Nine rapid-growth hedges that create instant backyard privacy

Posted on 19/09/2025

Nine Rapid-Growth Hedges That Create Instant Backyard Privacy

When you're seeking immediate privacy and lush greenery for your outdoor space, fast-growing privacy hedges are the perfect solution. Many homeowners want a green barrier that not only provides seclusion from neighbors or busy streets but also brings year-round beauty to their landscape. In this guide, we'll explore nine rapid-growth hedges that create instant backyard privacy, ensuring you find the perfect option for your climate, style, and screening needs.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

Whether you've moved into a new neighborhood or wish to block an unattractive view, rapid-growth hedges offer a practical, eco-friendly alternative to traditional fences. These living screens:

• Provide instant privacy and windbreaks
• Absorb noise and reduce pollution
• Offer habitat for birds and garden wildlife
• Enhance the visual appeal of your backyard
• Can be pruned to maintain desired height and shape

Let's dive in and discover the top nine hedging plants that guarantee speedy growth and superb privacy!

Top Nine Rapid-Growth Hedges for Backyard Privacy

1. Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii)

Leyland Cypress is renowned for its astonishing growth rate, making it the go-to choice for those seeking an instant privacy hedge. This evergreen is prized for its dense, feathery foliage and upright habit, quickly transforming open spaces into secluded retreats.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Height: Up to 60 ft when mature (can be kept shorter with trimming)
• Best for: Large yards requiring tall, thick screens
• Care Tip: Plant at least 6-8 feet apart for healthy growth and avoid overwatering

Leyland Cypress hedges are excellent for instant backyard seclusion, especially when you need to screen multiple-story buildings or busy roads.

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

The 'Green Giant' Arborvitae has gained immense popularity due to its robust growth and resistance to pests. Its lush, conical form ensures an unbroken living wall all year round.

• Growth Rate: 3-5 feet annually in favorable conditions
• Ultimate Height: Up to 60 ft tall (easily maintained at desired height)
• Best for: Large properties needing a resilient privacy barrier
• Care Tip: Very low-maintenance and drought tolerant once established

This fast-growing privacy hedge is one of the most reliable choices due to its adaptability and disease resistance.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet is a classic rapid-growth hedge, favored for its toleration of heavy shearing and attractive, glossy leaves. Varieties such as English, Japanese, and California privet adapt to many conditions, making them ideal for urgent privacy needs.

• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
• Typical Height: Up to 15 ft (easily controlled with pruning)
• Best for: Shaping into neat, formal hedges or loose organic screens
• Care Tip: Grows well in most soils; trim regularly to maintain density

Privet hedges create thick boundaries, perfect for urban gardens demanding privacy and easy management.

4. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Fargesia varieties)

For a unique, exotic look, bamboo hedges provide near-instant height and a tranquil atmosphere. Certain clumping varieties, like Fargesia, are non-invasive and perfect for creating fast-growing privacy screens.

• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year (some types grow even faster!)
• Height: Most commonly 10-20 ft (varieties available for all heights)
• Best for: Asian-inspired gardens, modern landscapes, patios, and pool areas
• Care Tip: Choose clumping bamboo over running types to avoid unwanted spreading

Bamboo's delicate canes and evergreen foliage make it a dramatic yet practical fast-growing screen for both privacy and aesthetics.

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

Well-known for its striking red new leaves, Photinia is a vibrant choice for those wanting a colorful rapid-growth hedge for privacy. Not only fast-growing, but it also provides year-round interest.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Average Height: 10-15 ft
• Best for: Adding color and seasonal interest to privacy boundaries
• Care Tip: Responds well to pruning, which also encourages new red shoots

The dazzling red-and-green hues of Photinia hedges ensure your privacy screen is as beautiful as it is functional.

6. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cherry Laurel, also called English Laurel, is a robust evergreen shrub boasting broad, glossy leaves and rapid growth. It's tolerant of shade, pollution, and drought, making it a favorite for urban and suburban spaces.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet or more per year
• Height Potential: Up to 20 ft (easy to keep trimmed)
• Best for: Formal hedges, privacy screens, and noise reduction
• Care Tip: Will thrive in sun or shade, just avoid waterlogged soils

A Cherry Laurel hedge gives you a lush, year-round green wall with excellent noise-dampening abilities.

