9 Hedges for Boundless Privacy and Quick Growth

Posted on 09/09/2025

9 Hedges for Boundless Privacy and Quick Growth

Are you dreaming of a green sanctuary in your backyard? Whether you want to block prying eyes, define property lines, or create a natural barrier, choosing the right hedge plants is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 9 hedges for boundless privacy and quick growth. You'll learn about their unique benefits, care tips, and how to select the best privacy screen plants for your space. Follow along to discover which hedge will transform your garden into a secluded paradise.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Having a lush, green wall around your home isn't just about aesthetics. Fast-growing privacy hedges offer numerous benefits, including:

• Quick privacy solutions for new homes, pools, and gardens.
• Noise reduction, offering a quieter and more relaxing environment.
• Windbreaks that protect sensitive plants and outdoor living areas.
• Habitat for birds and beneficial insects in your garden.
• Increasing property value and curb appeal.

With privacy hedges, you can enjoy natural seclusion and beauty all year round. But not all hedges are created equal. Some grow slowly, some need constant maintenance, while others become invasive. That's why it's important to select hedge plants known for rapid growth and dense foliage.

Top 9 Hedges for Privacy and Fast Growth

Below, explore nine of the best quick-growing hedge options for privacy that deliver both speed and density. We'll highlight each plant's characteristics, best climates, and essential care tips to ensure luscious results.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

For many homeowners, Leyland Cypress stands out as the ultimate fast-growing privacy hedge. Its feathery, evergreen foliage forms a thick barrier year-round. Leyland Cypress may grow up to 3-4 feet per year and can reach mature heights of 60-70 feet if left untrimmed!

• Growth Rate: Very fast (3-4 feet per year)
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Annual trimming keeps them dense and tall
• Best For: Large yards and quick privacy screens

Leyland Cypress is an excellent evergreen hedge, but make sure to plant with enough space as they can get very large. Proper spacing and annual pruning will ensure a tidy and effective privacy wall.

2. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')

The Emerald Green Arborvitae, often called Smaragd, is beloved for its elegant, narrow pyramidal form and lush, bright green color. It thrives in urban landscapes and is a popular hedge for small yards and tight spaces.

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (1-2 feet per year)
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Low; minimal pruning required
• Best For: Neat privacy screens with manageable height

This beautiful, upright cultivar remains dense and compact, topping out at 12-15 feet--making it perfect when you want quick privacy without excessive height.

3. Privet Hedge (Ligustrum spp.)

No list of hedges for privacy is complete without the classic Privet. Also used for topiary, Privets are among the fastest-growing deciduous hedges, filling in quickly to create a leafy wall.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2-3 feet per year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Prune regularly for density and shape
• Best For: Formal hedges, boundaries, and rustic fences

Privets are ideal when seeking a versatile and sturdy hedge. Look for disease-resistant varieties. With regular trimming, you'll enjoy a dense and leafy barrier even in mixed light conditions.

4. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

Bamboo is synonymous with rapid growth and brings an exotic touch to gardens. Only clumping bamboos (like Bambusa or Fargesia species) should be used for landscaping hedges, as the running types can become invasive.

• Growth Rate: Extremely fast--up to 5 feet per year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Minimal; occasional thinning controls size
• Best For: Asian-style gardens, ultra-fast privacy

Bamboo hedges instantly create a tropical, wind-proof screen. Their vertical growth and resilience make them a top privacy solution for many climates, except the coldest regions. Always choose clumping types for manageable, non-invasive growth.

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The Cherry Laurel is an evergreen hedge with glossy, rich green leaves and occasional fragrant white flowers. This plant is known for its tolerance to shade, pollution, and drought.

• Growth Rate: Fast (2 feet per year)
• Sunlight: Sun or shade--very adaptable
• Maintenance: Responds well to severe pruning
• Best For: Shady spots, driveways, and urban gardens

Cherry Laurel is one of the best fast-growing privacy hedges that also provides attractive spring blooms and berries. Its resilience means you can create thick boundaries even in challenging conditions.

6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')

With its stunning red new growth in spring, Photinia 'Red Robin' is both a colorful and effective privacy screen. As it matures, the foliage turns a deep, glossy green.

• Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 feet per year)
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Prune biannually for best results
• Best For: Decorative hedges with vibrant colors

Photinia hedges not only deliver quick coverage but also dazzling visual interest throughout the year. Their striking foliage is a highlight in both formal and informal settings.

7. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Another top choice for quick privacy is the Portuguese Laurel. This evergreen hedge plant features dark green foliage tinged with red stems, offering a sophisticated look with robust growth.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Occasional shaping; low-maintenance overall
• Best For: Windy sites, urban spaces, elegant boundaries

Portuguese Laurel is highly drought-tolerant once established, making it a perfect hedge for low-maintenance gardens. The hedge responds well to pruning and maintains lush density.

8. California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Different from the classic European Privet, the California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is an incredibly robust and fast-growing privacy hedge, popular in a wide range of areas.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Sunlight: Sun or partial shade
• Maintenance: Regular trimming encourages fullness
• Best For: City gardens, tall green screens

California Privet produces dense, semi-evergreen foliage that usually remains on the plant even during mild winters. It creates quick privacy hedges and adapts to many soil types and conditions.

9. Viburnum Tinus (Viburnum tinus)

Viburnum Tinus is a dependable evergreen shrub that forms a compact, attractive hedge. Its winter blooms of pink or white, followed by dark berries, add decorative interest beyond simple privacy.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Sunlight: Sun or part shade
• Maintenance: Trim after flowering to maintain shape
• Best For: Year-round interest, flowering hedges

Viburnum Tinus combines privacy, evergreen structure, and seasonal blooms. It makes an excellent hedge for gardens where wildlife, year-round cover, and ornamental value are desired.

How to Select the Right Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Garden

When choosing among the best hedges for privacy and fast growth, consider these key factors:

• Growth habit: Do you prefer a formal, clipped look or a more natural shape?
• Height & width: Ensure your selection won't outgrow your desired space.
• Evergreen or deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round privacy, while deciduous plants offer seasonal variation.
• Maintenance needs: Some hedges demand frequent pruning, others thrive with minimal care.
• Climate suitability: Check the plant hardiness to make sure it thrives in your region.
• Sunlight and soil: Ensure your hedge choice matches your garden's natural conditions.

Don't forget to plan for long-term growth--what looks manageable as a young plant may become unmanageable in 10 years. Proper spacing is crucial for healthy, dense hedges.

Planting and Maintaining Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

To achieve boundless privacy fast, follow these expert tips:

• Soil preparation: Dig wide trenches and enrich the soil with compost or organic matter.
• Spacing: Research the mature width of your chosen hedge and allow enough room for dense growth.
• Watering: Regular, deep watering is key during the first two years of establishment.
• Mulching: A thick mulch layer helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Pruning: Regularly clip the sides and tops to encourage bushiness and control height.
• Fertilizing: Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer during the growing season for best results.

With proper planting and care, you'll notice rapid, robust growth and lush privacy within a single growing season or two. Remember, a well-maintained hedge is both an attractive feature and a living fence.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Which hedge is the fastest-growing of all?

Bamboo (clumping types) and Leyland Cypress are among the fastest-growing privacy hedges. Both can put on 3-5 feet of growth yearly with proper care.

What are some evergreen hedges for year-round privacy?

Evergreens like Leyland Cypress, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Cherry Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, and Viburnum Tinus all deliver year-round seclusion and color.

Can I grow privacy hedges in containers?

Yes, some hedge plants such as Privet and Emerald Green Arborvitae can be grown successfully in containers on patios or balconies for portable privacy.

How tall should privacy hedges be?

This depends on your needs and local property regulations. Most privacy hedges range from 6 to 20 feet tall, though some species can go much higher if not pruned.

How can I thicken a sparse hedge?

Regular pruning encourages side shoots and bushier growth. Fertilizing and adding a rich organic mulch can also stimulate denser foliage.

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

From Leyland Cypress to Viburnum Tinus, these 9 hedges for boundless privacy and quick growth offer solutions for every garden style and size. Whether you desire immediate privacy, evergreen coverage, or a decorative boundary, there's a fast-growing hedge perfect for you.

Invest in the right plants, nurture them with good care, and you'll soon enjoy a private oasis all your own. Create your dream garden border with these fast-growing hedges and relish the satisfaction of living surrounded by nature's green embrace.

Ready to plant the perfect privacy screen? Choose your favorite variety today and experience the luxury of boundless privacy and swift growth in your landscape!