9 Privacy Hedges That Flourish Quickly for Added Seclusion

Posted on 04/06/2025

9 Privacy Hedges That Flourish Quickly for Added Seclusion

If you're seeking immediate privacy solutions for your garden or backyard, fast-growing privacy hedges are an ideal choice. The right privacy hedge plants not only shield your outdoor space from prying eyes, but also add beauty, attract wildlife, and reduce noise. In this well-researched, comprehensive guide, we reveal 9 fast-growing privacy hedge varieties that will grant your home both seclusion and visual appeal. Whether you're looking for vibrant evergreens or flowering options, you'll discover top recommendations to suit your needs.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Planting a quick-growing hedge for privacy often offers several advantages:

• Rapid Results: Enjoy a natural screen in just few seasons.
• Cost-Effective: Grow your own living fence, often cheaper than hardscaping.
• Environmental Benefits: Hedges absorb sound, reduce dust, and provide shelter for birds.
• Improved Aesthetics: Many privacy hedges offer year-round color and interest.

With these perks in mind, let's explore the best tall and bushy contenders that will transform your property into a peaceful oasis.

Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy and Seclusion

1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

The Green Giant Arborvitae is a favorite for creating dense, evergreen walls of foliage. Known for its remarkably quick growth--up to 3 feet per year--this hedge variety is ideal for privacy barriers and windbreaks.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 30-40 feet, easily trimmed for desired height.
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Needs: Adaptable, prefers well-drained soil.
• Features: Deer-resistant, drought-tolerant once established, stays lush all year.

Tip: Space about 5-6 feet apart for a solid, quickly established green wall.

2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

The Leyland Cypress is another classic choice for those desiring instant privacy hedge solutions. Its elegant, feathery foliage forms a thick green screen in no time. Leyland Cyprus tolerates pruning well, making it easy to shape and maintain your desired hedge height and thickness.

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year--one of the fastest hedges available!
• Mature Height: Up to 50 feet, but easily kept at 6-15 feet with regular trimming.
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun, tolerates light shade.
• Soil Needs: Grows in a variety of soils, provided they are well-drained.
• Features: Tolerates coastal conditions and windy sites.

Note: Leyland cypress needs room to grow, so avoid overcrowding.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

If you want a fast-growing privacy fence with a more traditional, formal look, privet is the answer. This dense, semi-evergreen shrub can be shaped into neat hedges or left for a more natural appearance. Often used in urban gardens, privet is both tough and adaptable.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Mature Height: Typically 10-15 feet.
• Sunlight: Full sun or part shade.
• Soil Needs: Not fussy--grows in most soils.
• Features: Tolerates heavy pruning, can be kept low or tall.

Plant privet hedges 12-18 inches apart for a thick, impenetrable screen within a couple of years.

4. Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')

Also called Schip or Skip Laurel, this glossy-leaved evergreen is rapidly gaining popularity. It boasts dense foliage and produces fragrant white flowers in spring. Skip laurel hedges are among the best for garden seclusion, blocking out sights and sounds efficiently.

• Growth Rate: 2 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 10-18 feet if left untrimmed.
• Sunlight: Tolerates full sun and deep shade.
• Soil Needs: Prefers well-drained, moist soil.
• Features: Resistant to pests, drought and pollution.

Bonus: Skip laurel keeps its bright green leaves even in harsh winters, ensuring year-round privacy.

5. Bamboo (Clumping Types: Bambusa multiplex, Fargesia)

For a touch of the exotic, clumping bamboo species make spectacular privacy hedges. Unlike running bamboo, clumping varieties are non-invasive, growing in well-contained clumps. Their vertical canes and lush foliage form a living wall that grows up to 3-5 feet per year.

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year (in optimal conditions).
• Mature Height: 8-20 feet, depending on the variety.
• Sunlight: Full or partial sun.
• Soil Needs: Fertile, well-drained soil.
• Features: Screen all year, very wind-resistant.

Plant tip: Space clumping bamboo 4-6 feet apart for best privacy coverage.

6. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

If you desire a fast privacy hedge that's also visually striking in winter, Red Twig Dogwood is a fantastic choice. Its brilliant red stems make a statement from late fall through spring, and it adapts well to various climates.

