Ensure Privacy with These 9 High-Speed Growing Hedges

Posted on 25/06/2025

In a world where outdoor privacy is increasingly sought after, hedges offer a naturally beautiful solution to keep prying eyes at bay. But not all hedging plants grow at the same speed! If you need quick garden privacy, these fast-growing hedges are your best bet.

From classic evergreens to flowering beauties, each hedge in this guide is renowned for rapid growth, dense foliage, and the ability to create a sheltered oasis in record time. Read on to discover nine of the fastest-growing hedges for privacy, complete with care tips, size estimates, and their unique standout features.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Privacy is one of the main reasons to plant a hedge, but waiting years for it to mature isn't ideal. Fast-growing hedges offer:

• Quick coverage - Shield your home or garden in just a season or two.
• Noise reduction - Dense foliage muffles road or neighborhood sounds.
• Wind protection - A living hedge reduces wind chill and protects more delicate garden plants.
• Wildlife habitats - Many species provide food and homes for songbirds and beneficial insects.
• Aesthetic appeal - Hedges can be neatly clipped or left loose for a natural look.

Now, let's explore the best high-speed privacy hedges for reliable and rapid results.

Top 9 Rapid-Growth Hedges for Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

• Growth rate: Up to 3 feet (90cm) per year
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Mature height: 60-70 feet (can be trimmed to size as needed)
• Best for: Tall, dense privacy screens

The Leyland Cypress is famous as one of the fastest-growing trees for privacy. It forms a tall, dense wall of feathery green foliage that acts as an impenetrable barrier year-round. Clip into a formal shape or let it develop a natural, informal screen.

Caution: This robust grower needs regular pruning to prevent it outgrowing its space!

2. Privet (Ligustrum species)

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Full sun to shade
• Mature height: 10-15 feet
• Best for: Formal clipped hedges, adaptable to almost any site

Privet hedges are a classic choice for living fences. These fast-growing plants withstand regular trimming, thrive in various soil conditions, and tolerate urban pollution. When left unclipped, fragrant white flowers attract bees and butterflies.

3. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Mature height: 30-50 feet; manageable with regular pruning
• Best for: Quick evergreen privacy in large spaces

With exceptional vigor, the Green Giant Arborvitae is one of the speediest evergreens for creating a thick, lush privacy hedge. This disease-resistant, drought-tolerant hedging plant offers lasting color and coverage even on poor soils.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Sun or shade
• Mature height: 15-20 feet
• Best for: Broadleaf, glossy evergreen privacy hedges

If you prefer lush, glossy leaves, the Cherry Laurel delivers both speedy growth and a solid barrier. Its broad evergreen leaves are ideal for screening, and it tolerates dry shade better than most hedges.

Bonus: White spring blooms and bird-attracting berries in late summer add wildlife value.

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

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Mature height: 10-15 feet
• Best for: Privacy with a vibrant splash of color

The Photinia 'Red Robin' is renowned for its stunning red new growth in spring. This high-speed privacy shrub forms a colorful, evergreen hedge, giving an attractive alternative to darker green species.

Tip: Clip regularly to encourage more red foliage and a bushy structure.

6. Bamboo (Clumping Types like Fargesia)

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Sun or partial shade
• Mature height: 10-15 feet
• Best for: Modern, exotic privacy screens - avoid running bamboo types

Bamboo is synonymous with fast growth and instant screening. Clumping varieties (like Fargesia) are non-invasive and form graceful, leafy thickets that block views while adding movement and sound to gardens.

Note: Always select clumping, not running, bamboos for garden hedges!

7. Willow Hybrid (Salix x matsudana x alba 'Austree')

• Growth rate: 6-10 feet per year!
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Mature height: 30-50 feet, but can be pruned to size
• Best for: Super-fast tall privacy hedges where space allows

Few plants match the incredible speed of the Willow Hybrid. Often called "Austree," these trees will quickly create live fences or windbreak hedges. Their rapid growth makes them likewise perfect for erosion control.

Tip: Prune young plants often to encourage denser growth and keep at desired height.

8. Escallonia (Escallonia species)

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Mature height: 4-8 feet
• Best for: Flowering privacy hedges and coastal gardens

Escallonia gives you beautiful glossy green leaves and clusters of pink, red, or white blooms all summer. The dense foliage forms a reliable privacy barrier, and its salt tolerance means it thrives by the sea.

Wildlife bonus: Highly attractive to pollinators, especially bees.

9. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

• Growth rate: 1.5-2 feet per year
• Sun requirements: Sun or light shade
• Mature height: 15-20 feet
• Best for: Elegant, formal high-speed privacy hedges

For a sophisticated privacy hedge, the Portuguese Laurel delivers with dark green, pointed leaves and red stems. It grows fast, responds beautifully to trimming, and stays dense even during winter.

Caring for Your Fast-Growing Hedging Plants

Establish your hedge quickly and keep it looking its best with these tips:

• Soil preparation: Enrich planting areas with compost and ensure proper drainage.
• Regular watering: Newly planted hedges need consistent moisture for the first two years.
• Mulch: Helps retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition.
• Feeding: Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring to fuel fast growth.
• Pruning: Prune at least once a year (more often for formal hedges), removing only as much growth as needed to maintain your ideal shape.

Tip: Plant in a staggered, double row for an even faster, thicker privacy screen.

Choosing the Right High-Speed Growing Hedge for Your Garden

When picking a fast-growing privacy hedge, consider:

• Ultimate height and spread - Do you need screening at ground level, or a tall barrier to block upper windows?
• Maintenance level - Some hedges (like Leyland Cypress) need frequent clipping; others (like Escallonia) are lower maintenance.
• Wildlife/biodiversity - Flowering hedges and berry producers are better for pollinators and birds.
• Space and sunlight - Check the mature size and light needs of each hedge before planting.
• Climate and soil - Make sure your choice suits your region's conditions (e.g., coastal hardiness, drought tolerance).
• Appearance - Do you prefer formal neatness, year-round greenery, or a more natural look?

Frequently Asked Questions: High-Speed Growing Hedges

How fast will my privacy hedge fill in?

Most high-speed hedges will establish within 2-4 years if planted at recommended spacing and cared for well. Some, like Willow Hybrid, can create a full screen in a single season!

How far apart should I plant hedges for privacy?

Generally, space plants at 1-3 feet apart, depending on their mature size and specific recommendations. The closer you plant, the faster your hedge will fill in, but competition for resources may be higher.

Do fast-growing hedges need a lot of maintenance?

While most speedy hedges need more frequent pruning, their maintenance is mainly focused on shaping. Feeding, watering, and mulching during establishment are essential for the best results.

Can I combine different hedge species?

Absolutely! Mixed hedging can provide year-round interest, better wildlife habitats, and a more natural look. Just keep the growth rates similar for an even barrier.

Final Thoughts: Achieve Instant Privacy with Fast-Growing Hedges

It's easier than ever to ensure privacy in your outdoor space with the right fast-growing hedge plants. Whether you want a solid evergreen wall, a colorful flowering boundary, or a modern bamboo screen, these nine selections will deliver rapid, reliable results without waiting decades for full coverage.

Choose your favorite from this list, plant correctly, and with just a little care, you'll soon enjoy peace, seclusion, and a beautiful green backdrop in your garden! Don't let your privacy wait - let nature do the screening, and relax in your personal outdoor retreat.