24 Fast-Growing Shrubs for Instant Privacy
Create a natural privacy screen fast with these 24 fast-growing shrubs. From towering evergreens to flowering beauties, this list covers the best options to block unwanted views and transform your yard in just a few seasons. #PrivacyShrubs #FastGrowingHedges #BackyardPrivacy #LandscapingIdeas #GardenDesign
A few years ago, my backyard felt like a fishbowl. Every time I sat on my patio, I could see straight into my neighbor’s kitchen, and I’m pretty sure they could see me too.
I looked into building a fence, but the cost and the permits were overwhelming. Then I discovered privacy shrubs.
I planted a row of Thuja Green Giants along my property line, and within three years, I had a beautiful, living wall that blocked the view completely. Now my backyard feels like a private oasis.
If you want privacy without waiting a decade or spending a fortune, these 24 fast-growing shrubs are exactly what you need.
How to Choose the Right Privacy Shrubs
Before you start planting, there are a few things to think about. Getting this right will save you time and money.
What to consider:
My advice: I learned the hard way that you need to match the plant to your space. My first attempt at a privacy hedge failed because I planted sun-loving shrubs in a shady spot. They grew leggy and thin. Now I always check the light requirements before I buy.
24 Fast-Growing Shrubs for Instant Privacy
Evergreen Shrubs (Year-Round Privacy)
These shrubs keep their leaves all year, so your privacy is never compromised.
1. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja ‘Green Giant’)
This is the ultimate privacy shrub. It grows fast, stays dense, and looks great year-round.
Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year.
Mature size: 30-50 feet tall, 12-15 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 5-8.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Spacing: 5-6 feet apart for a dense hedge.
Why it’s great: Disease-resistant, low-maintenance, and adapts to most soil types.
2. Leyland Cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii)
Leyland Cypress is one of the fastest-growing privacy screens available.
Growth rate: 3-4 feet per year.
Mature size: Up to 60 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 6-10.
Sun: Full sun.
Spacing: 6-8 feet apart.
Why it’s great: Forms a thick, dense wall that blocks out noise and nosy neighbors. Tolerates most well-draining soils.
3. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Cherry laurel has large, glossy leaves that create an opaque screen quickly.
Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year.
Mature size: Up to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 7-10.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Spacing: 2-3 feet apart for a hedge.
Why it’s great: Fragrant spring flowers, dense foliage, and low-maintenance.
4. Southern Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Wax myrtle is a native plant that grows incredibly fast.
Growth rate: 3-5 feet per year.
Mature size: Up to 25 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 6-10.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Adapts to many different sun and soil conditions. Native to the Southeast.
5. Holly (Ilex varieties)
Certain holly varieties grow fast and provide year-round greenery.
Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year for Nellie Stevens holly.
Mature size: Varies by variety, up to 50 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 5-9.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Glossy green leaves, bright berries in winter, and excellent for wildlife.
6. Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis)
This narrow evergreen is perfect for tight spaces where you need height without width.
Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year.
Mature size: 15 feet tall and 4 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 3-7.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Perfect for small yards, provides a tall, narrow privacy screen.
7. Juniper ‘Blue Arrow’ (Juniperus scopulorum)
For a vertical accent that doesn’t take up much space, this juniper is ideal.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast.
Mature size: 15 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 4-9.
Sun: Full sun.
Why it’s great: Tall and narrow, perfect for smaller spaces needing a vertical screen.
8. Euonymus ‘Silver King’ (Euonymus japonicus)
This fast-growing evergreen has beautiful silver-edged leaves.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: Varies by variety.
Hardiness zones: 6-9.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Colorful variegated foliage adds interest to your privacy screen.
9. Camellia (Camellia varieties)
Camellias offer stunning winter and early spring flowers along with dense evergreen foliage.
Growth rate: About 1 foot per year.
Mature size: Up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 6-10.
Sun: Partial to full shade.
Why it’s great: Gorgeous flowers from late fall through early spring.
10. Hick’s Yew (Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’)
This evergreen is perfect for formal hedges and shearing.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Mature size: 18-20 feet tall, 6-10 feet wide (in 20 years).
Hardiness zones: 4-7.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Tightly packed deep green foliage provides a dense screen. Perfect for shearing into formal shapes.
