9 Hedges Growing with Speed for Perfect Privacy

Posted on 22/06/2025

9 Hedges Growing with Speed for Perfect Privacy

Having fast-growing privacy hedges in your garden or yard can transform your outdoor living space into a secluded retreat in just a few years--or even less! Whether you want to block nosy neighbors, reduce noise, or create a lush green backdrop, choosing the right hedging plants is essential. In this comprehensive article, we'll present 9 hedges that grow with speed and are ideal for those who desire rapid results and perfect privacy.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Speedy hedging plants are a top pick for homeowners looking for an immediate solution to privacy concerns. Not only do these plants establish quickly, but many also offer additional benefits such as reducing wind, noise, and dust, as well as providing habitat for wildlife. Careful selection and correct planting will reward you with a dense, attractive, and long-lasting live screen for years to come.

• Immediate privacy: Fast-growing hedges fill in gaps quickly, shielding your property in record time.
• Enhanced aesthetics: They add beauty and structure to your landscape design.
• Sound and wind protection: Thick hedges act as natural sound and weather barriers.
• Wildlife habitat: Many hedge plants are excellent for birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
• Boost in property value: A well-planted hedge increases curb appeal and can add value to your home.

Top 9 Fastest Growing Hedges for Privacy

Let's explore our curated list of rapid-growing privacy hedge alternatives. We highlight botanical information, growth rates, ideal soil and sun requirements, as well as notable pros and cons for each variety.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Among the go-to fast-growing evergreen hedges, the Leyland cypress is famed for its exceptional growth rate--up to 3 feet per year! Its feathery, deep-green foliage forms a dense barrier with regular trimming. It's ideal for creating tall screens and windbreaks in just a few seasons.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: Up to 60 feet, easily kept shorter with pruning
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained; tolerant of many soil types

Pros: Disease resistant, evergreen, fast canopy formation.
Cons: Can become too large or sparse if not trimmed, susceptible to canker in wet climates.

2. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The cherry laurel is a lush, broad-leaf hedge valued for its rich green, glossy leaves and white spring flowers. It quickly forms a thick privacy wall and is well-suited for both sun and shade, making it highly versatile for different landscapes.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height: 10-20 feet (can be pruned lower)
• Sun exposure: Sun or shade
• Soil: Moist, well-drained is best but tolerates a variety

Pros: Dense and bushy, tolerates pollution, good in shade.
Cons: All parts toxic if ingested by pets or people, can outgrow small spaces.

3. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Known for its striking red-tipped new foliage, the photinia makes for a fast, eye-catching privacy screen. Once established, it forms a thick, evergreen hedge that grows rapidly in warm conditions.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Height: 10-15 feet (can be maintained at 5-8 feet)
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Tolerant of most well-drained soils

Pros: Vibrant foliage, excellent for shaping, attracts birds.
Cons: Susceptible to leaf spot fungus in humid climates.

4. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

For those seeking a classic, tidy hedge, common boxwood is a premium choice. While not the speediest on this list, certain cultivars like 'Green Mountain' and 'Winter Gem' provide noticeably quicker growth and develop into perfect privacy screens with regular pruning.

• Growth rate: Up to 1 foot per year (faster cultivars)
• Height: 2-12 feet depending on variety
• Sun exposure: Sun to shade, best in partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile

Pros: Formal appearance, adaptable to shaping, evergreen foliage.
Cons: Slower than other options, vulnerable to boxwood blight.

5. Privet (Ligustrum species)

If you need a hedge in a hurry, privet is legendary for its rapid growth and ease of care. Its dense foliage is perfect for formal and informal hedges alike. It tolerates heavy pruning, which helps keep your lawn or garden tidy.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: Usually 6-15 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Any well-drained soil

Pros: Very adaptable, tough, quick to establish.
Cons: Some varieties are invasive in certain regions, flowers can be allergenic.

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

A favorite in urban and suburban gardens, the emerald green arborvitae grows at a moderate rate but is very popular for privacy screens thanks to its compact, columnar habit, year-round color, and resistance to urban pollution.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height: 12-15 feet
• Sun exposure: Full sun, tolerates partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile

Pros: Narrow footprint, uniform growth, dense foliage.
Cons: Needs consistent moisture, less tolerant of hot, dry conditions.

