In this article you’ll find brilliant examples of fast growing evergreen trees, to add quick privacy to your garden. With their speedy growth, luscious foliage and natural screening ability, these trees are perfect for adding the privacy you seek, quickly.
Fastest Growing Evergreen Trees for Privacy
1. Norway Spruce
Scientific name: Picea abies
This fast-growing evergreen is known by most for its use as a Christmas tree. But its usefulness doesn’t stop there – it provides a fantastic natural garden privacy screen, growing up to 180 feet tall.
What’s more, the Norway Spruce can live to the ripe old age of 1000 years; it stands the test of time! This conifer is favoured among many animal species – the leaves provide food for moth larvae, the cones serve as a snack for red squirrels, and the tree itself gives beetles, hoverflies and weevils a place to live.
2. Leyland Cypress
Scientific name: x Cupressocyparis leylandii
Sporting its vibrant green leaves every month of the year, the Leyland Cypress is the perfect choice for a windbreak or natural privacy screen. It needs minimal care as it’s not fussy about soil type or climate.
It’ll reach the grande height of 70 feet (3-4 feet per year) with a base of 20 feet when mature. Plant 8 feet apart and prune to your heart’s content!
3. Eastern White Pine
Scientific name: Pinus strobus
Also called the Weymouth Pine in the UK, this evergreen tree produces white pine leaves and pollen, making it unique. It grows up to 3 feet a year, reaching a tremendous 200 feet tall during its lifetime.
The Eastern White Pine is an ornamental plant frequently seen in parks; however, it’s also ideal for a large back garden.
READ NEXT: Cheap Ways to Block Your Neighbour’s View
4. Japanese Cedar
Scientific name: Cryptomeria japonica
The Japanese Cedar is fast-growing, extending 2-3 feet higher each year. It reaches a maximum of 80 feet tall, but typically you’ll only need it to grow 10 – 12 feet to keep watchful eyes out of your garden.
It’s a popular ornamental in Japan and is actually its national tree. The tree supports a pyramidal or Christmas tree-like shape, growing wide at the bottom and thinner towards the top.
5. Arizona Cypress
Scientific name: Cupressus arizonica
This resilient and adaptable plant can be grown as a tree or hedge; it depends on whether you want to prune it or not! For some peace and quiet from your neighbours, prune the Arizona Cypress back; this will encourage fast growth.
Giving this plant the right conditions will ensure 3 feet worth of growth per year. Avoid the soil staying dry for extended periods; it will slow down growth. But the Arizona Cypress isn’t temperamental – it will survive through drought and excessive heat.
6. Mediterranean Cypress
Scientific name: Cupressus sempervirens
This slim, sophisticated plant grows in tall, upright columns. It’s often chosen as an ornamental for doorways, gates, and even porches.
But the perfect use of the Mediterranean Cypress is as a hedge. And the best part is: it doesn’t need pruning! It holds its shape regardless.
It adds an additional 3 feet of growth every year until it reaches 25 feet tall.
READ NEXT: How to Get Privacy in an Overlooked Garden
7. Blue Point Juniper
Scientific name: Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’
If you’re forgetful and can’t seem to keep the high-maintenance plants alive, opt for the Blue Point Juniper. It can handle both the frosty winter and the searing summer heat.
You don’t have to worry about insect infestation or disease either; it’s highly resistant! Unfortunately, it won’t grow quite as quickly or as tall as other evergreens on this list, only expanding 1 foot a year and maxing out at 12 feet.
However, its beautiful blue berries and blue-green foliage secure its spot on the list!
8. Green Giant Arborvitae
Scientific name: T. plicata x T. standishii
Green Giant Arborvitae is called “giant” for a reason. It grows up to 60 feet tall, with an impressive 3 feet of growth every year. Established plants aren’t bothered by drought and are resistant to many insect species.
The plant’s heavy branches ensure it continues to stand proud even in heavy winds, so it’s a solid choice for a rural garden.
Plant 6 feet apart and watch the dense hedge form. No need to worry about pruning this one – its compact columnar shape keeps the plant looking tidy!
9. Nellie Stevens Holly
Scientific name: Ilex x Nellie R. Stevens
The Nellie Stevens Holly is a nature-lover’s delight. This shrub boasts a pyramidal shape and vibrant clusters of red berries, which attract birds and wildlife in their many.
It grows between 2 and 3 feet every year and is easy to maintain, giving you a large, well-shaped box hedge in no time. Ensure you plant them 5-6 feet apart, as this plant quickly spreads horizontally.
The best thing about Holly is it’s spiky, so you can be sure no one’s getting into your garden. Not without serious injury, anyway!
READ NEXT: Fast Growing Hedge Plants
10. Taylor Juniper
Scientific name: Juniperus virginiana
If tall and columnar is your thing, the Taylor Juniper is calling out to you! This hybrid juniper reaches a lofty height of 30 feet but only spreads 3-5 feet at the base. Its blue-green leaves are a sight to behold.
Plant these tidy plants 3 feet apart, and you’ll quickly benefit from a privacy screen. Treat them right, and they’ll grow up to 3 feet per year! All you need to do is place them in full sun.
11. Murray Cypress
Scientific name: Cupressocyparis x leylandi ‘Murray’
Murray Cypress is a quicker-growing and hardier relative of the Leyland Cypress. This species is less susceptible to fungus and shows greater disease resistance. It can grow in far poorer soils; it doesn’t mind nutrient-lacking ground!
Plant your Murray Cypress plants 5 feet apart and watch them extend 4 feet towards the sky every single year! Enjoy privacy from your nosey neighbours all year round and protection from the wind for years to come!
Murray Cypress can be left to grow wild, sporting a tousled look, or neatly trimmed for a more kempt appearance.
READ NEXT: The Best Tall Plants for Screening
12. Fishpole Bamboo
Scientific name: Phyllostachys aurea
For a fast-growing evergreen tree with an oriental twist, Fishpole Bamboo is the one for you. This plant isn’t technically classed as a tree; it actually belongs to the grass family.
Originating from China, you’ll find this grass an ideal choice for a privacy hedge. It has ornamental prowess and is loved for the knotty canes that give it a tortoiseshell-like look.
Just keep Fishpole Bamboo plants 2 feet apart, and watch your privacy screen grow before your very eyes! But be wary; the roots are hard to contain once they get going!
More Helpful Resources To Create Garden Privacy
These fast growing evergreens above are a great way to add more privacy to your outdoor space.
But we’re not done there!
Next, you’re definitely going to want to check out our article on the Best Garden Screening Ideas. It’s packed with lots of inspiration for keeping your garden private. Check it out now!
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