Boost Privacy with 9 Speedy Growing Hedges

Posted on 28/05/2025

Boost Privacy with 9 Speedy Growing Hedges: The Ultimate Guide

In our modern world, privacy is a precious commodity, especially for homeowners and garden enthusiasts. Whether you want to shield your yard from noisy streets, nosy neighbors, or simply create a tranquil green oasis, fast-growing privacy hedges are one of the best solutions. These living fences not only quickly form natural privacy screens but also enhance property value, attract wildlife, and beautify landscapes. In this comprehensive guide, discover the best choices, their benefits, and expert care tips on how to boost privacy with 9 speedy growing hedges.

Why Choose Fast Growing Hedges for Privacy?

• Immediate Privacy: Quickly shield your yard from prying eyes.
• Natural Beauty: Add lush greenery and enhance curb appeal.
• Sound Barrier: Dampen street noise effectively.
• Wind Protection: Create a windbreak for your home and garden.
• Wildlife Haven: Offer shelter and food for birds and pollinators.
• Sustainable Solution: Eco-friendly compared to artificial screens.

Traditional fences can be expensive and require continual maintenance, while fast-growing hedges are cost-effective, low-maintenance, and attractive. Keep reading to learn which rapid growing hedge varieties are best for privacy and how to care for them.

9 Speedy Growing Hedges That Boost Privacy Instantly

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Thuja 'Green Giant' tops the list of fast privacy hedges. This evergreen is renowned for its dense foliage, upright growth, and resistance to pests and disease. In optimal conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year and reach 30-40 feet tall--ideal for screening two-story homes.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Well-drained; adaptable to many types
• Care: Prune to shape; water during drought

*Boosting your privacy* with Green Giant hedges is quick and rewarding, making them a top choice for large properties.

2. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Preferred for urban and suburban gardens, Cherry Laurel offers lush, broad leaves and compact growth--forming a dense, attractive hedge in just a few seasons. It tolerates shade, pollution, and pruning, making it one of the most versatile fast growing privacy hedge plants.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to full shade
• Soil: Tolerant of poor soils
• Care: Prune regularly to maintain shape and size

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet is a classic hedging option found in historic and modern landscapes alike. With its rapid growth and dense branching, Ligustrum can be trimmed to create formal shapes or left informal. It's a favorite for property lines where fast privacy with fast-growing hedges is needed.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Adaptable
• Care: Responds well to hard pruning

Note: Some privet species may be invasive in certain regions--be sure to check local advisories before planting.

4. Photinia x fraseri ('Red Robin')

For a splash of color alongside your living fence, Photinia is unbeatable. This evergreen wonder's coppery-red new growth matures to rich green. Photinia 'Red Robin' can reach up to 2 feet of new growth yearly and produces white spring blossoms to delight pollinators.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun is best
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained
• Care: Prune after flowering; watch for leaf spot

Combine Photinia with other hedge plants for a layered, privacy-rich landscape.

5. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

If you value both privacy and formality, *Boxwood hedges* provide an elegant solution. While not the fastest on this list, certain boxwood cultivars like 'Winter Gem' and 'Green Velvet' offer moderate-fast growth and can be sheared into precise shapes, adding a stately charm.

• Growth Rate: 6-12 inches per year (up to 1.5 feet for faster varieties)
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Prefers alkaline, well-drained
• Care: Fertilize yearly; prune to maintain density

Ideal for: Framing pathways and defining garden rooms while providing reliable privacy.

6. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

One of the fastest hedging conifers available, Leyland Cypress can rocket upwards at 3-4 feet per year in good conditions, quickly forming an impenetrable green wall. This tree is favored for its uniform appearance and ability to grow exceedingly tall, ensuring even the tallest homes enjoy privacy.

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, fertile
• Care: Requires annual trimming for size control

Pro tip: Space Leyland Cypress far enough apart to reduce risk of overcrowding and disease.

7. Escallonia (Escallonia spp.)

Boasting both glossy foliage and summery pink, red, or white flowers, Escallonia creates a fragrant, bee-friendly privacy hedge. Its fast, bushy growth is well-suited to milder regions and coastal gardens.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun preferred
• Soil: Moist, well-drained
• Care: Drought-tolerant once established; responds well to pruning

Boost your property's privacy and its biodiversity with Escallonia's cheerful flowers and evergreen leaves all year round.

8. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Fargesia spp.)

If you crave instant height and lushness, consider clump-forming bamboo as one of the fastest ways to boost privacy. Some species can grow several feet in a single summer, creating a tall, modern-looking green barrier.

• Growth Rate: 2-5 feet per year, depending on species
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Moisture-retentive but well-drained soil
• Care: Water regularly; use root barriers for running types

Important: Only plant clump-forming or non-invasive species (like Fargesia) to avoid spread.

9. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

For gardeners seeking a refined, glossy-leaved privacy hedge, Portuguese Laurel is a fantastic selection. Its neat growth habit, tolerance to drought, and tolerance of heavy pruning make it a top privacy-boosting hedge that flourishes in various settings.

• Growth Rate: 1.5-2 feet per year
• Sun Requirements: Full sun to shade
• Soil: Not fussy - handles clay, chalk, or sand
• Care: Prune annually for fullness and shape

Key Care Tips to Turbo Charge Growth

To make the most of your speedy growing hedges for privacy, follow these tried-and-true guidelines:

• Water Well: Establish new plants with regular, deep watering for the first year.
• Mulch for Moisture: Apply organic mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feed Annually: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to fuel lush growth.
• Prune Carefully: Shape your hedge regularly to encourage density and maintain your desired height.
• Spacing: Don't plant too close--allow each hedge room to reach its mature width.
• Inspect for Pests: Monitor for common issues like scale, aphids, or fungus--early action keeps hedges healthy.

Choosing the Right Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Garden

When planning to boost your privacy with a fast-growing hedge, consider your local climate, soil type, garden size, and desired hedge height. Ask yourself:

• How tall does the hedge need to be?
• Is it for shade, sun, or a bit of both?
• Do you want evergreen privacy or seasonal color?
• How much maintenance are you willing to undertake?
• Are there pets or children who may interact with the hedge?

*For instance*, if you want towering, year-round seclusion, opt for Green Giant Arborvitae or Leyland Cypress. If you prefer smaller, compact hedges with vibrant leaf color, Photinia or Portuguese Laurel are excellent choices. For flower-lovers, Escallonia brings lively blooms; and for modern aesthetics, bamboo adds instant green architecture.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How quickly will a hedge become fully private?

Most of the quickest growing privacy hedges listed above will achieve good coverage in 2-3 years with proper planting and care. Green Giant Arborvitae and Leyland Cypress can create full privacy in as little as 3-5 years at standard planting densities.

Which are the most low-maintenance fast hedges?

Thuja Green Giant, Portuguese Laurel, and Bamboo (clumping forms) require minimal pruning and upkeep. However, all hedges will need some degree of annual maintenance to ensure a neat appearance and vigorous growth.

Can I mix different species for a privacy hedge?

Absolutely! Mixing species can improve diversity, boost year-round appeal, and support beneficial wildlife. Try alternating Photinia and Escallonia for color and flowers, or blend laurels with evergreen conifers for texture and height.

What is the best hedge for small gardens?

Opt for slower growing, denser species like boxwood or dwarf cherry laurel for neat, manageable hedges in compact urban gardens.

Conclusion: Level Up Your Landscape Privacy Now!

Whether you live in a bustling city or a peaceful suburb, privacy hedges with fast growth rates offer a beautiful, sustainable, and lasting solution. From the towering Green Giant Arborvitae to the colorful Photinia and the modern bamboo, you're sure to find the right hedge to suit your needs and style.

By careful planting, consistent care, and choosing the right species for your unique property, you can boost privacy with 9 speedy growing hedges and transform your yard into a lush, secluded sanctuary.

Ready to get started? Visit your local nursery, assess your landscape, and begin planning the living fence that will make your private retreat a reality. For more privacy-boosting gardening tips, bookmark this guide and check back for updates!

• Shield your space naturally with greenery
• Increase your home's value
• Enjoy tranquility every season

Don't wait for privacy--plant it today!