Privacy Upgrade: Explore 9 Fast-Growing Hedge Options

Posted on 03/10/2025

Privacy Upgrade: Explore 9 Fast-Growing Hedge Options

Looking for a natural, attractive solution to enhance privacy in your outdoor space? Fast-growing hedges offer a beautiful, eco-friendly way to upgrade your garden's seclusion. If you're interested in giving your property more seclusion or creating well-defined green boundaries, this comprehensive guide will explore 9 of the best fast-growing privacy hedge options available.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Natural privacy screens, especially those composed of quick-growing plants, are increasingly popular with homeowners. Hedge privacy options not only offer visual seclusion, but also buffer sound, improve air quality, attract wildlife, and add lush beauty to your property. Compared to wooden or vinyl fences, fast-growing hedges can establish a year-round living barrier in just a few seasons, blending beautifully with the landscape.

How to Select the Right Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Needs

• Climate Suitability: Consider your USDA hardiness zone and select plants that will thrive locally.
• Growth Rate: Assess how fast you want your green screen to fill in; some species may reach mature height in 2-4 years.
• Maintenance: Some hedges require regular pruning, while others are low-maintenance.
• Evergreen vs Deciduous: Evergreens offer year-round privacy, whereas deciduous hedges may have seasonal gaps.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Opt for hardy varieties to avoid issues down the line.
• Desired Aesthetic: Think about leaf shape, flower potential, and overall appearance.

Ready to transform your outdoor living space? Let's explore nine fast-growing hedge options that provide privacy with style and speed!

1. Leyland Cypress - The Speedy Evergreen Privacy Solution

Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii) is one of the most popular and fastest-growing options for privacy hedges. Known for its dense, feathery foliage and rapid vertical growth, this hedge can grow up to 24-36 inches per year, quickly forming a thick, emerald-green wall.

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year under ideal conditions
• Maximum Height: 30-50 feet (manageable with regular pruning)
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10
• Best For: Tall privacy screens, windbreaks, and large properties

Tip: Plant Leyland Cypress at least 6-10 feet apart to avoid crowding and allow healthy airflow.

Highlights of Leyland Cypress for Hedges:

• Evergreen foliage offers year-round seclusion
• Very fast-growing privacy hedge option
• Tolerates a range of soils and some drought once established

2. Arborvitae - Classic Choice for Dense Green Privacy

Arborvitae (Thuja species) is another top pick among fast-growing hedge plants. The 'Green Giant' cultivar, in particular, is valued for its resilience and quick growth. Arborvitae offers lush, dense foliage that provides excellent natural privacy screens while requiring minimal maintenance once established.

• Growth Rate: 3 feet per year for 'Green Giant'
• Height: 20-40 feet (can be pruned for shorter hedges)
• Zones: 5-8
• Best For: Dense privacy, narrow spaces, wind protection

Tip: Space arborvitae 5-10 feet apart for an effective green wall.

Benefits of Arborvitae for Privacy:

• Stays green year-round
• Minimal shedding and non-messy foliage
• Withstands cold and moderate drought

3. Privet - Fast and Flexible Privacy Hedge

Privet (Ligustrum species) is favored for its quick growth, dense foliage, and ability to be shaped into formal hedges. It's often used where a medium-height, easily-pruned privacy barrier is needed. Varieties like Common Privet and California Privet can form a privacy upgrade in as little as 2-3 years.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: 8-12 feet
• Zones: 5-8 (some varieties are less hardy)
• Best For: Medium-sized privacy hedges, urban yards

Bonus: Privet hedges bloom with fragrant white flowers in early summer, attracting pollinators to your garden.

Why Choose Privet for Your Privacy Hedge?

• Responds well to shaping and hard pruning
• Low maintenance once established
• Tolerates urban pollution and varied soil types

4. Bamboo - Exotic and Ultra-Fast Privacy Barrier

If you want a lightning-fast privacy screen hedge option, bamboo is unmatched. Clumping bamboo varieties, such as Fargesia or Bambusa multiplex, are ideal for creating tall, dense screens without the risk of unwanted spreading.

• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year in optimal conditions
• Height: 10-30 feet depending on species
• Zones: 5-10 (varies by type)
• Best For: Quick privacy, contemporary landscapes, tight spaces

Note: Always select clumping (not running) bamboo species to prevent invasive spread.

Key Advantages of Bamboo Privacy Hedges:

• Rapid establishment and dense foliage
• Unique appearance for modern gardens
• Wind-resistant and flexible in storms

5. Laurel - Lush Green Hedges with Speed

Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a favorite for privacy hedges thanks to its broad, glossy leaves and fast growth. Its thick structure and adaptability make it a go-to choice for formal and informal living fences.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet annually
• Height: 10-18 feet (depending on pruning)
• Zones: 6-9
• Best For: Evergreen screens, noise reduction, shade

Tip: English and Portuguese laurel varieties are also excellent for privacy upgrade projects, each adding unique leaf shapes and characteristics.