11. ‘Bright ‘N Tight’ Carolina Laurel (Prunus caroliniana ‘Monus’)
This compact laurel offers fragrant spring blooms and handsome evergreen foliage.
Growth rate: Moderate.
Mature size: 8-10 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide in ten years.
Hardiness zones: 7-11.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Fragrant flowers, shiny berries, and attracts birds and butterflies.
12. Texas Sage (Leucophyllum frutescens)
For hot, dry climates, Texas sage is a drought-resistant champion.
Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year.
Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide.
Hardiness zones: 8-10.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Drought-tolerant, heat-tolerant, and has pretty magenta flowers.
Deciduous Shrubs (Seasonal Privacy with Flowers)
These shrubs lose their leaves in winter but offer beautiful flowers, fragrance, and fall color during the growing season.
13. Forsythia (Forsythia varieties)
Forsythia bursts into bright yellow flowers in early spring, creating a stunning display.
Growth rate: Fast, up to 10 feet in a few years.
Mature size: 8-10 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness zones: 5-8.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Spacing: 4-5 feet apart.
Why it’s great: Early spring color, fast-growing, and deer-resistant. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
14. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
This late-summer bloomer produces tropical-looking flowers in white, pink, purple, and blue.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 8-12 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 5-9.
Sun: Full sun.
Spacing: Plant 2-3 feet apart in a double row for a thick hedge.
Why it’s great: Long blooming season, low-maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established.
15. Panicled Hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
These hydrangeas grow quickly into informal hedges with huge conical flower heads.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: Up to 8 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness zones: 3-8.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Huge, showy flowers that bloom from summer to fall.
16. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
This shrub is a magnet for butterflies and pollinators.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 5-10 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 5-9.
Sun: Full sun.
Why it’s great: Fragrant flowers, attracts pollinators, and blooms from spring to fall. Newer varieties are non-invasive.
17. Viburnum (Viburnum varieties)
Viburnums are a diverse group of shrubs that make excellent privacy screens.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 10 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness zones: 2-9.
Sun: Full sun.
Why it’s great: Spring blooms, attractive berries in fall, and dense foliage. Many varieties available for different spaces.
18. Weigela (Weigela florida)
Weigela adds both privacy and color with its trumpet-shaped flowers.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 4-5 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness zones: 4-8.
Sun: Full sun for best blooms.
Why it’s great: Pink or red trumpet-shaped flowers, re-blooming varieties available, and hummingbird-friendly.
19. Lilac (Syringa varieties)
Lilacs are classic shrubs with intensely fragrant spring flowers.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast.
Mature size: 4-8 feet tall, depending on variety.
Hardiness zones: 3-7.
Sun: Full sun.
Why it’s great: Incredible fragrance, beautiful spring blooms, and compact varieties like ‘Miss Kim’ are available.
20. Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Mock orange fills your garden with a sweet, citrus-like fragrance in late spring.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 6-10 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 4-8.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Highly fragrant white flowers, fast-growing, and elegant addition to privacy screens.
21. Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Elderberry offers edible berries and thick foliage that makes an excellent natural screen.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 6-10 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 3-9.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Edible berries, thick foliage, and spreading branches provide excellent coverage.
22. Spirea (Spiraea japonica)
Spirea is a reliable, easy-care shrub with abundant flowers.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 2-5 feet tall, depending on variety.
Hardiness zones: 4-8.
Sun: Full sun.
Why it’s great: Reliable blooms, colorful foliage, and compact size makes it versatile for hedges.
23. Quince (Chaenomeles)
Quince is a thick, thorny shrub that provides an impenetrable barrier.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 3-6 feet tall.
Hardiness zones: 4-8.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Thick and thorny, perfect for keeping out intruders, fiery pink spring flowers.
24. Loropetalum (Loropetalum chinense)
Also known as Chinese fringe flower, this shrub has beautiful burgundy foliage and pink flowers.
Growth rate: Fast.
Mature size: 6-10 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness zones: 7-9.
Sun: Full sun to partial shade.
Why it’s great: Colorful foliage, pink flowers, and makes an attractive flowering privacy screen.
