Fast Growing Shrubs For Privacy – Create A Lush Living Fence
To establish a quick natural screen, choose high-performance species like the Thuja Green Giant, Leyland Cypress, or North Privet. These plants can grow between 3 and 5 feet per year under ideal conditions, providing a dense, green wall in just a few seasons.
For the best results, ensure you select a variety compatible with your USDA Hardiness Zone and provide consistent moisture and balanced fertilization during the first two growing seasons.
Do you feel like your neighbors have a front-row seat to your backyard barbecues? Most homeowners dream of a secluded retreat where they can relax without distractions.
You do not have to wait a decade for a slow-growing hedge to mature or spend thousands on a wooden fence. By choosing the right fast growing shrubs for privacy, you can transform an exposed yard into a secluded oasis in record time.
In this guide, I will share my professional experience to help you select, plant, and maintain a living fence that grows vigorously and stays healthy for years to come.
Selecting the Best Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy
When you are looking for fast growing shrubs for privacy, the first step is matching the plant to your specific landscape needs. Not every fast-grower is suitable for every yard.
You must consider your local climate, the amount of sunlight your yard receives, and the ultimate height you want the screen to reach. A shrub that grows five feet a year is great, but only if you have the space to manage its mature spread.
I always tell my clients to look beyond just the growth rate. You should also consider whether you want evergreen coverage for year-round screening or deciduous plants that offer seasonal flowers and fall interest.
The Evergreen Champions
Evergreens are the gold standard for privacy because they never lose their leaves. The Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is perhaps the most popular choice in North America for this reason.
This hybrid cedar is incredibly resilient to pests and can grow up to 3 or 4 feet per year. It maintains a beautiful conical shape without much pruning, making it a low-maintenance favorite for busy homeowners.
Another top contender is the Leyland Cypress. While it grows exceptionally fast, it requires a bit more space and regular monitoring for fungal issues like Seiridium canker in humid climates.
Deciduous Options for Texture and Color
If you don’t mind losing your privacy screen during the winter months, deciduous shrubs offer a changing palette of colors. The North Privet is a classic choice that grows incredibly fast.
Privets are often used in formal English gardens because they respond so well to shearing. You can keep them as a tight, rectangular wall or let them grow naturally for a more relaxed look.
For a splash of color, consider the Forsythia. While it is technically a flowering shrub, its arching branches grow rapidly and create a dense thicket that provides excellent summer screening.
Top Species for Rapid Results
To help you narrow down your choices, let’s look at the specific characteristics of the top-performing species. Each of these plants has earned its reputation in the landscaping world for reliability.
- Thuja Green Giant: Grows 3-5 feet per year; thrives in Zones 5-8; very deer resistant.
- Leyland Cypress: Grows 3-4 feet per year; thrives in Zones 6-10; provides a soft, feathery texture.
- Cherry Laurel: Grows 2-3 feet per year; thrives in shade; features glossy, broad evergreen leaves.
- American Hazelnut: Grows 2-3 feet per year; provides edible nuts and excellent wildlife habitat.
- Nellie R. Stevens Holly: Grows 2-3 feet per year; features classic holly leaves and bright red berries.
When selecting your plants at the nursery, look for specimens with a strong central leader. Avoid plants that look “leggy” or have roots circling the bottom of the pot, which indicates they are root-bound.
I recommend buying smaller, younger plants if you are on a budget. Because these species grow so quickly, a 3-foot shrub will often catch up to a 6-foot shrub within two seasons, saving you significant money.
Site Preparation and Soil Health
The secret to achieving those “maximum” growth rates is in the soil. You cannot simply stick a shrub in the ground and expect it to explode with growth without the right nutrients.
Start by performing a soil test to check your pH levels. Most privacy shrubs prefer a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 6.0 and 7.0).
If your soil is heavy clay, it will trap water and cause root rot. If it is too sandy, the water will drain away before the roots can drink. Amending the soil is the best way to fix these issues before planting.
Understanding NPK Ratios
When you look at a bag of fertilizer, you will see three numbers, such as 10-10-10. This represents the NPK ratio: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
For fast growth, Nitrogen is your best friend. It fuels the lush, green vegetative growth that creates your privacy screen. However, do not over-fertilize in the first year, as you want the plant to focus on establishing roots first.
Improving Drainage and Aeration
Before planting, I recommend aerating the area if the soil is compacted. Compacted soil prevents oxygen from reaching the roots, which can stunt growth even in the fastest species.
Mix in high-quality organic matter, like compost or aged manure, to improve the soil structure. This provides a slow-release source of nutrients and helps the soil retain the perfect amount of moisture.
Planting for Success: Step-by-Step
Proper planting is the difference between a hedge that thrives and one that struggles for years. Follow these steps to ensure your fast growing shrubs for privacy get the best start possible.
