Quick-growing hedges: 9 options for enhanced privacy

Posted on 23/08/2025

Quick-Growing Hedges: 9 Options for Enhanced Privacy

Are you looking to create a beautiful, natural barrier around your home in record time? Quick-growing hedges are the perfect solution for homeowners seeking enhanced privacy, wind protection, or simply a lush green aesthetic. In this article, we'll explore the fastest-growing hedge plants and provide all the essential details to help you choose the best option for your garden. Whether your focus is rapid height, easy maintenance, or year-round foliage, these nine hedge varieties can transform your landscape and give you peace of mind faster than you might expect.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Choosing quick-growing hedges offers significant advantages over traditional fencing or slow-maturing plants. Notably, these plants:

• Deliver privacy much faster, blocking unsightly views or curious neighbors swiftly
• Act as natural sound barriers, reducing traffic and urban noise
• Offer shelter from winds, creating a more enjoyable outdoor space
• Encourage wildlife, attracting birds and beneficial insects
• Add structure, texture and rich color to your garden design

Let's take a closer look at the very best fast-growing hedging plants to enhance privacy.

Top 9 Quick-Growing Hedges for Enhanced Privacy

1. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)

The Thuja Green Giant is a hybrid arborvitae recognized for its extremely fast growth and dense, evergreen foliage. This vigorous conifer often grows 3 to 5 feet per year once established, making it one of the most popular choices for instant privacy screens.

• Height: 30-50 feet at maturity
• Spread: 10-12 feet
• Features: Tolerates a variety of soils; drought and disease resistant; minimal pruning required

Best for: Large properties and those seeking a low-maintenance, evergreen barrier.

2. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

When you need a quick-growing hedge for privacy, privet is a long-standing favorite. It offers glossy green leaves and can be easily trimmed into neat, formal shapes or allowed to grow wild for a more natural look.

• Height: 4-15 feet (depending on species)
• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
• Features: Deciduous (some varieties are semi-evergreen); tolerates pollution; excellent for clipping

Best for: Urban gardens and those desiring a traditional, classic appearance.

3. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

The Leyland cypress is considered one of the fastest-growing evergreen hedges available. Its dense, feathery foliage creates an impenetrable screen in just a few years, making it one of the top choices for those needing privacy fast.

• Height: 40-60 feet or more
• Growth Rate: Up to 3-4 feet per year
• Features: Evergreen; tolerates most soils; wind-resistant

Best for: Large spaces and rapid, tall privacy screens.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The cherry laurel is an evergreen shrub loved for its broad, dark-green glossy leaves and springtime white flowers. Cherry laurel hedges are noted for their quick establishment, thriving in both sun and shade.

• Height: 8-18 feet
• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Features: Dense foliage; white scented flowers; good for urban areas

Best for: Year-round privacy, screening shaded or partially shaded locations.

5. Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'

Famed for its striking red-tinted new growth in spring, the Photinia 'Red Robin' is a versatile fast-growing evergreen suitable for hedges up to 10-12 feet. Besides exceptional color, it brings year-round coverage and moderate frost resistance.

• Height: 8-12 feet
• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Features: Evergreen; striking red and green foliage; can be shaped

Best for: Colorful, decorative privacy hedges with seasonal interest.

6. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

While slightly slower-growing than some giants on this list, boxwood hedges can still develop quickly under the right conditions, providing a dense, compact, formal appearance ideal for lower privacy barriers.

• Height: 3-6 feet (commonly used for shorter hedges)
• Growth Rate: Up to 1 foot per year
• Features: Evergreen; adaptable to shaping; deer-resistant

Best for: Formal garden borders and smaller-scale privacy screens.

7. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Fargesia species)

Bamboo isn't technically a traditional hedge, but its ultra-fast growth, stunning texture and year-round greenery make it a sought-after choice for modern garden privacy.

• Height: 10-30 feet (depending on type)
• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year for some species
• Features: Evergreen; creates an instant screen; must be managed to prevent spreading

Best for: Contemporary landscapes and unique privacy barriers. Note: Opt for clumping bamboo to avoid uncontrolled spread.

8. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

Hornbeam forms beautifully dense, green hedges and, while technically deciduous, it retains its brown leaves through winter, providing near-year-round privacy. Its growth rate makes it a strong contender among fast-growing privacy hedges.

• Height: 15-30 feet if left untrimmed
• Growth Rate: Up to 1.5 feet per year
• Features: Tolerates heavy pruning; wildlife-friendly; good for clay soils

Best for: Areas prone to wind; ecological gardens wanting structure and shelter.

9. Pyracantha (Firethorn)

Pyracantha, or firethorn, is an evergreen shrub prized not only for its sharp thorns--ideal for security--but also its vibrant berries and white spring flowers. Its relatively fast growth and ability to form tough, impenetrable hedges make it a valuable privacy addition.