7. Red-Tipped Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Often confused with 'Red Robin,' the Red-tipped Photinia is prized for its rapid growth and fiery foliage. This fast-growing hedge makes a colorful statement in borders or as a standalone privacy barrier.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet or more annually
• Usual Height: Easily reaches 10-12 ft
• Best for: Decorative privacy screens with a splash of color
• Care Tip: Requires regular pruning to stay dense and vibrant

The dramatic leaf coloration and sturdy growth make Red-tipped Photinia a standout for those who want a privacy hedge with personality!

8. Escallonia (Escallonia spp.)

Escallonia is a fast-growing evergreen shrub adorned with glossy green leaves and clusters of pink, red, or white flowers that attract pollinators. Its dense, bushy habit makes it a wonderful candidate for backyard privacy.

• Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet per year
• Height: 6-10 ft
• Best for: Coastal gardens, flowering hedges, mixed borders
• Care Tip: Needs well-drained soil and responds well to early summer pruning

Escallonia hedges offer flowers and foliage, making them a dual-purpose hedge for those who want privacy and a pop of seasonal color.

9. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

Looking for a native, wildlife-friendly hedge? Wax Myrtle is a hardy evergreen shrub that grows quickly, forms dense thickets, and can adapt to both sun and shade.

• Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
• Height: 10-15 ft
• Best for: Fast-growing natural screens in a variety of climates, including coastal
• Care Tip: Naturally pest-resistant and drought-tolerant once established

Wax Myrtle hedges require minimal care and provide food and shelter for native birds--a win-win for privacy and biodiversity.

Tips for Selecting and Establishing Your Rapid-Growth Privacy Hedge

• Climate Suitability: Choose species adapted to your local conditions for the healthiest growth.
• Space Requirements: Consider mature width and height before planting--avoid overcrowding.
• Soil Preparation: Invest in rich, well-draining soil and incorporate organic matter for best results.
• Watering Needs: Establish new hedges with regular watering, especially the first year. Many species become drought-tolerant afterward.
• Pruning: Some hedges thrive with regular maintenance, while others can be kept natural--decide your desired look before planting.
• Native vs. Non-native: Whichever plant you choose, be sure it won't become invasive in your region.

Proper planning and care set your privacy hedge up for years of success, and many fast-growing options will reach their full potential within just a couple of seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rapid-Growing Hedges

1. How quickly can I expect privacy from a new hedge?

With the right species from our list of nine rapid-growth hedges, you may see a modest screen within the first year. Most will achieve full privacy within 2-3 years, depending on your local growing conditions and care.

2. Which hedge offers the most instant privacy?

Bamboo typically offers the fastest vertical growth, while Leyland Cypress, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Privet are top choices for dense, tall screens. For immediate effect, consider starting with larger plants or stagger your planting for staggered maturity.

3. Are these hedges evergreen or deciduous?

Most hedges listed above are evergreen, providing year-round privacy. Some, like Privet, can be semi-evergreen or deciduous in colder regions.

4. How do I maintain the height and shape of fast-growing hedges?

Regular trimming is key for keeping your privacy hedge neat and within desired dimensions. Formal hedges should be trimmed two or three times a season; informal screens can be pruned as needed.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Hedge for Instant Privacy

When it comes to creating a private backyard sanctuary, the right combination of fast-growing hedge plants makes all the difference. Consider your garden's style, sunlight, climate, and maintenance preferences to select the ideal hedge for you. With options ranging from classic evergreens like Leyland Cypress to vibrant Photinia or lush Cherry Laurel, you're sure to find a plant that grows quickly and delivers reliable backyard seclusion.

The nine rapid-growth hedges outlined above each have strengths--whether it's instant height, dazzling foliage, or wildlife value. By following our planting and care tips, you'll enjoy a gorgeous, living privacy barrier in no time at all. For more backyard landscaping tips, bookmark this article and check out our related guides on privacy screens, noise reduction, and garden design ideas.

Ready to transform your yard? With the right hedge, your outdoor space will soon be your own secluded oasis--full of beauty, privacy, and peace.