Want to stop your nosy neighbors from peeking over the fence? Or maybe you just want a bit of peace and quiet when you’re relaxing in the garden. Whatever the reason, planting fast-growing shrubs is a smart way to create a living privacy screen—and it’s usually a lot more attractive (and affordable) than putting up a giant fence.
From towering evergreens to flowering favorites, here are 15 of the best fast-growing shrubs for privacy hedges, plus practical tips to keep them looking lush.
1. Leyland Cypress
Growth Rate: 3–5 feet per year
Height: Up to 70 feet
If you want a tall hedge fast, Leyland Cypress is your go-to. It’s a vigorous grower with dense, evergreen foliage that forms a solid green wall in just a few years.
How to grow it: Plant 4–6 feet apart in full sun. Prune the tops and sides once a year to keep it neat and encourage bushy growth.
2. Green Giant Arborvitae
Growth Rate: 3–4 feet per year
Height: Up to 50–60 feet
Green Giant is one of the most popular privacy shrubs—and for good reason. It’s hardy, handsome, and grows quickly into a uniform screen.
How to grow it: Space 5–6 feet apart. It naturally grows in a pyramidal shape, so light annual trimming is all it needs to look tidy.
3. Forsythia
Growth Rate: 2–4 feet per year
Height: 8–10 feet
Forsythia brings a burst of bright yellow blooms in early spring, then settles into a leafy green hedge for the rest of the year.
How to grow it: Plant 3–5 feet apart. Prune it right after flowering to shape it and prevent it from getting leggy.
4. Privet (Ligustrum)
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 10–15 feet
Privet gives you that classic hedge look. It’s easy to shape, fast-growing, and dense enough to block out sound as well as sight.
How to grow it: Space 2–4 feet apart. It loves being trimmed, so don’t be shy with the shears if you want a formal, crisp hedge.
5. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)
Growth Rate: 3–5 feet per year
Height: 10–20 feet (varies)
For a modern, tropical look, clumping bamboo is a brilliant choice. Just make sure it’s clumping, not running—or you’ll be fighting it for years.
How to grow it: Plant 3–5 feet apart and add a root barrier to contain it. Trim the tops to your preferred height.
6. Japanese Laurel (Aucuba Japonica)
Growth Rate: 1–2 feet per year
Height: 6–10 feet
A shade-loving gem with glossy green leaves and golden speckles. Japanese Laurel is low-maintenance and brightens up gloomy corners.
How to grow it: Space 3–5 feet apart in partial to full shade. Light pruning will keep it looking smart.
7. Red Twig Dogwood
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 8–10 feet
Not just for privacy—this shrub also puts on a winter show with its vivid red stems. A beautiful four-season choice.
How to grow it: Plant 3–4 feet apart. Prune older stems back in late winter to encourage fresh, colorful growth.
8. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Growth Rate: 3–5 feet per year
Height: 15–20 feet
Wax Myrtle is tough, fast-growing, and ideal for coastal areas. It’s fragrant too, with leathery leaves that keep their color all year.
How to grow it: Space 4–6 feet apart. Prune once or twice a year to shape and thicken up the growth.
9. Nellie Stevens Holly
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 20–25 feet
This evergreen holly is dense, glossy, and covered in red berries through winter. Birds love it, and it makes a fantastic screen.
How to grow it: Plant 5–6 feet apart. Trim in late winter or early spring to maintain a clean, full shape.
10. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 15–25 feet
Cherry Laurel grows fast, tolerates sun or shade, and stays green year-round. It’s a great choice for an all-purpose privacy hedge.
How to grow it: Space 4–6 feet apart. Prune after flowering to keep it tidy and encourage dense growth.
11. Viburnum Tinus
Growth Rate: 1–2 feet per year
Height: 10–12 feet
Evergreen foliage, pink flower buds, white blooms, and dark berries—this shrub does it all. It’s compact and neat, too.
How to grow it: Plant 3–4 feet apart. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape.
12. Pittosporum
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 12–15 feet
Pittosporum is a stylish, soft-leaved shrub that grows quickly and handles trimming well. It works well in formal or naturalistic gardens.
How to grow it: Space 3–5 feet apart. Trim regularly to keep the shape and encourage bushiness.
13. Boxwood (Fast-Growing Varieties)
Growth Rate: 1–2 feet per year
Height: 6–8 feet
Perfect for low to mid-height privacy screens, boxwood is ideal for sculpted, tidy hedges. Choose a fast-growing variety like ‘Winter Gem’ or ‘Green Mountain.’
How to grow it: Plant 2–3 feet apart. Prune often to maintain that classic boxy look.
14. Mock Orange (Philadelphus coronarius)
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 10–12 feet
With big, fragrant white flowers that smell like citrus, Mock Orange brings a lovely scent and softness to privacy planting.
How to grow it: Space 3–4 feet apart. Prune after blooming to remove spent wood and shape the plant.
15. American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Growth Rate: 2–3 feet per year
Height: 15–18 feet
This native shrub forms a dense thicket and produces edible nuts. It’s great for wildlife and makes a natural-looking privacy hedge.
How to grow it: Plant 4–6 feet apart. Prune lightly in late winter to encourage new stems and keep the shape balanced.
Clive’s Tips for Hedge Success 🌿
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Start with the soil. Dig in compost before planting to help your shrubs settle in fast.
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Water like you mean it. Deep watering during the first year helps roots grow strong.
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Mulch for the win. A 2–3 inch layer of mulch keeps moisture in and weeds out.
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Feed in spring. A balanced fertilizer will give your hedge a healthy boost.
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Get snippy. Prune regularly—not only for shape but to thicken the hedge and keep it dense.
A well-chosen privacy hedge is more than a screen—it’s a living, growing part of your garden. Whether you go for towering evergreens or flowering favorites, you’ll enjoy more privacy, better views, and plenty of curb appeal in return.
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