• Height: 8-12 feet
• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Features: Evergreen; fire-resistant; excellent for wildlife

Best for: Security and attracting birds, with the bonus of year-round color.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Hedging Plants

With so many rapidly growing hedge plants for privacy, how do you select the right species for your needs? Consider the following factors:

• Climate and Soil: Some hedges thrive in sandy soils and hot, dry conditions (e.g., oleander or cherry laurel), while others prefer cool, damp climates (hornbeam, beech). Test your soil and research your local hardiness zone.
• Desired Height and Width: Make sure your choice will fit the intended space. Some, like Leyland cypress, can overwhelm small gardens if not regularly pruned.
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: For year-round privacy, choose evergreens like Thuja or holly. Deciduous hedges can offer seasonal interest but may lose leaves in winter.
• Maintenance Level: Certain species, such as privet or boxwood, require regular trimming, while bamboo and Thuja need less attention once established.
• Safety and Visibility: If you have children or pets, avoid spiny or poisonous varieties. Choose thorny species (like Pyracantha) for boundary security.
• Wildlife Attraction: Many hedges support birds and pollinators with shelter and food sources (e.g., Pyracantha, hornbeam).

Understanding your garden's unique conditions and your specific goals will help you pick the best fast-growing privacy hedges for your property.

Planting Quick-Growing Hedges for Maximum Success

Proper planting boosts the speed and success of your new privacy hedge. Follow these key steps:

• Spacing Matters: Plant hedges at appropriate distances to allow proper air circulation yet dense growth. Overcrowding restricts airflow and increases disease risk.
• Soil Preparation: Amend the planting area with compost or organic matter to improve nutrient content and drainage.
• Watering and Mulching: Keep new hedges well-watered for the first two years. Apply mulch to conserve moisture and discourage weeds.
• Fertilization: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer designed for shrubs in early spring to encourage vigorous growth.
• Training and Pruning: Prune annually to maintain shape, encourage bushiness, and avoid legginess. Early shaping leads to denser results.

For best results, plant your quick-growing hedging plants in autumn or early spring to allow roots to establish before the heat of summer or cold of winter.

Common Questions About Quick-Growing Hedge Plants

How quickly do privacy hedges grow?

Growth rates vary: ultra-fast growers like Leyland cypress and some bamboo species may achieve up to 5 feet per year in ideal conditions, while others, such as boxwood, average 1 foot per year. Consistent watering, fertile soil, and regular feeding all help maximize growth.

Will my hedge be evergreen year-round?

Evergreen hedge species (Thuja, cherry laurel, photinia, pyracantha, bamboo) maintain leaves all year for uninterrupted privacy. Deciduous hedges, like hornbeam, may lose leaves but some retain their brown foliage through winter.

How often do I need to trim fast-growing hedges?

Fast-growing hedges often require two trims per year--once in spring (after growth starts) and again in late summer. Regular clipping promotes denser, healthier growth and better privacy.

Which is the best quick-growing hedge for small gardens?

Photinia 'Red Robin', boxwood, or cherry laurel are excellent for smaller spaces. For very small landscapes, boxwood is especially versatile and responsive to pruning.

Can I plant a mixed hedge for even more interest?

Absolutely! Mixing several species increases disease resistance, supports more wildlife, and provides layered privacy screens with varying colors and textures year-round.

Conclusion: Transform Your Garden with Fast-Establishing Hedges

If you're dreaming of a tranquil, secluded outdoor haven, quick-growing privacy hedges are the key to fast and beautiful results. Whether you desire year-long green walls, vibrant berries, or stunning springtime blooms, there's a hedge on this list perfect for your needs.

By considering your specific growing conditions and desired outcomes, you can select the ideal fast-growing hedging plants and enjoy a thicker, greener, and more private garden sooner than you thought possible. Don't wait years for traditional hedges to mature--choose from these nine rapid growers and start enjoying enhanced privacy, beauty, and tranquility in your outdoor space today!

• Thuja Green Giant - unstoppable evergreen privacy
• Privet - the classic, fast-growing solution
• Leyland Cypress - sky-high screening in record time
• Cherry Laurel - glossy, dark-green elegance
• Photinia 'Red Robin' - a colorful, modern option
• Boxwood - timeless, formal beauty
• Bamboo - instant privacy with dramatic appeal
• Hornbeam - resilient, wildlife-friendly coverage
• Pyracantha - secure, berry-laden hedging

Looking for more garden inspiration? Explore our other articles on landscaping, privacy screen ideas, and the best plants for modern gardens to create a unique sanctuary tailored to your vision.