9 thriving hedge varieties designed for quick privacy

Posted on 23/05/2025

9 Thriving Hedge Varieties Designed for Quick Privacy

Creating a private outdoor oasis is a top priority for many homeowners. Whether for blocking out neighbors, muffling road noise, or simply enjoying your backyard in peace, fast-growing privacy hedges are a practical solution. But with so many options, which hedge shrubs should you choose? Let's explore nine top hedge varieties that deliver speedy results and robust year-round coverage for the privacy you crave.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

A hedge privacy screen is a living, breathing alternative to fences and walls. While some hedges can take years to form an effective barrier, certain species are renowned for their vigor and quick establishment. Fast-growing hedges offer significant advantages, including:

• Swift coverage, blocking unwanted views within a few seasons
• Dense foliage for effective noise reduction and privacy
• An eco-friendly barrier that supports wildlife and adds curb appeal

Choosing the right hedge variety for rapid privacy means you'll achieve your goals faster, whether you prefer evergreen density or seasonal bursts of color.

Top 9 Hedge Varieties for Speedy Privacy

Let's dive into the best hedge plants and shrubs that grow fast and provide thick, lush screening. We'll highlight standout features for each plant to help you make an informed decision for your unique landscape.

1. Leyland Cypress (X Cuprocyparis leylandii)

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 60-70 feet (can be clipped to desired height)
• USDA Zones: 6-10

Leyland Cypress is a go-to for homeowners and landscapers seeking a fast-growing privacy hedge. Its feathery green foliage, formal appearance, and extraordinary growth rate make it an ideal living fence. Plant them roughly 3 feet apart for a dense privacy wall within just a few years.

• Best For: Large yards, tall privacy screens, windbreaks, noise barriers
• Tip: Regular pruning helps maintain your preferred shape and prevents this plant from outgrowing its space.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja 'Green Giant')

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-40 feet (prune for shorter hedges)
• USDA Zones: 5-9

The Green Giant Arborvitae has earned its reputation as one of the best hedges for privacy. With lush, evergreen foliage that stays vibrant year-round, it quickly forms a towering barrier for complete seclusion.

• Best For: Tall living walls, property lines, wind screening
• Tip: Resistant to most pests and deer, making it low-maintenance for busy households.

3. Privet (Ligustrum species)

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-15 feet (depending on variety and pruning)
• USDA Zones: 5-8 (European and Japanese varieties most common)

Privet hedges have adorned gardens for centuries due to their fast growth, tolerance of diverse conditions, and dense, leafy appearance. Easy to shape, they're perfect for informal or formal hedging styles.

• Best For: Mid-sized garden borders, urban privacy, topiary shapes
• Tip: Planting in a row and shearing annually encourages bushy growth and a compact barrier.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 15-30 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-9

Cherry Laurel, sometimes called English Laurel, is prized for its broad, glossy leaves and rapid growth. Its dense foliage creates a striking backdrop and reliable privacy screen, ideal for modern landscapes seeking quick seclusion.

• Best For: Shaded locations, attractive evergreen backdrop, bird-friendly gardens
• Tip: Tolerates pruning very well and can be maintained in both hedge and tree form.

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

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet
• USDA Zones: 7-9

If you desire privacy with a pop of color, Red-Tipped Photinia is an outstanding choice. New growth emerges vibrant red before settling to a deep, lustrous green, offering year-round interest alongside dense coverage.

• Best For: Decorative privacy, mixed hedges, flowering gardens
• Tip: Annual pruning after spring growth keeps the hedge bushy and colorful.

6. American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-30 feet (many cultivars available)
• USDA Zones: 3-8

A classic and adaptable privacy screen, American Arborvitae (also called White Cedar) offers a traditional look with its scale-like, aromatic green foliage. It's cold-hardy, making it ideal for northern climates, and forms an elegant, uniform hedge.

• Best For: Cold regions, narrow spaces, foundation planting
• Tip: Choose narrow varieties like 'Smaragd' for smaller spaces.

7. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-18 feet
• USDA Zones: 6-9

Skip Laurel is a compact cousin of Cherry Laurel, tailored for narrower spaces where privacy is still a must. Its soft, narrow leaves and vertical growth make it perfect for tight spots or along walkways.

• Best For: Space-limited yards, shaded areas, beneath mature trees
• Tip: Plant closer together (3-5 feet apart) for a quick, full wall effect.

8. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties: Fargesia and Bambusa)

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year for clumping types
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet (variety dependent)
• USDA Zones: Varies (Fargesia: 5-9; Bambusa: 8-11)

For those who love a dramatic, exotic flair, clumping bamboo is a smart, non-invasive solution for rapid coverage. Unlike running bamboo, clumping types won't spread uncontrollably, but still form a lush, evergreen privacy hedge in a fraction of the time of woody shrubs.

• Best For: Asian-inspired gardens, modern spaces, softening hardscapes
• Tip: Choose a cold-hardy clumping variety for northern climates, like Fargesia nitida.

9. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet (can reach 20+ in ideal conditions)
• USDA Zones: 7-10

Endlessly adaptable, Wax Myrtle is one of the fastest-growing hedge plants for privacy in southern gardens. Its fragrance and resistance to coastal winds and salt make it a favorite for challenging sites. Soft, aromatic leaves provide a relaxed, natural look while rapidly filling in.

• Best For: Coastal gardens, wildlife-friendly landscapes, informal privacy
• Tip: Supports pollinators, birds, and is drought tolerant once established.

Choosing the Right Hedge: Factors to Consider

Selecting your ideal privacy hedge variety involves more than just picking the fastest grower. Consider these factors to ensure you create a thriving green wall tailored to your location and aesthetic preferences:

• Climate: Match plants to your USDA zone for year-round success.
• Sunlight: Some fast-growing hedges prefer full sun; others, like laurels or Skip Laurel, tolerate significant shade.
• Soil: Test drainage and amend as needed--heavy clay or sand may require specific species or soil improvement.
• Maintenance: Some hedges, like Privet or Photinia, need regular pruning, while Arborvitae and Green Giant need less frequent shaping.
• Space: Consider mature height and spread; some, like Leyland Cypress, need wide space, while Skip Laurel fits narrow borders.
• Wildlife: Certain species attract birds, butterflies, or pollinators for an ecological boost.

Planting and Caring for Quick Privacy Hedges

To establish a healthy, long-lasting living privacy wall, follow these best practices:

• Prepare the Site: Remove weeds, loosen the soil, and add compost for better root growth.
• Spacing: Refer to each species' recommended spacing. Closer spacing accelerates privacy but may necessitate more pruning later.
• Watering: Provide consistent water during the first year. Most speedy hedges are drought-tolerant once mature.
• Mulching: Retains moisture, regulates temperature, and suppresses weeds.
• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages bushy, full growth and keeps hedges tidy and dense.

Frequently Asked Questions on Privacy Hedges

• Q: What is the fastest growing hedge for privacy?
  A: Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are among the fastest, capable of growing 3 feet or more per year when given the right conditions.
• Q: Which evergreen hedge is best for year-round privacy?
  A: Evergreen options like American Arborvitae, Cherry Laurel, and Skip Laurel provide year-round coverage and shelter.
• Q: How close should I plant fast growing hedges?
  A: Spacing depends on the species. Generally, plant 2-5 feet apart for rapid fill-in. Always follow recommendations for each shrub.
• Q: What maintenance do privacy hedges require?
  A: Most fast-growing hedges need annual (or bi-annual) shearing to keep shape, plus mulching and occasional fertilizing for vigor.
• Q: Is bamboo a good choice for privacy screening?
  A: Yes--with the caveat to choose clumping, not running, varieties to avoid invasiveness. Bamboo provides an eye-catching, evergreen screen.

Create Your Private Retreat: A Summary

A fast-growing privacy hedge is more than a garden feature--it's an investment in your outdoor comfort and property value. By choosing from these nine thriving hedge varieties, you can enjoy lush, living walls that establish quickly and offer robust seclusion year after year. Remember to match the plant to your site, care for young hedges as they establish, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of your new green sanctuary!

Whether you prefer the stately lines of Leyland Cypress, the glossy depth of Cherry Laurel, or the exotic whispers of clumping bamboo, these standout selections ensure every homeowner can find a privacy hedge that flourishes quickly and elegantly.

• Choose wisely, and your hedge will thrive--delivering privacy, beauty, and peace to your landscape in no time.

Further Reading and Inspiration

• How to Maintain and Prune Privacy Hedges
• Designing a Wildlife-Friendly Hedge Border
• Top Tips for Successful Hedge Planting

Transform your space with any of these fast-growing privacy hedge options and enjoy your outdoor sanctuary sooner!