Quick Reference Table: 24 Shrubs at a Glance
| Shrub | Type | Growth Rate | Mature Height | Zones | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Evergreen | 3-5 ft/year | 30-50 ft | 5-8 | Full sun to part shade |
| Leyland Cypress | Evergreen | 3-4 ft/year | 60 ft | 6-10 | Full sun |
| Cherry Laurel | Evergreen | 2 ft/year | 30 ft | 7-10 | Full sun to part shade |
| Southern Wax Myrtle | Evergreen | 3-5 ft/year | 25 ft | 6-10 | Full sun to part shade |
| Holly | Evergreen | 3 ft/year | Up to 50 ft | 5-9 | Full sun to part shade |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | Evergreen | 1-2 ft/year | 15 ft | 3-7 | Full sun to part shade |
| Blue Arrow Juniper | Evergreen | Moderate | 15 ft | 4-9 | Full sun |
| Euonymus | Evergreen | Fast | Varies | 6-9 | Full sun to part shade |
| Camellia | Evergreen | 1 ft/year | 12 ft | 6-10 | Part to full shade |
| Hick’s Yew | Evergreen | Moderate | 18-20 ft | 4-7 | Full sun to part shade |
| Bright ‘N Tight Carolina Laurel | Evergreen | Moderate | 8-10 ft | 7-11 | Full sun to part shade |
| Texas Sage | Evergreen | 1-2 ft/year | 8 ft | 8-10 | Full sun to part shade |
| Forsythia | Deciduous | Fast | 8-10 ft | 5-8 | Full sun to part shade |
| Rose of Sharon | Deciduous | Fast | 8-12 ft | 5-9 | Full sun |
| Panicled Hydrangea | Deciduous | Fast | 8 ft | 3-8 | Full sun to part shade |
| Butterfly Bush | Deciduous | Fast | 5-10 ft | 5-9 | Full sun |
| Viburnum | Deciduous | Fast | 10 ft | 2-9 | Full sun |
| Weigela | Deciduous | Fast | 4-5 ft | 4-8 | Full sun |
| Lilac | Deciduous | Moderate | 4-8 ft | 3-7 | Full sun |
| Mock Orange | Deciduous | Fast | 6-10 ft | 4-8 | Full sun to part shade |
| Elderberry | Deciduous | Fast | 6-10 ft | 3-9 | Full sun to part shade |
| Spirea | Deciduous | Fast | 2-5 ft | 4-8 | Full sun |
| Quince | Deciduous | Fast | 3-6 ft | 4-8 | Full sun to part shade |
| Loropetalum | Evergreen | Fast | 6-10 ft | 7-9 | Full sun to part shade |
Tips for Planting a Privacy Hedge
Give Them Space
Plant shrubs at the recommended spacing for your chosen variety. For a thick hedge, you may want to plant a double row in a zigzag pattern.
Water Deeply
Water thoroughly after planting and during the first year to help roots establish. Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep roots.
Mulch
Add a layer of mulch around your shrubs to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Prune for Density
Regular pruning encourages dense, bushy growth. For shrubs like privet, prune two or three times during the growing season.
Be Patient (But Not Too Patient)
Most fast-growing shrubs form a dense hedge in 3-5 years, depending on planting spacing and care. Some, like Leylandii and Thuja Green Giant, can fill in even faster.
My Personal Privacy Hedge Routine
Here is what I did to create my backyard oasis. You can copy this.
Year 1:
- I planted Thuja Green Giants 6 feet apart along my property line.
- I watered them deeply twice a week during dry spells.
- I added a thick layer of mulch around the base.
Year 2:
- I watered during dry spells.
- I trimmed the tops lightly to encourage bushier growth.
Year 3:
- My hedge was 10 feet tall and starting to fill in.
- I trimmed it once in early summer to maintain the shape.
Year 4:
- My hedge was 15 feet tall and completely blocked the view.
- Now I trim it once a year and enjoy total privacy.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to wait years or build an expensive fence to get privacy in your yard. Fast-growing shrubs like Thuja Green Giant, Leyland Cypress, and Cherry Laurel can create a living wall in just a few seasons. Flowering shrubs like forsythia, rose of Sharon, and butterfly bush add beauty and fragrance while blocking unwanted views.
I started with a row of Thuja Green Giants, and now my backyard is my favorite place to relax. You can do this too. Pick a few shrubs from this list, plant them with care, and enjoy your private outdoor sanctuary.
