Explore fast solutions with nine of the best privacy hedges

Posted on 13/06/2025

Explore Fast Solutions with Nine of the Best Privacy Hedges

Looking for a quick and attractive solution to shield your yard from prying eyes? Privacy hedges are nature's perfect answer. These lush, green walls can create a serene, private sanctuary in your outdoor space--without the utilitarian look of a fence. In this comprehensive article, we'll explore the fastest-growing privacy hedges perfect for transforming your garden into a secluded oasis, with insights on selection, care, and landscape value.

Why Choose Privacy Hedges for Your Yard?

Choosing the right privacy hedge means more than just blocking unwanted views. Hedges deliver:

Natural beauty and year-round greenery
Noise reduction for a quieter home environment
Wind protection to support delicate plants and relax outdoor living areas
Added property value and curb appeal
Shelter for wildlife, offering habitat for birds, butterflies, and pollinators

Let's explore nine of the best privacy hedges that grow quickly and provide reliable screening.

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1. Leyland Cypress - The Fastest Evergreen Screen

The Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) is celebrated for its rapid growth and impressive height. This fast-growing privacy hedge can shoot up 3 to 5 feet a year under optimal conditions!

Growth Rate: Extremely rapid; expect full screening within a couple of years
Care: Full sun, well-drained soil, regular watering during establishment
Maintenance: Annual trimming to keep shape and height in check
Best For: Large yards seeking quick, dense privacy

Bonus Tip:

Plant Leyland Cypress about 6-8 feet apart to create a seamless green wall in record time.

2. Arborvitae 'Green Giant' - Dense, Durable, and Disease-Resistant

Arborvitae 'Green Giant' (Thuja standishii x plicata) is a top privacy hedge pick for its vigorous growth and rich green color year-round.

Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year--one of the quickest evergreens available
Care: Tolerates a range of soils and climates, drought-resistant once established
Maintenance: Prunes easily and maintains a tidy pyramid shape
Best For: Homeowners seeking a low-maintenance privacy solution with minimal pest issues

3. Privet (Ligustrum) - Fast, Flexible, and Flowering

Want a hedge that's as vigorous as it is versatile? Privet hedges (especially Ligustrum ovalifolium) are famous for their speedy growth and dense foliage.

Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
Care: Adapts to sun or shade, tolerates urban environments
Maintenance: Requires regular trimming; can be shaped formally or informally
Best For: Formal gardens, urban privacy screens, and fragrant flowers attracting pollinators

Fun Fact:

When allowed to flower, privet produces delicate white blooms and attractive berries for birds.

4. Bamboo - Contemporary, Fast, and Luxuriously Green

If you're after an ultra-modern, tropical privacy screen, bamboo hedges are unbeatable for speed and drama. Clumping bamboos like Fargesia are non-invasive and perfect for neat hedges.

Growth Rate: Some species grow up to 5 feet in a single year!
Care: Prefers partial shade to sun and moist, well-drained soil
Maintenance: Occasional thinning and cutting to desired height
Best For: Contemporary gardens, narrow spaces, patios where immediate height is needed

Tip: Always choose clumping bamboo varieties to avoid aggressive spreading.

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) - Large, Lush, and Lustrous

Cherry laurel offers a luxurious privacy wall with its glossy, broad evergreen leaves. Ideal for creating an instant impact.

Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year, with fast mature coverage
Care: Thrives in both sun and partial shade; hardy and adaptable
Maintenance: Tolerates heavy pruning, perfect for dense, tidy hedges
Best For: Residential boundaries, shaded gardens, and wildlife friendly landscaping

Did You Know?

Cherry laurel is prized for its ability to create evergreen privacy quickly in even difficult conditions.

6. Photinia 'Red Robin' - Strikingly Colorful and Fast-Growing

For those wanting a privacy hedge with a pop of color, Photinia 'Red Robin' offers dramatic red new growth that matures to deep green.

Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet annually
Care: Enjoys full sun and well-drained soil; drought-tolerant
Maintenance: Light trimming maintains shape and encourages colorful foliage
Best For: Decorative property edges, informal mixed borders, and pollinator gardens

Tip: Plant in rows 2-3 feet apart for a dazzling, quick privacy screen with year-round interest.

7. Escallonia - Evergreen, Flowering, and Salt-Tolerant

Escallonia is the ultimate choice for coastal gardens seeking a fast-growing, flowering privacy hedge.

Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
Care: Flourishes in full sun, tolerates salt spray and wind
Maintenance: Shear after flowering for compactness and repeat blooms
Best For: Seaside properties, cottage gardens, wildlife habitats

Bonus: Hummingbirds and bees flock to the pink or red blossoms!

8. Laurel (English or Portuguese) - Classic Evergreen Hedging

Both the English laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica) make stellar privacy hedges for their enduring good looks and fast coverage.

Growth Rate: 1-2 feet annually
Care: Adapts to hard pruning, tolerant of pollution and various soils
Maintenance: Annual pruning keeps them dense and manageable
Best For: Boundary hedges, driveways, and gardens in urban and rural areas alike

Tip: Choose Portuguese laurel for a more formal, elegant appearance.

9. Holly (Ilex) - Thorny, Thick, and Wildlife-Friendly

If you want a privacy hedge that doubles as a security barrier, holly's dense, spiny foliage is a traditional favorite. Both English holly and American holly provide year-round privacy with bonus winter berries for visual appeal and wildlife.

Growth Rate: Moderate but speedy compared to other evergreen shrubs
Care: Tolerates sun to shade; grows in many soils
Maintenance: Occasional shaping keeps it lush and bushy
Best For: Security hedges, wildlife gardens, or mixed borders

Note: Pair male and female holly plants to ensure berry production.

How to Select the Best Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge for Your Garden

With so many choices, selecting the right privacy plant requires considering your site's specific needs:

Local climate: Some hedges withstand frost or drought better than others
Sun exposure: Decide if your hedge site is full sun, part sun, or shady
Soil conditions: Test drainage and fertility for the best results
Space: Hedge width and height will matter for tight sites or neighborly boundaries
Desired appearance: Formal, informal, flowering, or evergreen?

Installation Tips for a Successful, Quick-Growing Privacy Hedge

Soil Prep: Dig wide trenches, enrich with compost for lush root growth
Spacing: Don't cram plants; leave enough room for maturity but close enough for quick coverage
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially the first year after planting
Mulching: Retains moisture and suppresses weeds for faster growth
Pruning: Gentle trimming in the first few years encourages bushiness

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Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Privacy Hedges

What is the fastest-growing privacy hedge?

Leyland Cypress and 'Green Giant' Arborvitae top the charts for rapid growth, providing solid screening in just a couple of growing seasons!

How can I make my privacy hedge grow faster?

Start with healthy nursery stock, improve soil drainage and nutrients, water consistently, and prune regularly to promote thick growth.

Do I need a permit to plant a privacy hedge?

Rules vary by community. Always check local codes or homeowners association regulations regarding hedge height and property lines.

Conclusion: Your Green Sanctuary Awaits

Creating an attractive, effective privacy hedge is a fast and rewarding way to transform your landscape. Whether you're looking for the fastest-growing privacy screen like Leyland Cypress, colorful options like Photinia, or classic evergreens like Arborvitae and Laurel, these nine choices provide practical, beautiful solutions.

Start planting your privacy hedge this season and enjoy year-round peace, beauty, and seclusion for years to come!

Explore More:

How to prune your privacy hedge for maximum thickness
Eco-friendly fertilization tips for faster hedge growth
The best privacy hedges for small urban gardens

Ready to explore fast-growing hedge solutions and reclaim your privacy? Start with these nine best privacy hedges and let nature work its magic in your own backyard retreat.