Establish a Private Oasis with Our 9 Fast-growing Hedges
Posted on 19/05/2025
Establish a Private Oasis with Our 9 Fast-growing Hedges
Creating a sense of privacy in your outdoor space doesn't have to take years. Fast-growing hedges offer a natural, attractive, and efficient way to form lush barriers that improve privacy, reduce noise, and even increase property value. Whether you want to block unsightly views, deter intruders, or simply build your own green sanctuary, selecting the right hedges is key. In this comprehensive guide, discover nine of the best fast-growing hedges that can quickly transform your landscape into a private oasis.
Why Choose Fast-growing Hedges for Your Garden?
Fast-growing privacy hedges not only provide seclusion but also enrich your garden's aesthetics and local ecosystem. Here's why more homeowners are opting for these living fences:
- Quick results: Enjoy dense, tall greenery in just a few seasons.
- Low maintenance: Many varieties thrive with minimal care.
- Environmental benefits: Improve air quality, offer habitat for wildlife, and reduce noise pollution.
- Versatile design: Shape hedges to your style, from formal to wild and natural.
Factors to Consider Before Planting Fast-growing Hedges
Before planting, consider the following to ensure your fast-growing privacy hedges thrive:
- Sun exposure: Check whether your chosen plants prefer full sun or shade.
- Soil type: Ensure your soil is well-drained and appropriately fertile.
- Climate suitability: Pick varieties that flourish in your USDA hardiness zone.
- Maintenance needs: Decide how much pruning and watering you can commit to.
- Desired height and spread: Some fast-growing hedges can become quite large!
Our Top 9 Fast-growing Hedges for a Luxurious Private Oasis
Let's dive into the top picks and find the ideal hedge plants for your green sanctuary.
1. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Privet hedges are a classic choice for quick-growing privacy screens. They can add dignity and formality to any garden with their dense foliage and tolerance for regular clipping.
- Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year.
- Height: 6 - 15 feet, depending on the variety.
- Best for: Formal, tidy hedges; urban gardens.
- Bonus: Some species produce fragrant flowers and attractive berries.
Tip: For a thick and formal appearance, plant privet 12-18 inches apart and prune regularly.
2. English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
When you need an evergreen privacy screen that's both lush and hearty, English laurel is an ideal solution. With glossy, broad leaves, it creates a solid wall of green all year round.
- Growth Rate: 2 to 3 feet per year.
- Height: 10 - 18 feet at maturity.
- Best for: Large properties; noise barriers.
Care note: This hedge tolerates pruning, which helps keep it manageable and dense.
3. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)
For those seeking nearly instant privacy, Leyland cypress is a go-to choice. Its rapid vertical growth makes it one of the fastest growing hedges available.
- Growth Rate: Up to 4 feet per year.
- Height: 30 - 50 feet at full maturity, but easily kept shorter with pruning.
- Best for: Large spaces; tall privacy screens.
Tip: Space leyland cypress 4-8 feet apart for a continuous hedge. Regular pruning helps avoid legginess.
4. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis and Thuja plicata)
Arborvitae hedges offer year-round privacy with a refined appearance and soft, coniferous needles. Varieties like 'Green Giant' are especially known for their fast, upright growth.
- Growth Rate: 3 - 5 feet per year for 'Green Giant'.
- Height: 10 - 40 feet, depending on the species.
- Best for: Windbreaks; evergreen screens.
Note: Arborvitae thrives in both urban and suburban settings, tolerating pollution and various soils.
5. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Vivid red stems in winter make red twig dogwood hedges a stunning, multi-season choice. Fast to establish, they form a beautiful, dense screen that supports local wildlife.
- Growth Rate: 2 - 3 feet per year.
- Height: 6 - 10 feet.
- Best for: Naturalistic and wildlife gardens.
- Bonus: Spring flowers and berries attract pollinators and birds.
Winter interest: Red twig dogwoods offer striking color when other plants are dormant.
6. Pyracantha (Firethorn)
With its fiery berries and thorny branches, pyracantha is not only a robust privacy hedge but also a natural deterrent for intruders.
- Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year.
- Height: 6 - 12 feet.
- Best for: Security hedges; boundaries where wildlife is desired.
- Bonus: Berries feed birds from fall through winter.
Safety tip: The thorns are sharp, so plant away from pathways or play areas.
7. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)
Beloved for its vibrant red new growth, photinia stands out among fast-growing privacy plants. It delivers both color and quick coverage.
- Growth Rate: 2 - 3 feet per year.
- Height: 10 - 15 feet.
- Best for: Decorative, colorful screens; mild climates.
Design tip: Use regular pruning to maintain the dazzling red hues and prevent legginess.
8. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)
Modern and exotic, clumping bamboo is an ideal fast-growing option for instant privacy--and it won't take over the yard like its running cousins.
- Growth Rate: 2 - 4 feet per year (some varieties even faster).
- Height: 8 - 30 feet, depending on species.
- Best for: Tropical themes, urban gardens, unique screens.
- Bonus: Graceful movement and sound in the wind.
Note: Always select non-invasive, clumping varieties and monitor growth to avoid spreading.
9. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Schipkaensis')
For shaded areas and narrow spaces, Cherry laurel 'Schipkaensis' is an adaptable, reliable performer. Its dense and glossy foliage ensures year-round privacy.
- Growth Rate: 1 - 2 feet per year.
- Height: 10 - 15 feet.
- Best for: Shady boundaries, urban gardens, quick screens.
Tip: This hedge tolerates pruning and is excellent for shaping.
How to Plant and Care for Your Fast-growing Hedges
To truly establish a private oasis with fast-growing hedges, proper planting and ongoing care are vital. Follow these key steps to give your new living fence the best start:
- Site Preparation: Remove weeds, loosen soil, and enrich with organic compost.
- Proper Spacing: Check the mature size of your plants and space them accordingly for fullness.
- Watering: Keep young hedges consistently moist until well-established; then water as needed based on species.
- Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Feeding: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring to encourage strong growth.
- Pruning: Regularly trim to shape and thicken the hedge. Early, gentle pruning is best for young plants.
- Monitoring: Watch for pests or diseases, and address problems early for rapid recovery.
Design Tips for the Perfect Private Oasis
- Mix heights and species: Use a combination of fast-growing hedges with perennials and flowering shrubs for a layered effect.
- Add garden features: Incorporate benches, water elements, or pergolas amid your hedges for a cozy retreat.
- Consider wildlife: Choose berry-producing or flowering varieties to attract birds and pollinators.
- Maintain pathways: Leave room for paths and access points for easy maintenance and peaceful strolls.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-growing Hedges
How long do fast-growing hedges take to form a privacy screen?
Answer: With favorable conditions, your fast-growing privacy hedges can establish significant coverage in as little as 1-3 years, depending on the variety and your maintenance regime.
Which hedges are best for small spaces?
Opt for compact species like Cherry laurel or clumping bamboo. These can be trimmed to size without overgrowing their space.
Are there fast-growing hedges that stay evergreen?
Absolutely. English laurel, arborvitae, clumping bamboo, and photinia are examples of evergreen fast-growing hedges that keep their leaves year-round for continuous privacy.
Can I grow fast-growing hedges from cuttings?
Many hedge species can be started from cuttings, especially privet, photinia, and laurel. This method is cost-effective but takes a bit more patience initially.
What's the fastest growing hedge in temperate climates?
Leyland cypress and Green Giant arborvitae are the champions for speed in most temperate regions, often reaching up to 3-5 feet of new height each year.
Conclusion: Your Private Oasis Awaits
By choosing the right fast-growing hedges for privacy, you're not just adding a natural fence -- you're crafting a lush retreat for relaxation, recreation, and reflection. Whether you prefer classic greenery, colorful foliage, or something boldly unique, there's a fast-growing hedge to fit your vision and quickly establish the privacy you crave.
Ready to transform your space? Start planning your hedge layout today and enjoy the ultimate in beauty, seclusion, and tranquility -- right in your own private oasis.
