Explore 9 Speedy Growing Hedges for Seclusion
Posted on 05/06/2025
Explore 9 Speedy Growing Hedges for Seclusion
In today's busy world, privacy and tranquility in your garden or yard are more valuable than ever. Whether you wish to block unwanted views, reduce noise, or create a calming retreat, fast growing hedges for seclusion are a practical and attractive solution. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover nine of the best speedy growing hedges for privacy, each offering distinct advantages to grace and protect your outdoor sanctuary.
Why Choose Fast Growing Hedges?
If you're longing for private space in your yard or garden, waiting years for slow-growing shrubs to mature is less than ideal. Speedy growing hedges offer the perfect compromise between beauty and practicality, giving you natural privacy screens in a fraction of the time.
- Quick results: Many fast growing hedges can gain 2-4 feet of height annually under good conditions.
- Versatility: These privacy hedges can suit both formal and informal landscapes.
- Wildlife habitat: Dense, leafy hedges offer shelter and food for birds and beneficial insects.
- Sound and wind barrier: Thriving hedges help reduce noise and buffer unsightly views.
- Eco-friendly: Living barriers improve air quality and soil health, unlike solid fences.
Let's explore the best speedy growing hedges for seclusion for your home garden and how to care for them.
Top 9 Speedy Growing Hedges for Natural Privacy
1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
Leyland Cypress is perhaps the most popular fast growing hedge for privacy in North America and Europe. Its feather-like foliage and soaring growth rate--up to 3-5 feet per year--make it ideal for those seeking immediate seclusion.
- Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year
- Height: 60-70 feet if left unpruned; commonly maintained at 10-20 feet
- Best use: Tall, dense privacy screens
Trim regularly to encourage dense branching and avoid bare areas. Leyland Cypress prefers full sun and moderately moist, well-drained soil.
2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')
The Green Giant Arborvitae is celebrated for rapid growth--about 3 feet per year--and lush, year-round privacy. It forms a thick, upright wall of greenery that thrives in a range of climates.
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height: Easily reaches 30-40 feet tall, but can be pruned lower
- Best use: Tall, evergreen hedging for large properties
Green Giant Arborvitae is resistant to most pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance favorite. Plant them 5-8 feet apart for a quick privacy hedge.
3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Privet is a classic, fast-growing privacy hedge plant that suits formal and informal gardens alike. Its dense, leafy branches can be shaped into tight, geometric shapes or allowed to grow naturally for a rustic look.
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height: 8-12 feet, depending on variety
- Best use: Shapable borders, garden rooms, urban privacy
Privet adapts well to most soil types and is tolerant of pollution, making it perfect for city gardens. Regular trimming encourages lush growth and helps maintain its neat appearance.
4. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)
For an exotic touch, consider bamboo hedges. Clumping bamboo varieties, such as Phyllostachys aureosulcata or Fargesia robusta, can shoot up several feet each year, forming a dense curtain of foliage for instant seclusion.
- Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year (some types even more!)
- Height: 10-30 feet, depending on species
- Best use: Modern, exotic privacy screens; noise buffer
Opt for clumping bamboo to prevent unwanted spread. Bamboo loves regular watering but can tolerate some drought once established.
5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
The Cherry Laurel is a robust, broad-leaved evergreen that creates an impenetrable green wall. Its glossy leaves remain vibrant all year, and fragrant spring flowers add bonus appeal.
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height: 10-20 feet, depending on pruning
- Best use: Dense, mid-height privacy hedges, urban and suburban gardens
Plant Cherry Laurel in sun or partial shade. It tolerates poor soils and even urban pollution, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain shape and fullness.
6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')
Photinia is instantly recognizable for its vibrant red spring foliage, which matures to glossy green. This fast privacy hedge offers visual excitement as well as rapid growth.
- Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
- Height: 8-15 feet if unpruned
- Best use: Colorful, flowering hedges
Trim once or twice a year to keep your Photinia hedge thick and to encourage lush new red growth. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil and enjoys full or partial sunlight.
7. Escallonia (Escallonia spp.)
For those near the coast, Escallonia is a top choice. This tough evergreen boasts clusters of pink, white, or red flowers in summer, as well as glossy leaves.
- Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Height: 5-10 feet depending on variety and pruning
- Best use: Flowering, salt and wind-tolerant privacy hedges
Water regularly after planting and prune right after flowering. Escallonia loves sunny, sheltered positions and is drought-resistant once established.
8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
Wax Myrtle, also called Southern Bayberry, is perfect for those who desire a fragrant, bird-friendly privacy hedge that also grows fast.
- Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height: 10-15 feet (can be trimmed lower)
- Best use: Wildlife and privacy hedges for mild climates
Wax Myrtle tolerates poor, sandy soils and salt spray, making it an excellent choice for coastal regions. Its aromatic foliage adds another layer of sensory pleasure to your secluded garden.
9. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
Looking for a hedge that's speedy, striking in all seasons, and wildlife-friendly? Red Twig Dogwood checks all the boxes. In addition to fast growth, its bright red stems add winter interest when leaves drop.
- Growth rate: 2-4 feet per year
- Height: 6-10 feet
- Best use: Seasonal color, informal privacy screens, wet soils
Red Twig Dogwood adapts to a wide range of soils--even heavy clay--and tolerates part shade. Prune older stems in early spring to maintain vivid color.
How to Plant Speedy Growing Hedge Plants for Seclusion
Establishing a fast-growing privacy hedge takes more than just picking the right species. Here's a step-by-step guide for lush, lasting results:
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the planting area and amend with compost if needed, ensuring good drainage.
- Plan spacing: Plant hedges close enough for quick coverage, but far enough for healthy growth. For most species, 3-5 feet apart is ideal.
- Plant at the right depth: Place each plant at the same level as it was in its pot.
- Water deeply: Give fresh plantings a thorough soak and keep soil moist, especially during the first year.
- Mulch: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
- Prune for shape: Lightly trim after planting to encourage bushy growth, then prune annually for density.
A well-cared-for privacy hedge will deliver fast, beautiful results for years to come.
Caring for Your Fast Growing Hedges
To keep your fast growing hedges for privacy thriving and effective:
- Water regularly: New hedges need consistent moisture. Once established, water during dry spells.
- Feed annually: Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer each spring.
- Prune at the right time: Most hedges benefit from pruning in late winter or early spring, just before new growth.
- Inspect for pests and diseases: Healthy, vigorous growth resists most issues, but check regularly.
Choosing the Right Fast Privacy Hedge for Your Landscape
Each property is unique. When deciding on the best speedy privacy hedges for your needs, consider:
- Sun exposure: Some hedges--like Leyland Cypress and Photinia--require full sun, while others tolerate part shade.
- Soil and climate: Wax Myrtle and Escallonia excel in coastal gardens, while Green Giant Arborvitae shines in temperate zones.
- Desired height: Some hedges suit tall screens; others are ideal for mid-height borders.
- Maintenance level: Fast growers need regular pruning--choose varieties to match your available time.
Remember, fast growing hedges for seclusion are not only functional but also enhance your landscape with shape, texture, and sometimes flowers or winter color. Many also serve wildlife, attract butterflies, and reduce dust and wind on your property.
Frequently Asked Questions about Speedy Growing Hedges
How quickly will my privacy hedge grow?
Growth rates vary depending on species and care. Most speedy growing hedges included in our top 9 list will gain 2-4 feet per year in ideal conditions.
What is the fastest growing hedge for seclusion?
How close should I plant privacy hedges?
Spacing depends on mature size, but 3-5 feet apart is typical for fast privacy screens. Closer spacing gives faster coverage but may require more regular shearing.
Can I create a hedge for privacy in a small garden?
Absolutely! Choose compact or easily pruned species like Privet, Cherry Laurel, or Red Twig Dogwood for limited spaces.
Conclusion: Enjoy Your Secluded Retreat Sooner
Fast growing hedges for privacy are a sustainable, beautiful way to claim your space, boosting curb appeal and property value while providing a leafy retreat from the world. Whether you love the formal elegance of Privet, the year-round drama of Green Giant Arborvitae, or the vibrant colors of Photinia and Red Twig Dogwood, there's a perfect fast-growing hedge for your garden.
With the right selection, planting, and care, you can transform an exposed yard into a lush, private oasis in just a few seasons. Start planning your secluded hedge today and rejoice in the beauty and tranquility nature provides!
