If you’re looking to create a dense, green privacy hedge quickly, fast-growing shrubs are the way to go. Whether you need year-round coverage or a seasonal screen, these 15 shrubs will help you block out neighbors, noise, and unsightly views in no time.
1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Mature Height: 40-60 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Water regularly until established. Prune once a year to maintain shape and height. Thrives in well-drained soil.
2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)
- Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
- Mature Height: 30-50 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Drought-tolerant once established. Requires minimal pruning. Ideal for windbreaks and privacy screens.
3. Japanese Privet (Ligustrum japonicum)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 10-15 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Tolerates a variety of soils but prefers moist, well-drained conditions. Prune regularly to shape.
4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 10-20 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Thrives in rich, well-draining soil. Drought-tolerant once established. Prune in early spring for best results.
5. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 10-15 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Drought-resistant and tolerates poor soil. Requires occasional pruning to shape.
6. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Mature Height: 20-40 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Plant Care: Extremely hardy and drought-resistant. Grows best in well-drained, sandy soils.
7. Holly (Ilex spp.)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Mature Height: 15-25 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Prefers acidic, well-drained soil. Prune in winter to shape and remove unwanted growth.
8. Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 8-10 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Plant Care: Blooms in early spring with yellow flowers. Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
9. American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 10-15 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Thrives in well-drained soil. Produces edible nuts. Prune to maintain desired shape.
10. Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Mature Height: 6-10 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Drought-tolerant once established. Prune in early spring to encourage new growth.
11. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Mature Height: 8-12 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Plant Care: Produces stunning flowers in late summer. Requires occasional pruning to maintain shape.
12. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
- Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
- Mature Height: 8-12 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Grows best in moist soil. Produces edible berries. Prune in winter for shape control.
13. Lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Mature Height: 8-15 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun
- Plant Care: Requires well-drained soil. Prune immediately after flowering to encourage new growth.
14. Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia spp.)
- Growth Rate: 2-5 feet per year
- Mature Height: 10-20 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Non-invasive and forms a dense hedge. Needs regular watering but is drought-tolerant once established.
15. Running Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)
- Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year
- Mature Height: 20-40 feet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Plant Care: Extremely fast-growing but must be contained to prevent spreading. Grows best in moist, well-drained soil.
Final Tips for a Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge
- Plant Spacing: Space shrubs 2-5 feet apart, depending on variety.
- Soil & Watering: Keep soil moist but not waterlogged until established.
- Fertilization: Use a balanced fertilizer in spring and fall for faster growth.
- Pruning: Trim regularly to encourage bushy, dense growth.
With the right care, these fast-growing privacy shrubs will help you create a lush, green hedge in just a few years!