• Growth Rate: 2-4 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 8-10 feet.
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil Needs: Prefers moist, fertile soil but tolerates a range.
• Features: Attracts birds, great fall color, easily pruned.

Combine with evergreen shrubs for a year-round privacy hedge solution that's never dull!

7. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex x 'Nellie R. Stevens')

With its shiny dark green leaves and bright red berries, Nellie Stevens Holly is both beautiful and functional. This fast-growing evergreen is prized for forming thick, spiky hedges that deter trespassers and provide excellent privacy quickly.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 15-25 feet (can be trimmed lower).
• Sunlight: Sun or shade tolerant.
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil.
• Features: Deer-resistant, drought-tolerant, supports pollinators.

Plant this holly for instant privacy and vibrant winter color.

8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

The Wax Myrtle shrub is native to the southeastern United States, prized for its aromatic foliage and remarkable adaptability. It's an excellent option for those seeking a quick privacy hedge that tolerates a range of soil and weather conditions.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet, but can be maintained shorter.
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun to partial shade.
• Soil Needs: Handles poor, sandy, or wet soils.
• Features: Salt-tolerant, insect and disease resistant.

Wax Myrtle's fragrant leaves and soft berries provide a pleasant scent and attract songbirds, making your garden both private and lively.

9. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Tip')

For a vivid privacy hedge that changes with the seasons, try Red Tip Photinia. This vibrant evergreen boasts bright red new growth in spring, maturing to deep green in summer. Its dense habit creates an effective living privacy fence in a few years.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Mature Height: 10-15 feet.
• Sunlight: Full sun preferred.
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil.
• Features: Responds well to pruning, disease-resistant cultivars available.

Tip: Prune regularly to maintain dense shape and encourage colorful new growth.

Choosing the Best Privacy Hedge for Your Landscape

When deciding which fast-growing hedge plants suit your outdoor space, consider:

• Growth Rate: How quickly do you want privacy established?
• Height & Spread: How tall and wide should your privacy hedge become?
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Do you desire year-round coverage or seasonal interest?
• Soil & Climate Suitability: Will your chosen plant thrive in your local environment?
• Wildlife Value: Are you interested in attracting birds and pollinators?

Imagine the style and function you want--lush and manicured, or loose and natural--then select a hedge that matches your vision.

Tips for Establishing a Fast Privacy Hedge

• Start with healthy, vigorous plants for quicker establishment.
• Plant at the recommended spacing for dense, uniform growth.
• Water regularly, especially during the first year.
• Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feed with appropriate fertilizer for robust growth (check your chosen plant's needs).
• Prune lightly during the first two years to encourage bushiness, then maintain as desired.

Frequently Asked Questions: Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How tall will fast-growing privacy hedges get?

Most of the fastest growing privacy hedges can be maintained between 6 and 15 feet, but some (like Green Giant and Leyland Cypress) will grow much taller if left unpruned. Choose your hedge plant based on your desired height, and don't hesitate to trim annually to keep it manageable.

How long before my privacy hedge is established?

With rapid-growing hedge plants, you can expect a dense screen within 2-4 growing seasons, depending on the species, size when planted, and your local climate. Planting larger nursery specimens will get you a jump start.

Do I need to fertilize my privacy hedge?

For the fastest results, a balanced slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can help. Compost and organic mulch are also great for long-term soil health. Always follow specific guidelines for your chosen hedge plant to avoid over-fertilization.

Are flowering privacy hedges available?

Yes! Some hedge varieties such as Skip Laurel, Red Twig Dogwood, and Photinia produce beautiful flowers or colorful new growth, combining both visual interest and privacy screening.

Conclusion: Transform Your Space With a Lush, Fast-Growing Hedge

Creating instant seclusion with a quick-growing privacy hedge is a smart and attractive way to enhance your garden. Whether you crave evergreen coverage, vibrant flowers, or unique foliage, you're sure to find the perfect match among our top 9. By following these planting and care tips, your green wall will soon become a living sanctuary--protecting your loved ones and providing peace of mind for years to come.

Start planning your privacy hedge today and enjoy the tranquil, private retreat you deserve!