 years.
• Mulch: Add mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize: Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring to encourage rapid growth.
• Pruning: Frequent trimming during the growth period ensures a dense, uniform hedge.

Other Rapid-Growing Privacy Plants to Consider

Looking to diversify your landscape or try something out-of-the-box? Here are a few more fast-growing privacy options to explore:

• Willow hybrid trees (Salix spp.)
• Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
• Boxwood (for small, shaped hedges)
• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), great for formal screens
• Escallonia (flowering evergreen with rapid growth)

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Privacy Hedges

What is the fastest-growing hedge for privacy?

The fastest-growing mainstream options include Green Giant Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, and Bamboo (clumping types). All three can grow 3 to 5 feet per year under optimal conditions.

Which hedge is best for small spaces?

Consider Boxwood, Photinia, or Hedge Cotoneaster for compact gardens or tight borders -- these can be pruned to shape and won't overwhelm smaller yards.

Can privacy hedges grow in shade?

Yes! Yew, Cherry Laurel, and American Holly are shade-tolerant privacy plants, performing well where sunlight is limited.

How long do fast privacy hedges take to fill in?

With proper soil, water, and fertilization, most fast-growing hedges reach a good screening height of 6-8 feet within 2-3 years.

How can I keep my hedge thick and healthy?

Regular pruning and feeding are essential. Trim multiple times per year (especially in spring and early summer) to encourage bushy growth. Avoid cutting into old wood on some species.

Design Inspiration: Creative Uses for Fast Growing Privacy Hedges

• Living Fence: Replace traditional fences with lush, green hedges for a softer look.
• Backyard Retreat: Enclose a seating or pool area to create a private escape.
• Windbreak: Use taller varieties like Leyland Cypress to shield your home from strong winds.
• Wildlife Habitat: Choose berry-producing hedges (like Holly or Cotoneaster) to attract birds and pollinators.
• Garden Structure: Shape formal hedges for parterre gardens or as natural dividers within your landscape.

Conclusion: Achieving Fast Privacy With Hedges is Simple

Fast-growing privacy hedges are the secret to creating a secluded, attractive outdoor space in a fraction of the time of traditional landscaping methods. Whether you choose Green Giant Arborvitae for size, Cherry Laurel for elegance, or Bamboo for speed and style, you'll enjoy improved privacy and visual appeal within just a few growing seasons.

Ready to achieve privacy fast in your yard? Check your soil, choose the right hedge for your climate, and take advantage of these vigorous options -- your peaceful, hidden paradise awaits.

Start planting today and see the benefits of your very own fast-growing living fence!