Accelerate Privacy with 9 Hedges That Thrive Quickly

Posted on 02/09/2025

Accelerate Privacy with 9 Hedges That Thrive Quickly

Do you want to shield your yard from prying eyes, minimize street noise, or create a tranquil outdoor room? A living hedge is a beautiful, environmentally friendly way to gain privacy. But not all hedges grow alike--if you're eager to transform your landscape fast, it's vital to choose the right privacy plants. In this comprehensive guide, discover nine hedging plants that grow quickly, look stunning, and offer robust screening so you can swiftly accelerate privacy in your garden.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Privacy in your yard brings peace, relaxation, and a sense of security. While fences and walls can serve the same function, living privacy screens have added benefits:

• Natural beauty: Lush greenery or colorful foliage enhances curb appeal.
• Wildlife habitat: Living hedges attract birds and pollinators.
• Noise reduction: Dense plants absorb sound better than fences.
• Air purification: Hedging plants improve air quality.
• Seasonal interest: Many fast-growing hedges offer flowers, berries, or vibrant autumn colors.

Traditional hedges like boxwood and yew can take years to form a solid barrier. If you want to accelerate privacy without waiting forever, choosing the right rapid-growing hedge is essential.

Top Considerations When Selecting Quick Hedging Plants

Before highlighting the best fast-growing living screens, understand these vital criteria:

• Growth rate: Look for plants that add 2 feet or more of growth per year.
• Mature height: How tall (and wide) do you need your privacy hedge?
• Maintenance: Some hedges require frequent pruning.
• Climate compatibility: Consider your USDA hardiness zone and local conditions.
• Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round privacy; deciduous hedges can be denser in summer and showy in fall.
• Allergies and toxicity: Some species may not be pet- or child-friendly.

Now, let's delve into the top nine hedges that are proven to thrive quickly and accelerate backyard privacy.

9 Fast-Growing Hedges to Accelerate Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leyland cypress is famous for its lightning-fast growth and dense, feathery foliage. This classic privacy tree can reach towering heights of 60 feet or more--perfect if you need instant screening from neighbors or roadways.

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes (year-round privacy)
• USDA Zones: 6-10
• Pros: Dense, upright habit; low maintenance once established
• Cons: Susceptible to certain diseases in humid climates; requires space

Tip: Plant Leyland cypress 6-10 feet apart for a continuous privacy hedge.

2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

If you crave a crisp, formal living wall to accelerate your garden privacy, privet is unbeatable. Fast-growing and highly adaptable, this shrub can be pruned tightly or left to develop a softer, flowering look.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Evergreen/Deciduous: Deciduous or semi-evergreen (varies by species and climate)
• USDA Zones: 5-9
• Pros: Tolerates heavy pruning, pollution, and varying soils
• Cons: Berries are toxic to pets and children; invasive in some regions

Did you know? Privet hedges have been used for centuries in classic English gardens to create "living fences."

3. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Renowned for its glossy, rich green leaves and robust vigor, the cherry laurel is a favorite for urban gardens that demand both privacy and sophistication. This hedge tolerates shade and pollution, growing rapidly with little fuss.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes
• USDA Zones: 6-9
• Pros: Attractive broadleaf foliage, fragrant spring flowers
• Cons: Prone to scale in humid climates; toxic if ingested

Landscaping hint: For best results, water cherry laurel deeply in summer and mulch to conserve moisture.

4. Clumping Bamboo (Bambusa and Fargesia species)

Bamboo is synonymous with rapid growth. By choosing clumping (non-invasive) varieties such as Bambusa multiplex or Fargesia robusta, you can have a lush, tropical privacy hedge that matures astonishingly fast without worrying about unwanted spread.

• Growth rate: Up to 4 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes (in mild climates)
• USDA Zones: 6-10 (depending on species)
• Pros: Unique texture; excellent sound barrier
• Cons: Needs regular watering; not ideal for drought-prone sites

Bonus tip: For a dense, towering privacy wall, plant bamboo 3-5 feet apart and provide plenty of organic mulch.

5. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

This standout shrub is a showstopper thanks to its brilliant scarlet new leaves. The red tip photinia forms a thick screen at impressive speed, with white spring blossoms adding seasonal flair.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes
• USDA Zones: 7-9
• Pros: Vibrant color; resists drought once established
• Cons: Susceptible to leaf spot in humid conditions

Maintenance: Prune annually after flowering to encourage fresh, red growth and maintain shape.

6. Arborvitae (Thuja 'Green Giant')

Well-regarded as one of the best hedges to accelerate privacy, the Thuja 'Green Giant' arborvitae is famed for its uniform, pyramidal habit and virtually year-round screening ability.

• Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes
• USDA Zones: 5-8
• Pros: Deer-resistant; minimal pruning required
• Cons: Requires well-drained soil to avoid root rot

Landscape trick: Plant Thuja 'Green Giant' in a staggered double row for denser privacy and wind-breaking power.

7. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)

For southern gardens, the attractive wax myrtle brings speedy privacy with a delicious fragrance and tolerance to salty coastal conditions. Its leaves are semi-evergreen, so it provides some cover even in winter.

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Evergreen: Semi-evergreen
• USDA Zones: 7-11
• Pros: Aromatic foliage; excellent for wildlife gardens
• Cons: Can sucker aggressively if not managed

Wildlife tip: Wax myrtle's berries attract birds and its dense branches make great nesting cover.

8. European Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

If you prefer a formal look but want to accelerate screening, European hornbeam is an elegant, fast-growing deciduous choice. Its serrated leaves create a beautiful, crisp effect in rows and also provide vibrant autumn color.

• Growth rate: 1.5-2.5 feet per year
• Deciduous: Leaves often remain in winter if tightly pruned ("pleached" look)
• USDA Zones: 4-8
• Pros: Wind and pollution tolerant; formal or natural styles
• Cons: Loses most leaves in cold climates; classic "marcescence" (holding leaves) is variable

Design idea: Use hornbeam for a stylish green wall that stands out in any season.

9. Pittosporum (Pittosporum tenuifolium)

For a versatile, quick hedge in warm zones, Pittosporum is a top pick. With attractive, wavy-edged oval leaves and fragrant spring blooms, it thrives in sun or partial shade and is also easy to trim into neat shapes.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Evergreen: Yes
• USDA Zones: 8-11
• Pros: Salt and drought tolerant; lovely fragrance
• Cons: Less cold-hardy; needs regular pruning to stay tidy

Garden tip: Plant pittosporum 2-4 feet apart for a thick, uniform hedge within just a few years.

How to Establish Fast-Growing Hedges for Maximum Privacy

Choosing a speedy hedge is a great start, but to accelerate privacy in your landscape, proper planting and care are crucial. Here are the keys for success:

• Soil preparation: Enrich soil with compost and organic matter to promote healthy roots.
• Spacing: Follow recommended spacing for each species to avoid crowding and competition.
• Watering: Water deeply and regularly while plants are establishing; mulch to conserve moisture.
• Fertilization: Feed with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring for rapid initial growth.
• Pruning: Trim lightly in the first year to encourage bushiness, then prune annually for density and shape.
• Pest monitoring: Watch for early signs of disease or insect problems and treat promptly.

With these steps, your quick-growing hedge will thrive, giving you dense, beautiful privacy faster.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Establishing Privacy Hedges

Which fast-growing hedge is best for year-round privacy?

Evergreen hedges such as leyland cypress, arborvitae, or cherry laurel maintain their foliage in winter, ensuring consistent screening no matter the season.

How long does it take a fast-growing hedge to become a true privacy screen?

Most fast-growing hedging plants will give substantial privacy within 3-5 years if well cared for, with some (like bamboo or leyland cypress) reaching impressive heights even sooner.

Can I mix hedge plants to accelerate privacy?

Absolutely! Mixing different species can improve resilience, aesthetics, and year-round interest. Just pair plants with similar water and sunlight needs for best results.

How can I maintain my hedge so it stays dense from top to bottom?

Prune regularly and avoid "top-heavy" growth. Always trim hedges slightly wider at the bottom to let light reach lower branches, preventing thinning and die-back near the ground level.

Conclusion: Fast-Track Your Private Oasis

Don't let a barren yard, noisy street, or inquisitive neighbors rob you of tranquility. By choosing from these 9 fast-growing privacy hedges, you can accelerate privacy and enrich your landscape's beauty simultaneously. Whether you crave a towering green wall, a brightly colored living fence, or a wildlife-friendly barrier, there is a quick-thriving hedge to suit your needs.

• Leyland cypress and arborvitae offer year-round solid screens for traditional landscapes.
• Privet, cherry laurel, and photinia shine for formal, clipped looks.
• For low-maintenance and eco-friendly solutions, consider clumping bamboo or wax myrtle.
• Pittosporum and hornbeam add diversity with unique foliage and four-season interest.

With smart selection and care, your new hedge will thrive quickly and deliver the instant privacy you want for years to come.

Start Planting for Privacy Today!

Ready to create a secluded retreat of your own? Choose one (or more) of these fast-growing privacy hedge plants and enjoy a lush, private, and beautiful landscape faster than you dreamed possible. Happy gardening!