15 Fast Growing Evergreens to Plant This Fall

If you want instant greenery, year-round color, and a natural screen that grows quickly, fast-growing evergreens are the perfect solution.

I’ve always loved how they transform a garden almost overnight, creating privacy, blocking wind, and adding structure that shines in every season.

Fall is the ideal time to plant them—cooler temperatures and warm soil encourage strong root growth before winter sets in.

Here are my top 15 fast-growing evergreens that thrive when planted in fall.

1. Leyland Cypress

Leyland cypress is one of the fastest-growing evergreens you can plant in fall, often adding 3–4 feet of growth per year. It forms a tall, dense screen that’s perfect for privacy landscaping. To get the best results, plant it in full sun with well-drained soil and give each tree plenty of room to grow.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant arborvitae is my go-to for lush hedges because of its 2–3 feet of annual growth and naturally elegant, pyramid shape. Planting in fall gives it a strong start, and a layer of mulch helps keep the roots warm and moist over winter.

3. Eastern White Pine

With a growth rate of 2–3 feet per year, Eastern white pine is ideal for large spaces where you want a soft, airy look. It thrives in full sun and makes a beautiful windbreak or natural screen.

4. Cryptomeria (Japanese Cedar)

Cryptomeria offers feathery foliage and graceful form, growing 1–2 feet per year. I love planting this in fall because it quickly establishes and adds a lovely texture to mixed plantings. Mulching in fall is key to protecting young roots.

5. Nellie Stevens Holly

This holly is both decorative and fast-growing, with 2–3 feet of growth per year. It creates a dense privacy screen while producing bright red berries for winter interest. To get berries, plant a male holly nearby.

6. Wax Myrtle

Wax myrtle grows 2–4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest evergreens for smaller gardens. It stays semi-evergreen in colder regions but is fully evergreen in mild climates. Fall planting ensures a strong root system before spring.

7. Carolina Sapphire Cypress

I love the 2–3 feet of annual growth of Carolina Sapphire cypress, plus its beautiful blue-green foliage that adds instant color to fall landscapes. It’s also drought-tolerant once established, making it a low-maintenance choice.

8. Privet (Evergreen Varieties)

Evergreen privet can grow 2–3 feet per year, which makes it an excellent option for fast hedging. A fall planting means you’ll have thick, green privacy walls in no time. Trimming it in spring keeps it neat and dense.

9. Cherry Laurel

Cherry laurel is a favorite of mine because of its 2–3 feet per year growth and glossy evergreen leaves. It’s easy to plant in fall, and it looks incredible as a tall hedge or backdrop to flowering shrubs.

10. Thuja ‘Emerald Green’

Although slightly slower than Leyland, Emerald Green thuja still adds 1–2 feet of growth per year. I like to use it where space is tight, as its narrow form creates privacy without taking over the garden.

11. Italian Cypress

Italian cypress is a fast-growing columnar evergreen that can grow 2–3 feet per year under the right conditions. It’s perfect for a formal or Mediterranean-style garden and looks stunning when planted in rows.

12. Arizona Cypress

This cypress has a unique silvery-blue color and grows 2–3 feet annually. It’s excellent for larger landscapes and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Planting in fall helps it root deeply before winter.

13. Bamboo (Clumping Evergreen Types)

Clumping bamboo is a top choice for super-fast growth—up to 4 feet per year in the right conditions. I like using it for instant privacy screens. Fall planting helps it settle before the growing season kicks off.

14. Japanese Black Pine

Japanese black pine grows 1–2 feet per year and adds a unique, architectural look to the landscape. Planting it in fall helps it establish roots quickly, and its rugged appearance stands out in winter gardens.

15. Photinia ‘Red Robin’

Photinia grows 1–2 feet annually and offers a pop of red with its new foliage. I find it works brilliantly as a hedge or mixed border. Fall planting gives it a head start for vibrant growth by spring.

Tips for Planting Fast-Growing Evergreens in Fall

• Water deeply after planting to help roots settle and reduce transplant shock.

• Mulch generously to protect roots and maintain moisture over winter.

• Space plants properly to allow them to reach their full size without crowding.

• Choose sunny spots for best growth and strong foliage color.

• Lightly trim in early spring to shape and encourage dense growth.