Top 9 Fast-growing Hedges to Enhance Your Backyard Privacy

Posted on 27/08/2025

Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges to Enhance Your Backyard Privacy

Looking to transform your backyard into a secluded sanctuary? Planting fast-growing hedges for privacy is a smart and attractive way to create a natural barrier, block unwanted views, and muffle noise. Whether you desire lush greenery or year-round privacy, there's a privacy hedge plant tailored to your needs. In this in-depth guide, we'll explore the top 9 fast-growing hedges to enhance backyard privacy, their unique benefits, and essential care tips to help you achieve that private retreat you've always dreamed of.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

Hedges that grow quickly offer homeowners immediate solutions for creating boundaries, improving visual appeal, and enhancing urban garden security. Unlike traditional fencing, privacy hedge plants evolve into living walls that soften landscapes and increase property value. Their dense foliage can dramatically reduce road noise, wind, and dust, while fostering habitat for wildlife.

Fast-growing privacy hedges are particularly ideal when you seek privacy in the shortest possible time. Their speed means your backyard can become private in just a few seasons. Moreover, these living privacy screen plants purify the air and enrich biodiversity, making them eco-friendly solutions for modern gardens.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Privacy Hedge

Before choosing the perfect hedge for backyard privacy, examine the following important factors:

• Growth Rate: For instant privacy, select privacy shrubs that grow at least 1-2 feet per year.
• Plant Height: Consider how tall you need your privacy hedge. Some fast-growing shrubs reach 12 feet or more!
• Maintenance: Are you ready for regular pruning, or do you prefer low-maintenance options?
• Climate and Soil: Choose privacy hedges suited to your climate zone and specific landscaping conditions (sun, shade, moisture, soil type).
• Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Evergreens offer year-round privacy, while deciduous plants shed leaves in winter.
• Aesthetic Preferences: Do you want bright flowers, glossy leaves, fragrant blooms, or bold textures?

That said, let's delve into the top 9 fastest-growing hedges for ensuring your backyard is both private and enchanting.

Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Backyard Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress ((Cupressocyparis leylandii))

The Leyland Cypress is the undisputed champion among quick-growing privacy hedges. Renowned for its rapid growth--up to 3-4 feet per year--this evergreen privacy hedge can reach a stately height of 60 to 70 feet over time. Leyland Cypress features feathery, deep green foliage that forms a dense, attractive screen ideal for blocking out nosy neighbors and road noise.

• Growth rate: Extremely fast (3-4 feet/year)
• Best for: Tall, imposing privacy hedges
• Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; regular trimming ensures tidy shape

Leyland Cypress is an excellent choice for those seeking a lush and consistent privacy screen all year round.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

If you crave hardy, low-maintenance, and vigorous privacy hedges, Green Giant Arborvitae is a top pick. This pyramidal evergreen can soar to 30-50 feet, thriving in various climates. It tolerates pests and disease well, making it one of the most popular tall hedges for privacy landscaping in both suburban and rural settings.

• Growth rate: 3 feet/year
• Best for: Windbreaks, borders, and year-round privacy
• Care: Minimal; just plant in full sun to partial shade

Bonus: Its aromatic, finely textured foliage is deer resistant--ideal for protection in deer-prone areas!

3. Privet (Ligustrum species)

Among the most beloved fast-growing hedge plants, privet comes in several varieties--including Ligustrum ovalifolium (California privet) and Ligustrum vulgare (Common privet). Privet hedges are famed for their dense, tidy appearance, growing 2-3 feet annually. Their small, glossy leaves and fragrant spring flowers make them a tasteful addition to elegant gardens.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet/year
• Best for: Formal, crisp hedges; works well in both sun and partial shade
• Care: Regular trimming encourages dense growth and optimal shape

Privet's adaptive nature means it can thrive in different soils and urban environments, making it a true all-rounder for privacy planting.

4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Looking for a lush, glossy hedge plant for privacy? The Cherry Laurel is an evergreen favorite, boasting thick, shiny leaves and creamy-white spring flowers. Reaching 20 feet or more, it grows quickly--sometimes more than 2 feet per year--and responds well to regular pruning, making it perfect for both tall and low privacy screens.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet/year
• Best for: Broadleaf evergreen screens, tolerant of shade
• Care: Easily pruned; adapts to diverse soils

Tip: Cherry Laurels are highly tolerant of pollution, making them prime candidates for urban gardens seeking fast privacy.

5. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

For a touch of the exotic and a super-fast growing privacy hedge, consider non-invasive clumping bamboo, such as Bambusa multiplex or Fargesia species. Clumping bamboo forms tight clusters instead of spreading aggressively. It offers quick results, with new shoots sprouting every spring and summer.

• Growth rate: Up to 5 feet/year in ideal conditions
• Best for: Modern, exotic, or tropical garden screens
• Care: Plant in full sun to partial shade; water regularly during establishment

Important: Always select clumping varieties to avoid uncontrolled spreading. Bamboo's feathery foliage and swaying canes deliver year-round privacy with minimal fuss.

