Experience a lush privacy screen with these 9 quick-growing hedges

Posted on 17/05/2025

Experience a Lush Privacy Screen with These 9 Quick-Growing Hedges

If you're seeking a natural and effective way to create a private outdoor oasis, dense hedges for privacy are the perfect solution. Not only do hedges enhance your landscape with their vibrant colors and textures, but they also serve as living fences--providing both seclusion and style. In this comprehensive article, discover nine of the fastest-growing hedging plants that will quickly transform your yard into a green sanctuary and keep prying eyes at bay.

Read on to learn about the top hedges for privacy screens, their key benefits, planting tips, and how to maintain a flourishing, lush privacy hedge.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

The desire for immediate privacy leads many homeowners to seek quick-growing privacy hedges. Instead of waiting years for trees or shrubs to fill in, choosing rapid-growing species means you can enjoy your secluded space in a fraction of the time.

• Instant impact: Fast growers provide coverage within 1-3 years.
• Year-round screening: Many varieties stay green and thick year-round.
• Noise reduction: Dense hedges act as a buffer against nearby streets or noisy neighbors.
• Wildlife habitat: Lush hedges attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
• Natural beauty: Elevate your landscape design with varied forms, colors, and flowers.

The 9 Best Quick-Growing Hedges for a Lush Privacy Screen

Whether you want an evergreen barrier, a flowering display, or a low-maintenance option, the following fast-growing hedge plants offer something for every garden. Let's explore the top choices for lush privacy screens:

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Green Giant Arborvitae is a popular evergreen prized for its exceptional growth rate--up to 3 feet per year! Its dense, conical shape makes it a top choice for privacy hedges and windbreaks. Resistant to pests and deer, "Green Giant" requires minimal care once established.

• Growth Rate: 3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-50 feet
• Best For: Large properties needing tall, thick screening

2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is a staple for those seeking almost instant privacy. Its rapid growth and feathery green foliage create a towering screen in just a few seasons. These trees thrive in most soils and climates, offering a uniform look.

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
• Mature Height: 40-70 feet
• Best For: Quick coverage for large spaces

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges are famed for their resilience and super-fast growth. Varieties like Ligustrum vulgare and L. ovalifolium can handle severe pruning and bounce back with lush foliage, making them ideal for shaping as formal hedges.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-15 feet
• Best For: Classic, neatly-trimmed screens

4. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

The Skip Laurel presents glossy evergreen leaves and a compact form, thriving even in partial shade. Its tolerance to pollution and adaptability make it an excellent urban hedge, with dense privacy after just a few years.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-10 feet
• Best For: Shady spots and urban gardens

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cherry Laurel offers a wall of broad, shiny leaves year-round. It's remarkably fast-growing and keeps privacy intact with minimal maintenance. Tiny white flowers in spring are a bonus for pollinators, and it tolerates both sun and shade.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Best For: Year-round coverage

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

Photinia provides not only privacy but also high-impact color. New growth emerges vivid red before maturing to glossy green, making it a standout hedge for privacy and curb appeal. Photinia is a fast and forgiving grower, thriving in most conditions.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• Best For: Bold, colorful backdrops

7. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

The classic boxwood hedge is well-loved for formality and year-round structure. While some types grow slowly, select cultivars like "Green Mountain" and "Winter Gem" offer faster growth and dense, lush coverage--perfect for shaping or letting grow free.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year (for fast-growing varieties)
• Mature Height: 3-6 feet
• Best For: Smaller spaces and formal hedges

8. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Bambusa spp.)

Bamboo hedges deliver incredible speed--some species soar up to 5 feet yearly. For the best privacy hedge, choose clumping (not running) types to prevent unwanted spread. Bamboo's modern look, rustling sound, and evergreen habit are unmatched for contemporary yards.

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-30 feet (depending on species)
• Best For: Fast screens and modern designs

9. Pyracantha (Pyracantha coccinea)

Also called Firethorn, this thorny shrub earns its name from its fiery orange or red berries and formidable armor, which doubles as a security hedge. Fast-growing and tough, Pyracantha is both a striking and effective privacy barrier.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-10 feet
• Best For: Security and decorative value

How to Establish a Lush, Quick-Growing Privacy Hedge

To create a vibrant privacy barrier with these rapid growers, pay attention to the following expert tips:

1. Choose the Right Location

• Ensure your hedge species matches the conditions (sun/shade, soil, space).
• Check mature height and width to avoid overcrowding or constant pruning.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Enrich soil with compost and organic matter to help roots establish.
• Test pH and improve drainage for healthier, faster growth.

3. Space Plants Properly

• Stagger or plant in double rows for fuller coverage.
• Space according to mature spread--typically 2-5 feet apart.

4. Water and Mulch

• Water thoroughly after planting, and keep soil moist for the first year.
• Apply a 2-3 inch mulch layer to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

5. Prune to Encourage Density

• Lightly trim hedge tops and sides as they grow to encourage bushy growth.
• Remove weak or crossing branches for strength and airflow.

6. Feed for Quick Growth

• Use slow-release fertilizer in spring for vigorous, lush hedges.
• Follow species-specific recommendations for best results.

Maintenance Tips for Thriving, Lush Privacy Hedges

To keep your quick-growing privacy hedges healthy and attractive, ongoing care is essential:

• Regular pruning: At least once a year, trim your hedge to maintain shape and thickness. Most hedging plants respond well to regular cutting, especially after flowering.
• Monitor for pests/diseases: Check leaves and stems regularly; treat problems early to protect your dense green screen.
• Feed as needed: Annual feeding in spring helps promote new, vigorous growth.
• Water wisely: Once established, most hedges need only occasional deep watering during dry spells.
• Mulch renewal: Top up mulch annually to conserve moisture and add nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

• Which hedge grows fastest for privacy?
  Green Giant Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress are among the fastest, able to add 3-4 feet per year in ideal conditions.
• What hedge provides year-round privacy?
  Evergreen hedges like Skip Laurel, Cherry Laurel, and Boxwood retain foliage in all seasons for consistent screening.
• Can I mix different hedge varieties?
  Yes! Mixing species adds visual interest and biodiversity, but ensure they have similar growth rates and care requirements.
• How soon will my hedge reach full height?
  With fast-growing hedges, you'll generally have thick cover in 2-5 years depending on initial plant size and care.

Creative Ways to Use Quick-Growing Hedges

• Natural fencing: Replace traditional fences with double rows for maximum seclusion.
• Wind and noise buffer: Plant hedges as a sound and wind barrier along busy roads.
• Outdoor "rooms": Use tall hedges to frame entertaining spaces or private patios.
• Wildlife sanctuary: Choose berry- or flower-producing varieties for nesting and food sources.
• Mix heights and textures: Layer different quick-growing hedges for a lush, multi-dimensional screen.

Enjoy Privacy and Beauty with the Right Hedge Choice

A vibrant, quick-growing living fence transforms your landscape into a private retreat while adding year-round color and ecological benefits. Whether you choose soaring arborvitae, versatile laurel, or colorful photinia, these top nine hedges deliver vigorous growth, lush density, and timeless beauty.

Proper planting and care ensure your hedge thrives--rewarding you with a thick, green privacy screen in just a few seasons. For the fastest success, select suitable hedging plants for your climate and soil, and watch your garden become a tranquil hideaway.

Are you ready to experience a lush privacy screen? Plant one of these quick-growing hedges and enjoy outdoor peace and beauty for years to come!