7. Clumping Bamboo (Bambusa species)

For a unique and exotic privacy hedge, clumping bamboo offers rapid, vertical growth and unbeatable visual impact. Unlike running bamboos, clumping species are easy to control and less invasive.

• Growth rate: 2-4 feet per year (some tropical species grow even faster!)
• Height: 8-30+ feet depending on species
• Sun exposure: Sun to partial shade
• Soil: Fertile and well-drained, keeps moist

Pros: Fastest-growing hedge option, elegant appearance, wind and noise resistant.
Cons: Needs space to spread, requires maintenance to prevent crowding.

8. Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium)

The pittosporum is beloved for its fine-textured, glossy leaves (sometimes variegated) and rapid, upright habit. This shrub works as a stylish privacy hedge in mild climates and can achieve height quickly.

• Growth rate: About 1-2 feet per year
• Height: 10-15 feet
• Sun exposure: Sun or light shade
• Soil: Tolerant of most, but prefers well-drained

Pros: Tolerates coastal conditions, easy to prune, aromatic foliage.
Cons: Less cold-hardy, needs regular watering in hot climates.

9. Oleander (Nerium oleander)

Oleander brings bold color and lush greenery to gardens, especially in warmer regions. It's a vigorous, evergreen shrub with a famously fast growth rate and the advantage of stunning summer blooms ranging from white to pink and red.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Height: 6-20 feet depending on pruning
• Sun exposure: Full sun preferred
• Soil: Well-drained; drought-tolerant once established

Pros: Hardy and drought-resistant, vibrant flowers, evergreen.
Cons: All parts are toxic if ingested; not for pet- or child-centered gardens.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedge for Privacy

Selecting the optimal fast-growing hedging plant for your landscape depends on several factors. Consider these aspects to ensure lush and lasting privacy:

• Climate: Choose plants adapted to your local climate zone for best growth rates.
• Size: Think about both the mature height and width--select a variety that fits your available space.
• Evergreen or deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round privacy, while deciduous hedges may lose leaves in winter.
• Maintenance: Some hedges require regular pruning to keep them neat and encourage dense growth.
• Safety: Avoid toxic species if children or pets play nearby.

Pro tip: For the quickest privacy, plant young hedges closer together (based on mature width) and mulch well for moisture retention and weed control.

Planting and Caring for Your Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

• Soil preparation: Enrich the soil with compost and ensure good drainage before planting.
• Watering: Newly planted hedges need consistent watering until established (at least 1-2 years).
• Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season.
• Mulching: Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages bushy growth and keeps the hedge at the desired height and width.

With just a little planning and ongoing care, your quick-growing hedge will thrive, offering enviable privacy and greenery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How close together should I plant my hedge?

Spacing depends on the species and its mature width, but a good rule of thumb is to plant about half the recommended mature width apart. For instance, if a hedge grows 5 feet wide, plant 2.5 feet between each plant.

When is the best time to plant a privacy hedge?

Early spring or fall is ideal, giving the plants cool, moist conditions to establish roots before the summer heat or winter cold.

How long does it take for a fast-growing hedge to provide privacy?

Many fast-growing hedges reach a privacy-screening height (6-8 feet) in just 2-3 years when properly cared for.

Do fast-growing hedges need a lot of pruning?

Most rapid-growing hedges respond well to pruning, which keeps them thick and manageable. With regular trims (once or twice a year), you'll maintain the density and height you desire.

Conclusion: Achieve Perfect Privacy with Rapid-Growing Hedges

A beautiful, fast-growing privacy hedge can upgrade any garden or landscape, giving you a secluded, green oasis in just a few years. From the stately Leyland cypress to the unique clumping bamboo, there's a stunning hedge for every garden style and size. With thoughtful selection, proper planting, and basic care, privacy hedges that grow with speed make outdoor living more enjoyable--and give you the private paradise you deserve!

Ready to plant your perfect privacy hedge today? Consider your site, climate, and preferences, pick the right fast-growing variety, and enjoy lush seclusion for years to come!