- Call Before You Dig: Always contact your local utility marking service (like 811 in the US) to ensure you won’t hit underground lines.
- Space Correcty: Research the mature width of your shrub. If a shrub grows 8 feet wide, space them 5-6 feet apart for a dense hedge.
- Dig the Hole: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Planting too deep is a common mistake that can suffocate the trunk.
- Set the Shrub: Place the shrub in the hole and ensure it is level. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the surrounding soil line.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with your amended soil, tamping it down gently with your hands to remove air pockets. Water deeply immediately after.
Avoid using your feet to pack down the soil, as this can compress the earth too much and damage the delicate feeder roots. Hand-tamping is much safer for the plant.
If you are planting a long row, use a string line and stakes to ensure your hedge is perfectly straight. A crooked hedge is very difficult to correct once the plants are established.
Maintenance for Maximum Growth Rate
Once your shrubs are in the ground, your job is to keep them happy so they can reach their full potential. Consistency is the key to maintaining fast growing shrubs for privacy.
The first two years are the most critical. During this time, the plants are establishing their root systems. If they experience drought stress now, it can permanently slow their growth rate.
I suggest installing a soaker hose or a drip irrigation system along the base of the hedge. This delivers water directly to the roots and keeps the foliage dry, which prevents many common fungal diseases.
Mulching Done Right
Apply a 2-to-3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded hardwood or pine bark, around the base of your shrubs. Mulch regulates soil temperature and keeps moisture from evaporating.
Be careful to keep the mulch a few inches away from the actual trunk of the shrub. “Volcano mulching,” or piling mulch against the bark, can lead to rot and provide a hiding spot for girdling rodents.
Pruning for Density
It might seem counterintuitive to cut a plant you want to grow tall, but structural pruning is essential. Many fast-growing shrubs can become thin and “leggy” if left alone.
By trimming the tips of the branches in early spring, you encourage the plant to produce more lateral shoots. This results in a much thicker, more effective privacy screen that blocks sightlines completely.
Always use sharp, clean bypass pruners. Dull blades crush the stems rather than cutting them, which leaves the plant vulnerable to infection. Sanitize your tools with rubbing alcohol between plants if you suspect any disease.
Safety and Tool Maintenance
Gardening is a physical activity, and safety should always come first. When maintaining a tall privacy hedge, you will eventually need to use ladders or power tools.
If you are using a hedge trimmer, always wear safety goggles and heavy-duty gloves. Keep the cord (if using a corded model) behind you at all times to avoid accidental cuts.
When working on a ladder, ensure it is on level ground and have a partner nearby to spot you. For very tall hedges, it is often safer to use a pole pruner so you can keep your feet firmly on the ground.
Proper tool storage is also vital. Clean your tools after every use to remove sap and debris. A light coating of oil on metal blades will prevent rust and keep them sliding smoothly for your next project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Fastest Growing Evergreen for Privacy?
The Thuja Green Giant is widely considered the fastest, often growing 3 to 5 feet annually. It is a hardy, disease-resistant choice that works well in many climates.
How Far Apart Should I Plant Shrubs for a Privacy Screen?
This depends on the species, but a general rule is to space them at about 60% to 75% of their mature width. For example, if a shrub grows 10 feet wide, space them 6 to 7 feet apart for a solid wall.
Can I Grow Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy in Containers?
While possible, it is challenging. Fast-growing plants have aggressive root systems that will quickly become pot-bound. You would need very large, well-draining planters and frequent watering.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Plant a Privacy Hedge?
Early spring or early fall are the ideal times. These seasons offer cooler temperatures and more natural rainfall, which helps the plants settle in without the stress of extreme summer heat.
Do Fast-Growing Shrubs Require More Fertilizer?
They don’t necessarily need more, but they do need consistent nutrients. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring is usually sufficient to support their rapid development.
Achieving Your Private Sanctuary
Creating a beautiful, natural boundary for your home is one of the most rewarding landscaping projects you can undertake. By selecting high-quality fast growing shrubs for privacy, you are making a long-term investment in your property’s value and your own peace of mind.
Remember that even the fastest-growing plants require patience and care during their first few seasons. Focus on soil health, consistent watering, and proper pruning to ensure your living fence stays vibrant and strong.
Now is the perfect time to grab your shovel, test your soil, and start planting. With the right approach, you will be enjoying your secluded, green sanctuary sooner than you ever thought possible!
Taylor pairs an engineer's eye with years of hands-on work in soil, lawns and outdoor machinery. He tests ideas in his own garden, keeps tractors and mowers running himself, and speaks to local horticulture groups. Every Garden Aider guide is written to be practical, accurate and safe to follow.
“To bring life alive, you just need to mix some love with the compost, bedding, and gardening machines.”