Laurel's Benefits as a Privacy Hedge:

• Year-round green coverage
• Withstands hard pruning, even into old wood
• Tolerates shade and urban conditions

6. Photinia - Colorful Living Privacy Screen

Want a privacy hedge with a splash of color? Photinia (Photinia x fraseri, 'Red Tip') is a fast-growing privacy upgrade that offers glossy green leaves tipped in vibrant red during new growth.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Height: 10-15 feet
• Zones: 7-9
• Best For: Decorative privacy borders, flowering hedges

Tip: Prune regularly to promote colorful new foliage and maintain density.

Photinia Hedge Advantages:

• Striking red-tipped foliage in spring and autumn
• White flower clusters add seasonal interest
• Evergreen barrier to enhance year-round privacy

7. Hornbeam - Elegant and Hardy Deciduous Hedge

European hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a superb choice for those seeking a formal privacy hedge that's tough, disease-resistant, and moderately fast-growing. While it is deciduous, hornbeam retains its coppery leaves through winter in many climates for year-round screening.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Height: 12-20 feet
• Zones: 4-8
• Best For: Formal hedges, privacy in colder climates

Bonus: Hornbeam can be pruned tightly for precise, architectural outlines, or left less formal for a softer look.

Hornbeam Hedge Perks:

• Excellent windbreak and sound barrier
• Versatile in sizing and shaping
• Strong tolerance for various soil types

8. Viburnum - Fast-Filling, Flowering Privacy Hedge

Viburnum offers a wide selection of varieties usable as hedge privacy options. Some, like Viburnum tinus and Viburnum odoratissimum, are evergreen, very fast-growing and feature generous clusters of white (and sometimes fragrant) flowers in spring or summer.

• Growth Rate: 1.5-3 feet annually for fast species
• Height: 6-15 feet
• Zones: 5-10 depending on variety
• Best For: Blooms, privacy for smaller yards, urban or suburban borders

Tip: Select the right viburnum variety for your region--some are more cold-hardy, while others prefer mild winters.

Why Viburnum for Privacy Hedges?

• Beautiful flowers and sometimes berries
• Dense foliage, often evergreen
• Attracts birds and pollinators

9. Holly - Thorny, Evergreen Security Hedges

Holly (Ilex species) hedges are the perfect privacy hedge upgrade for those needing both screening and an added security element. Its dense, glossy, spiny leaves deter trespassers while providing shelter for birds through winter.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year for some varieties
• Height: 10-15 feet
• Zones: 5-9
• Best For: Evergreen privacy, security, wildlife gardens

Tip: Choose from English, American, or Japanese holly for different mature sizes, leaf shapes, and berry production.

Benefits of Holly as a Privacy Hedge:

• Year-round, thorny evergreen barrier
• Attractive red or orange berries in fall/winter
• Hardy, low-maintenance, and great for wildlife

Care and Maintenance for Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

To ensure your privacy hedge options flourish, regular care is essential:

• Watering: Establish deep roots with well-timed, deep watering, especially during the first year.
• Mulching: Reduce weeds and retain soil moisture with organic mulches.
• Pruning: Formative pruning promotes dense growth; annual trims preserve shape and height.
• Feeding: Use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for hedges or evergreens in early spring.

Be patient! Your fast-growing privacy hedge can establish in just a few years, but healthy, robust plants offer the best long-term privacy and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which Privately Hedge Grows the Fastest?

Leyland Cypress and some varieties of bamboo are among the fastest privacy hedge plants, with growth rates of 3-5 feet annually in optimal conditions. However, consider your climate and space before making your final choice.

Should I Choose Evergreen or Deciduous Hedges for Privacy?

For year-round privacy upgrades, evergreen hedges are best. Deciduous hedges, like hornbeam, offer seasonal privacy but may lose leaves in winter. Decide based on your privacy needs and desired aesthetic.

Can I Mix Different Hedge Species?

Yes. Mixing species can add biodiversity, interest, and stagger flowering periods. Ensure all selected plants are compatible regarding soil, sunlight, and water needs.

Final Thoughts: Upgrade Your Privacy with Living Green Walls

Whether you need a rapid privacy upgrade for a new property or want to replace an aging fence with a lush, green screen, these nine fast-growing hedge options are sure to suit a variety of landscape styles and needs.

• Leyland Cypress and Arborvitae - Ultimate evergreens for rapid growth
• Privet and Laurel - Dense, classic choices for formal or informal gardens
• Bamboo and Photinia - For contemporary style and vibrant color
• Hornbeam, Viburnum, and Holly - Versatile, hardy, and full of wildlife value

With careful planning and proper care, your privacy screen hedge will quickly transform into a stunning, natural barrier that enhances both the tranquility and beauty of your outdoor sanctuary. Start planting your living privacy upgrade today!