Boost Privacy with These Rapid Growth Hedge Varieties

Posted on 06/06/2025

Boost Privacy with These Rapid Growth Hedge Varieties

Are you seeking to create a private oasis in your garden or yard? Whether you want to shield your home from prying eyes, block out street noise, or simply define boundaries with lush greenery, fast growing privacy hedges are an efficient and beautiful solution. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best hedge varieties for rapid growth that can help you achieve privacy in little time. From classic evergreen favorites to lesser-known wonders, these plants are your key to a serene and secluded outdoor space.

Why Opt for Fast Growing Hedge Varieties?

Traditional fences offer instant privacy but often lack the natural beauty, environmental benefits, and sustainability of living hedges. Choosing rapid growth hedges provides:

• Quick privacy--these hedges can reach their mature height in just a few years.
• Aesthetics--plant hedges are attractive throughout the year, with a variety of foliage colors, blooms, and textures.
• Noise reduction and dust filtration for a cleaner, quieter garden.
• Wildlife habitat--nurture birdlife and beneficial insects.
• Increased property value--a well-maintained privacy hedge enhances curb appeal and can boost appraisal values.

Now, let's discover which hedge plant varieties for rapid privacy are best suited for your landscape.

Top Fast Growing Hedges for Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is a famous rapid grower, often chosen for creating a dense and evergreen barrier. It can grow up to 3 feet per year, quickly reaching impressive heights of 60-70 feet if left untrimmed. This makes it ideal for those seeking significant privacy within just a couple of seasons.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 60-70 feet (can be kept shorter with regular pruning)
• Soil Preference: Well-drained soil, tolerant of different types
• Maintenance: Prune regularly to maintain shape and prevent overgrowth

Tip: Space plants 3-4 feet apart for maximum privacy and hedge density.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja 'Green Giant')

Arborvitae 'Green Giant' is celebrated for its vigorous growth and lush, feathery foliage. It makes a superb privacy screen due to its uniform shape and resistance to disease.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 40-60 feet
• Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained; adaptable to many soil types
• Maintenance: Low; occasional pruning to maintain desired height

Great for: Windbreaks and privacy screens due to its cold and drought tolerance.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

For a traditional formal hedge look, Privet is immensely popular worldwide. With frequent trimming, it forms a dense, upright barrier that can grow up to 3 feet per year for rapid privacy enhancement.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• Soil Preference: Wide tolerance, but prefers well-drained soil
• Maintenance: High; needs regular trimming for shape and density

Varieties to try: Common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium).

4. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp. and Bambusa spp.)

Bamboo is renowned for its astonishingly fast growth, with some varieties shooting up as much as 5 feet per year. It creates a lush, tropical privacy screen that's both eye-catching and incredibly functional.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year (varies by species and climate)
• Mature Height: 10-30+ feet
• Soil Preference: Well-drained and moist
• Maintenance: Containment is important; install root barriers to prevent spreading

Tip: For privacy, choose clumping bamboo types rather than running ones to prevent unwanted spread.

5. Holly (Ilex spp.)

Holly bushes are another versatile choice for an evergreen privacy hedge. With their rich, dense foliage and striking red berries, they not only deliver seclusion but also year-round visual interest.

• Sunlight: Full sun to full shade (varies by species)
• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet (can be pruned smaller)
• Soil Preference: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• Maintenance: Annual pruning keeps them in check

Popular cultivars: Nellie R. Stevens Holly and American Holly.

6. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

If you live in a warm climate, Wax Myrtle offers a super-fast growth rate and forms a screening hedge with aromatic foliage. This native shrub is highly adaptable and easy to care for.

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade
• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Soil Preference: Well-drained and tolerant of sandy soils
• Maintenance: Occasional pruning to maintain shape

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

Red Robin Photinia is known for its brilliant red new foliage, which matures to glossy green. With a growth rate of up to 2 feet per year, this shrub forms an attractive and colorful screen.