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

If you want to blend privacy with color, the Photinia 'Red Robin' is an excellent choice among ornamental privacy hedges. It stuns with its young, brilliant red foliage, maturing to a rich, glossy green. This evergreen privacy plant grows fast--with up to 2 feet of growth annually--and forms a dense, manageable hedge.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Best for: Colorful, contemporary hedges; well-drained soils in sun or partial shade
• Care: Prune after new flushes of red growth to keep color vibrant and hedge bushy

Photinia offers seasonal interest while providing an excellent visual block for backyard privacy.

7. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

The Eastern Red Cedar is a North American native known for its robust, fast growth and evergreen privacy screening properties. Tolerant to wind, drought, and poor soils, this species can quickly reach 40 feet or more. Its dense, aromatic needles serve as a wildlife haven and a striking vertical accent.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Best for: Wildlife-friendly privacy edges, windbreaks, and noise reduction
• Care: Minimal attention required; thrives in various soils and climatic extremes

Eastern Red Cedar's columnar form and resilience make it a classic, low-maintenance choice for robust backyard privacy.
Bonus: Its blue berries attract songbirds!

8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

For Southern and coastal landscapes, Wax Myrtle is a favorite privacy shrub, thanks to its aromatic, evergreen foliage and remarkable ability to thrive in poor, sandy soils. Growing up to 3 feet per year, this tough native provides fast, fragrant privacy screens. Its narrow leaves and olive-colored berries add subtle year-round charm.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet/year
• Best for: Coastal, wet, and sandy landscapes; informal screening
• Care: Easygoing; tolerates drought and frequent pruning

Wax Myrtle is also prized for its resistance to pests and salt spray, making it a winner for seaside gardens.

9. Ligustrum Japonicum (Japanese Privet)

A versatile, fast-growing privacy plant with glossy, broad leaves, Ligustrum Japonicum is ideal for homeowners who want a sturdy, year-round living fence. Growing up to 2 feet per year, this shrub forms a thick hedge topped by small clusters of white, fragrant flowers in spring and black berries in fall.

• Growth rate: Up to 2 feet/year
• Best for: Dense, formal borders; urban gardens
• Care: Regular trimming to maintain shape and promote bushiness

Ligustrum Japonicum is a go-to for controlled, fast results whether you want a tall barrier or an ornamental boundary.

Care and Maintenance Tips for Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Achieving a thriving and attractive backyard privacy hedge requires some routine attention. Here are pro tips for keeping your living barrier lush and healthy:

• Water regularly: Newly planted hedges need consistent moisture, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch base: Add organic mulch around roots to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and insulate roots from extreme temperatures.
• Feed annually: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to encourage robust growth.
• Prune as needed: Regular pruning keeps hedges dense and manageable, and encourages branching for better screening.
• Check for pests/disease: Monitor foliage for signs of stress, and respond promptly to any infestations.
• Space plants properly: Follow recommended spacing at planting time to avoid crowding and ensure air flow.

Each hedge species has its own preferred methods of care, so always consult the planting instructions or local garden experts for optimal results.

Design Ideas to Maximize Backyard Privacy with Hedges

Maximizing your backyard's privacy is not just about planting the right shrub; it's about thoughtful landscape design. Here are some creative concepts to make your privacy hedges both functional and beautiful:

• Layered effect: Combine tall hedges with shorter, flowering shrubs for a tiered privacy effect.
• Curved lines: Plant hedges along gentle curves rather than rigid straight lines for a more organic, inviting look.
• Accent with evergreens: Mix deciduous and evergreen hedges for year-round coverage and visual intrigue.
• Integrate with hardscaping: Complement living screens with stone walls, pergolas, or trellises for extra privacy and style.
• Add lighting: Subtle uplighting or string lights can highlight hedge texture while providing ambiance after dark.

When well-planned, privacy hedges become the backbone of backyard relaxation and entertainment zones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

• How fast do privacy hedges really grow?
  Growth rates vary; some, like Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae, shoot up 3-4 feet per year, while others may grow 1-2 feet annually depending on climate and care.
• How long does it take to establish a privacy hedge?
  With fast-growing species, you can expect substantial privacy within 2-3 years under optimal conditions.
• Can privacy hedges be grown in pots?
  Dwarf and slow-growing species (like boxwood or dwarf bamboo) suit container growing; most fast-growing types need open ground for best results.
• Are privacy hedges pet and child friendly?
  Always check plant toxicity before choosing (e.g., Cherry Laurel is toxic if ingested; Bamboo and Arborvitae are generally safe).

Conclusion: Grow Your Ideal Backyard Privacy with the Best Hedges

By selecting fast-growing hedges for backyard privacy, you'll enjoy a thriving, natural fence that matures quickly and looks beautiful all year long. Whether you prefer the classic appeal of Leyland Cypress, the color pop of Photinia 'Red Robin', or the toughness of Wax Myrtle, there's an option to suit every taste and garden style.

Remember: For a lush, healthy, and effective living privacy screen, invest in healthy plants, plant at the right spacing, water regularly, and maintain with light pruning. In no time, you'll unlock the beauty, tranquility, and security that only green, thriving hedges can provide!

Ready to cultivate your backyard sanctuary? Choose the best privacy hedges and start planting for the outdoor escape you deserve.