Nine hedges that promise quick privacy for outdoor serenity

Posted on 30/08/2025

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Nine Hedges That Promise Quick Privacy for Outdoor Serenity

Creating a secluded retreat in your backyard isn't just about building fences or installing screens. Sometimes, the best solution is breathing, living, and green. Privacy hedges offer not only quick privacy but also natural beauty, shade, habitat for wildlife, and year-round interest. But which hedging plants can grow fast enough to provide the outdoor serenity you crave--without the wait? In this comprehensive guide, we spotlight nine fast-growing hedge varieties that deliver lush, dense barriers in a hurry, transforming your garden into a tranquil haven.

Why Choose Living Privacy Screens?

There's something special about a privacy hedge that no wall or fence can match. These green borders offer:

• All-natural beauty: Lush foliage brings texture, color, and seasonal change.
• Eco-friendliness: Hedges support birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects.
• Sound and wind reduction: Thick hedges absorb noise and deflect breezes.
• Environmental benefits: Plants improve air quality and provide oxygen.
• Low maintenance screens: Many fast-growing species require minimal pruning.

If you've ever wished for quick-growing hedges for privacy that let you unwind away from prying eyes, this list is for you!

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

Often topping the charts for fastest growing hedge, the Leyland Cypress is the ultimate privacy barrier for large or suburban properties. Its rapid growth--up to 3 feet per year--means you'll have a soft green wall in no time.

• Growth rate: Fast, up to 3 feet per year
• Height: Can reach 40-60 feet if left untrimmed
• Best for: Large yards, tall boundaries, quick privacy solutions

Tip: Plant Leyland Cypress at least 6-10 feet apart for a dense, healthy hedge. Regular trimming keeps it neat and encourages thick growth.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')

If you want a fast-growing privacy plant with lush, dense texture, consider Green Giant Arborvitae. These evergreens are famous for their beautiful conical shape and formidable screening ability.

• Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
• Height: 30-50 feet at maturity
• Best for: Disease resistance, informal hedging, adaptable to various soils

Tip: Arborvitae thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant once established. Space them 5-6 feet apart for the quickest privacy screen.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet is a classic choice when you need an easy-to-grow privacy hedge. It's beloved for its rapid growth, dense foliage, and ability to withstand frequent pruning--even into formal shapes.

• Growth rate: Up to 2-3 feet per year
• Height: 8-15 feet, depending on variety
• Best for: Mid-sized borders, topiary, formal or informal screens

Note: Privet can be semi-evergreen or deciduous depending on your climate; check local guidelines as some species may be invasive in certain areas.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

With its glossy evergreen leaves and robust growth, Cherry Laurel is one of the best hedges for quick privacy. It handles pruning, urban conditions, and shade better than most.

• Growth rate: 2 feet per year
• Height: Up to 20 feet
• Best for: Shaded sites, urban gardens, formal hedges

Pro tip: Cherry Laurel tolerates salt and pollution, making it ideal for city or seaside gardens. Its spring flowers attract pollinators, too!

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp. and Bambusa spp.)

For a truly unique privacy hedge plant, turn to bamboo. Clumping bamboo varieties (not running types) offer vertical growth, movement, and dense screening in record time.

• Growth rate: Up to 3-5 feet per year
• Height: 10-30 feet depending on cultivar
• Best for: Tropical or modern gardens, quick privacy on patios or along fences

Important: Choose clumping bamboos to avoid invasive spreading. Bamboo hedges respond well to regular thinning and pruning for shape.

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

For those who want both privacy and a splash of color, Photinia is a must. Its new leaves emerge vibrant red before maturing to glossy green, creating a lively, eye-catching screen.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Height: 10-15 feet
• Best for: Year-round privacy with seasonal interest

Tip: Regular trimming after its flush of red growth encourages more color and bushiness.

7. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)

Not all boxwoods are slow! Newer varieties like 'Green Mountain' or 'Winter Gem' are surprisingly quick-growing for privacy hedges. They offer classic, all-season style for small to mid-sized gardens.

• Growth rate: Up to 1 foot per year
• Height: 3-6 feet (taller with time)
• Best for: Low borders, formal hedging, small gardens

Hint: Boxwood is evergreen, tolerant of heavy pruning, and resistant to deer. Great for neat lines and geometric shapes.

