Achieve Privacy Fast with These 9 Hedges

Posted on 22/09/2025

Achieve Privacy Fast with These 9 Hedges

Privacy is a critical aspect of maintaining comfort and security in your own backyard. Whether you're hoping to enjoy some peaceful solitude, shield your property from prying eyes, or simply beautify your landscape, hedges are a time-tested and attractive solution. But not all hedges are created equal--some provide privacy screens rapidly, while others take years to fill in. If you're hoping to achieve privacy fast, discover the best options with our comprehensive guide to the 9 fastest-growing privacy hedges for your garden.

Why Choose Hedges for Privacy?

Fences may be the traditional strategy, but living privacy screens offer numerous benefits:

• Natural beauty and greenery all year round
• Enhanced noise reduction compared to hard surfaces
• Improved air quality and habitat for birds and pollinators
• Increased property value and curb appeal
• Flexible height and width to suit your specific privacy needs

By planting fast-growing hedges, you don't have to wait years for your investment to pay off. The following options will help you achieve privacy in a fraction of the time compared to low-growing or slow-to-mature shrubs.

The 9 Best Fast-Growing Hedges for Quick Privacy

Let's explore the top choices that can provide you with a lush, green barrier in as little as one to three growing seasons:

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Leyland Cypress sets the standard for fast privacy screens in many regions. Known for its rapid growth of up to 3 feet per year, this evergreen is perfect for creating a tall, dense barrier in the shortest time possible.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-50 feet
• Sunlight: Full sun to light shade
• Features: Dense, feathery foliage; hardy and wind-resistant

*Ideal for large properties, rural areas, and locations seeking a towering privacy wall.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

Another star for those looking to achieve backyard privacy quickly, the Green Giant Arborvitae is favored for its robust hardiness and attractive, conical shape. It creates a classic, formal hedge and can gain up to 3 feet per year in optimal conditions.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 30-40 feet
• Sunlight: Prefers full sun
• Features: Soft, fragrant foliage; resistant to many pests and diseases

*Suitable for both urban and rural properties; maintains a tidy appearance with minimal pruning.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges are an old favorite for instant privacy in traditional and cottage-style gardens. With a growth rate of around 2 feet per year, privets fill in quickly and can be easily shaped to any desired height or width.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 6-15 feet
• Sunlight: Performs well in sun or partial shade
• Features: Dense leaves, white flowers in summer, drought tolerant

*Great option for manicured hedges; responds very well to trimming.

4. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

Bamboo is a modern favorite for those wanting to achieve fast privacy screens with a unique look. While "running" bamboo can be invasive, clumping types like Bambusa multiplex grow rapidly without spreading aggressively.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-30 feet, depending on variety
• Sunlight: Full to partial sun
• Features: Modern appearance, evergreen, excellent for narrow spaces

*Ideal for contemporary landscapes or urban gardens needing tall, narrow privacy solutions.

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The lush, glossy leaves of Cherry Laurel not only provide excellent privacy, but their quick growth--sometimes up to 2 feet per year--means you won't be waiting long for a thick green wall.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-18 feet
• Sunlight: Tolerates shade well
• Features: Dense evergreen foliage, fragrant spring flowers

*Fantastic for shaded boundaries or privacy next to buildings; also resists deer browsing.

6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

For a hedge with visual impact and privacy, Photinia offers the best of both worlds. Its young red foliage and fast growth--1-2 feet annually--make it a favorite for colorful privacy screens.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-15 feet
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
• Features: Red-tipped new leaves, white spring flowers, evergreen

*Perfect for mixed hedges or providing a splash of seasonal interest.

7. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

If you seek a formal and dense privacy hedge that grows quickly, Portuguese Laurel is a top contender. Flexible in shape and highly resilient, this laurel can reach up to 2 feet per year in growth.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 10-20 feet
• Sunlight: Adapts to both sun and shade
• Features: Dark glossy foliage, white flowers, tough and wind-resistant

*Outstanding for windy sites or formal gardens where neatness is a priority.

8. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

For those wanting to achieve privacy swiftly with a classic, evergreen look, Boxwood is hard to beat. While not the absolute fastest grower, newer hybrid varieties can provide results much quicker than traditional types.

• Growth Rate: 1 foot per year (hybrids up to 1.5 feet)
• Mature Height: 3-8 feet
• Sunlight: Full sun to shade
• Features: Dense, compact, readily shaped, pest-resistant hybrids available

*Excellent for formal borders and privacy near patios or walkways.

9. Hicks Yew (Taxus x media 'Hicksii')

Hicks Yew is gaining popularity as a robust, fast-acting privacy hedge for shaded or difficult sites. Its upright form and ability to withstand severe pruning make it a versatile fast privacy plant.

• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
• Mature Height: 8-12 feet
• Sunlight: Thrives in shade to sun
• Features: Soft needles, berry-like fruit, tolerant of tough urban conditions

*A standout for narrow side yards or privacy where conditions are less than ideal.

How to Maximize the Speed and Density of Your Privacy Hedges

Choosing a fast-growing species is important, but achieving privacy fast also depends on planting and care. Use these expert tips to ensure thick, rapid growth:

• Start with the largest plants your budget allows: Bigger plants provide an instant green screen and faster coverage.
• Space plants closely: This encourages them to grow together more quickly. Consult specific spacing recommendations by species.
• Water regularly during establishment: Deep, consistent moisture in the first year is crucial for root growth.
• Feed with a balanced fertilizer: Nutrition boosts both speed and density.
• Mulch to retain soil moisture: Mulching discourages weeds and helps roots stay cool and moist.
• Prune lightly to encourage bushiness: Trimming the top tips when young causes hedges to branch out for a lush, dense look.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How fast will my hedge grow?

The quickest hedges can grow up to 2-3 feet per year, but growth depends on variety, soil, sunlight, and care. Some hedges fill in within 2 years, while others may require 3-5 years for full privacy.

Which fast privacy plants are best for small gardens?

Bamboo (clumping), Hicks Yew, and Boxwood are excellent choices for tighter spaces as they can be kept narrow yet tall enough for privacy.

Are fast-growing hedges invasive?

Some, like traditional running bamboo or certain Privet species, can spread aggressively. Opt for clumping bamboos or varieties like Photinia and Arborvitae to avoid invasiveness. Always check the species' reputation for your region.

What hedges work well in shade?

Hicks Yew, Cherry Laurel, and Portuguese Laurel all perform admirably in partial to full shade, making them excellent privacy shrubs for north or east-facing boundaries.

Key Takeaways: Quick-Privacy Hedges for Your Backyard

• Fast-growing hedges are a superior choice when you want privacy and greenery without years of waiting.
• Consider your region, available sunlight, and desired height when choosing the right option for you.
• Proper care--including irrigation, feeding, and early pruning--can accelerate the speed at which you achieve privacy in your landscape.
• Always check for invasive potential before planting, especially with bamboo or privet species.
• Mix and match different types for both beauty and privacy, or use a single species for a more uniform look.

With these 9 fast-growing hedges, you can achieve instant privacy, wind protection, and visual beauty in your outdoor living space. Whether your style is modern, classic, or somewhere in between, these proven varieties offer solutions for every garden and homeowner. Don't wait years for seclusion--plant today, and enjoy your private paradise tomorrow!