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• Soil Preference: Well-drained, fertile soil
• Maintenance: Prune after spring flush to keep growth in check

Best Practices for Planting Rapid Growth Hedge Varieties

To ensure your fast-growing hedge establishes quickly and remains healthy, follow these planting and care tips:

1. Choose the Right Plant Variety

Each hedge species has different sunlight, soil, and water needs. Select a hedge plant suitable for your climate and soil conditions, and consider whether you want a formal trimmed look or a natural, informal barrier.

2. Prepare the Planting Site

• Remove all weeds and grass in a 3-foot wide strip where the hedge will grow.
• Loosen soil to a depth of 12-18 inches to help roots establish.
• Amend with compost to boost fertility and drainage.

3. Spacing Matters

Proper spacing ensures rapid closure of your hedge while allowing plants enough room to thrive. Refer to the plant's specific recommendations, but generally space plants 2-4 feet apart for a dense screen.

4. Watering & Mulching

• Water regularly during the first year, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist.
• Apply a 2-3 inch mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

5. Pruning for Health and Density

Prune frequently during the hedge's early years to encourage bushy, dense growth. For formal hedges, use annual or biannual pruning to maintain clean lines.

6. Fertilizing

• Feed your hedge twice yearly with a balanced slow-release fertilizer to maintain strong growth and foliage color.

Common Challenges with Rapid Growing Privacy Hedges

While fast-growing hedge plants offer many advantages, there are some considerations:

• Vigorous Growth Requires Maintenance: Rapidly growing shrubs often need regular trimming to prevent them from overtaking desired space.
• Pest and Disease Susceptibility: Dense plantings can be more vulnerable to fungal issues and pests if not properly spaced or ventilated.
• Root Competition: Some species, like bamboo, can become invasive if not contained.
• Drought Sensitivity: Many hedges need consistent watering, especially when newly planted.

Top Tips for Long-Lasting Privacy Screens

• Mix hedge varieties to achieve multi-season interest and minimize pest problems.
• Encourage thick, lush growth by pruning the top lightly in early years and clipping sides to promote side branching.
• Stay alert to signs of disease or nutrient deficiencies, such as leaf yellowing, and treat early.
• Install irrigation systems for low-maintenance watering, especially in dry climates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Growing Privacy Hedges

How quickly will a rapid growth hedge provide privacy?

Most fast-growing hedge varieties reach 6-8 feet tall within 2-4 years, making them much quicker than slow-maturing shrubs or trees. Bamboo and Green Giant Arborvitae can offer coverage even faster, depending on growing conditions.

Which is the fastest growing privacy hedge?

Among popular options, Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are especially quick--capable of growing 3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions.

What is the best hedge plant for small gardens?

For small spaces, choose compact privet, holly, or Photinia. These plants can be easily maintained at lower heights and trimmed to fit tighter areas.

Are rapid-growing hedges suitable for all climates?

While many privacy hedges are adaptable, always select species well-suited to your USDA Hardiness Zone. Wax Myrtle and bamboo thrive in warmer regions, while arborvitae and holly are more cold-tolerant.

Can privacy hedges be mixed for added interest?

Absolutely! Mixing different types of quick-growing shrubs adds layers of texture, color, and seasonal variety, making your hedge more resilient and visually appealing.

Conclusion: Transform Your Yard with Rapid Growth Hedge Varieties

Boosting privacy with the right fast-growing hedge variety is easier than ever. Not only do these shrubs and trees offer quick results, but they also enhance the beauty, value, and environmental health of your property. From classic evergreens to colorful foliage and dramatic bamboo, there's a privacy hedge suited for every landscape need.

Ready to create your private sanctuary? Start by selecting the right hedge plant for your location and style, prepare your soil, and nurture your green barrier with consistent care. In just a few seasons, you'll enjoy a lush, living fence that provides peace, seclusion, and natural beauty for years to come.

For more advice on selecting, planting, and maintaining the best fast-growing privacy hedges, subscribe to our garden tips newsletter or explore our expert plant guides for every climate zone.