8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Wax Myrtle's rapid growth and aromatic, glossy foliage make it an excellent choice for fast privacy screens, especially in warm regions. Birds adore its blue berries, and it requires little care.

• Growth rate: 2-5 feet per year
• Height: Up to 20 feet
• Best for: Coastal gardens, wet soils, wildlife-friendly landscapes

Interesting fact: Wax myrtle fixes nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility for nearby plants. It's tolerant of salt and wind, too.

9. Viburnum (Viburnum tinus and Viburnum odoratissimum)

Viburnum hedges offer fast growth along with pretty spring flowers and occasional berries. Viburnum tinus and Viburnum odoratissimum in particular, rapidly create dense, semi-evergreen barriers.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: Up to 10-15 feet
• Best for: Wildlife gardens, mild climates, privacy with seasonal charm

Tip: Prune immediately after flowering for best results. Viburnum tolerate a range of soils and exposures.

How to Plant Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges for Optimal Results

Choosing the right species is only half the battle. To ensure your hedge delivers quick privacy and lasting serenity, follow these best practices:

1. Proper Spacing and Layout

• Know the mature width of your chosen hedge plant, and space accordingly.
• Stagger rows for a thicker, noise-absorbing visual barrier.
• Tip: Measure before planting--crowded plants compete for light and nutrients.

2. Soil and Site Preparation

• Amend soil with compost for fertility and drainage.
• Check for sunlight, wind exposure, and water availability.
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Watering and Early Care

• Water regularly the first 1-2 years to help roots establish.
• Add slow-release fertilizer in spring for healthy, speedy growth.
• Watch for pests and diseases, and act promptly if needed.

4. Pruning for Density

• Tip or lightly prune from the top early to encourage lateral (sideways) growth.
• Shape your hedge regularly for the first few seasons--this ensures a lush, impenetrable screen.
• Don't cut back too hard all at once; gradual shaping is best for health.

5. Ongoing Maintenance

• Once established, most quick-growing hedges need only annual or biennial trimming.
• Top up mulch each year and fertilize as needed.
• Monitor for overgrowth--fast species can reach impressive heights if unchecked!

Choosing the Perfect Hedge for Your Space

Every garden is unique, and the best fast privacy hedge for one space might not work for another. Consider:

• Climate and hardiness zone
• Soil moisture and fertility
• Available sunlight
• Desired hedge height and width
• Ongoing maintenance commitments

For small urban gardens, Boxwood or Photinia might be ideal; for large or rural properties, Leyland Cypress or Green Giant Arborvitae are unbeatable. Mixing species can also give you layered interest--try an outer row of fast-growers with inner layers of flowers or fruiting shrubs.

Frequently Asked Questions on Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Q: How fast can I expect these hedges to deliver complete privacy?

Most varieties on this list can form a solid hedge in 2-4 years with proper planting and care. Some, like Leyland Cypress or Bamboo, may deliver useful screening even sooner under optimal conditions.

Q: Can these quick privacy hedges be grown in containers?

Several species--including Bamboo, Boxwood, and Privet--adapt well to large containers, ideal for patios or renters. Remember to water and feed container plants more often, and choose dwarf or compact cultivars when possible.

Q: Are these plants deer-resistant?

If deer are a concern, lean toward Boxwood, Green Giant Arborvitae, or Wax Myrtle, which are all deer-resistant privacy plants. Always research local wildlife habits before making your selection.

Q: Do privacy hedges need to be evergreen?

Evergreens offer year-round privacy, but deciduous screens (like some Privet or Viburnum) provide lush barriers during the growing season and can be ideal for seasonal settings or gardens with winter sun requirements.

Conclusion: Create Your Outdoor Sanctuary--Fast!

There's no need to wait years for a private backyard oasis. From Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae to Bamboo and Viburnum, these nine quick-growing hedges stand ready to shield your space and transform it into a lush, serene getaway.

With a bit of planning, proper planting, and early care, your outdoor serenity can be closer than you think. Start your living privacy screen this season--and soon enjoy the peace, beauty, and relaxation only a garden surrounded by nature can provide.

Ready to plant? Explore your local garden center or ask a landscaper about the best quick privacy hedges for your region, and take the first step toward a more tranquil, private outdoor living space.