Find Privacy Fast with These 9 Accommodating Hedges

Posted on 12/06/2025

Find Privacy Fast with These 9 Accommodating Hedges

Looking to find privacy fast in your backyard or garden? Whether you've just moved into a new home, need to shield your space from nosy neighbors, or simply want a secluded outdoor retreat, fast-growing privacy hedges can be the perfect solution. This comprehensive guide will introduce you to nine exceptional and accommodating hedges that not only deliver rapid coverage but also enhance your landscape's beauty.

Why Choose Privacy Hedges for Quick Coverage?

Privacy hedges are a natural, eco-friendly alternative to fences and walls. They create a living barrier that muffles noise, reduces wind, and provides a lush green backdrop for your yard. Choosing the right type of fast-growing privacy hedge enables you to enjoy seclusion and tranquility sooner than you might expect.

• Environmentally friendly: Absorb CO₂ and support local wildlife.
• Visually appealing: Add seasonal interest with flowers, berries, and evergreen foliage.
• Flexible: Fits various landscaping styles, from manicured to wild and natural.
• Cost-effective: Often cheaper in the long term compared to solid barriers.

Wondering how to find privacy fast and which hedge species work best? Let's explore these accommodating hedges for rapid results.

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

The Leyland cypress stands out as a superstar for those who want to create privacy fast. This robust evergreen can soar up to 60 feet in height, but responds well to trimming, making it perfect for hedges of various sizes.

• Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year!
• Sun requirements: Full sun to part shade.
• Soil: Adaptable to many types, but prefers well-drained conditions.

With their dense foliage and rapid growth, Leyland cypresses are among the best fast-growing privacy plants for making sure your outdoor activities are hidden from view.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata)

If you're searching for a low-maintenance privacy hedge that thrives in a variety of environments, the Green Giant Arborvitae could be your answer. Developed for disease resistance and resilience, this conifer is hardy and visually attractive with rich, soft green needles.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Mature size: 12-60 feet tall; keep it trimmed for a manageable hedge.
• Attributes: Deer-resistant, drought tolerant once established, adapts to many soils.

Use Green Giant Arborvitae for a tall, living privacy screen that can block unsightly views and create shady garden sanctuaries.

3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

Privet hedges have long been a favorite for topiary and formal gardens, but their fast growth and dense branching also make them excellent for finding privacy fast. Both evergreen and semi-evergreen varieties abound.

• Growth rate: 2-3 feet per year, sometimes more in optimal conditions.
• Maintenance: Prune two or three times per year to keep your desired shape and height.
• Appearance: Small white flowers in summer, followed by black berries (note: berries can be toxic if ingested).

Privets are a classic solution for quick privacy screens and can be used for both tall and short barriers.

4. Bamboo (Bambusoideae)

For those looking for immediate privacy with a lush, exotic vibe, bamboo is unrivaled. Though technically a grass, certain clumping bamboo species are among the fastest-growing plants on earth.

• Growth rate: Many species grow up to 5 feet or more per year!
• Types: Choose clumping varieties to prevent unwanted spreading.
• Sunlight: Usually prefers sun to part shade.

Planting a bamboo hedge is a dramatic way to find privacy fast, just make sure you select the right species and manage its boundaries.

5. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Known for their glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white blooms in spring, cherry laurels make an attractive, fast-growing privacy hedge plant. These broadleaf evergreens can handle sun or shade and are tolerant of urban pollution.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year.
• Soil preference: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerant of clay.
• Best for: Dense, year-round screening, especially in shaded areas.

If you're seeking quick-growing living fences that offer more visual interest than standard conifers, cherry laurel is a superb choice.

6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

Photinia is instantly recognizable for its vibrant red new growth, which matures to a deep green. This shrub is popular for fast-growing privacy hedging and brings year-round color to your yard.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet a year with proper care.
• Sun needs: Full sun for best color, but tolerates partial shade.
• Maintenance: Prune for thickness and shape.

Planting photinia as a hedge for immediate privacy lets you enjoy both a secluded garden space and a dynamic burst of color in the spring and summer months.

7. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

A timeless favorite for formal gardens and structured landscapes, boxwood is also a strong contender when you need to find privacy fast. While it isn't the absolute fastest grower, its dense form and year-round greenery make up for it.

• Growth rate: 6-12 inches per year, faster in optimal conditions.
• Benefits: Tolerates regular pruning, shade, and urban conditions.
• Best for: Medium-height, evergreen hedges (2-6 feet).

Boxwood is perfect if you want a neat and tidy hedge that stays attractive throughout the seasons, all while providing a dependable privacy barrier.

8. Holly (Ilex spp.)

Holly isn't just a festive favorite--it's also a top privacy hedge plant with its glossy leaves and bright berries. Many varieties, such as Nellie Stevens and Blue Princess, offer rapid growth and thick, bird-friendly foliage.

• Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year for certain hybrids.
• Attributes: Excellent for wildlife, provides year-round screening.
• Appearance: Evergreen leaves, spiny in some, with striking winter berries.

A holly hedge displays dense, lustrous evergreens all year long, so you can enjoy privacy quickly and attract beautiful songbirds to your garden.

9. Red-Tipped Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin')

Though related to standard photinia, the Red-Tipped Photinia 'Red Robin' is prized specifically for its brilliant scarlet leaves in spring, maturing to a rich green. This plant easily forms a dense privacy hedge in a few short years.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet per year.
• Appearance: Stunning contrast of red and green; small white flowers in spring.
• Soil & sun: Adaptable, prefers full sun for best coloring.

Use this photinia to find privacy fast if you want a splash of color to go with your seclusion.

How to Choose the Best Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge for Your Needs

When your goal is to secure privacy fast, it's important to consider several factors before planting:

• Space available: Some hedges require plenty of room to reach their full width.
• Sun exposure: Assess whether your area is sunny, partially shaded, or shaded.
• Maintenance: Some fast-growing hedge plants need frequent trimming to stay neat.
• Desired height: Are you looking for a tall screen or a lower hedge?
• Wildlife friendliness: Some, like holly and cherry laurel, offer berries for birds.
• Soil conditions: Match your hedge to your garden's soil for optimal growth rates.

Pro tip: Always check for invasiveness and make sure any hedge you choose is appropriate for your local climate and regulations.

Planting and Caring for Your Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

Getting the best results from your hedge investment involves careful planting and regular care. Here's how to make sure your fast-growing hedge fills in quickly and remains healthy:

1. Plan your spacing: Plant young bushes closer for rapid coverage, but not so close that they'll crowd each other as they mature.
2. Prepare the soil: Incorporate compost and ensure good drainage.
3. Water regularly: Deep watering encourages root development, especially during the first year.
4. Mulch: Helps conserve moisture and suppresses weeds beneath the hedge.
5. Prune as needed: Early and regular pruning stimulates bushiness and keeps your hedge dense.
6. Fertilize: A balanced fertilizer in early spring and midsummer can boost establishment.

Don't forget: Even the fastest-growing privacy hedges benefit from a great start! Monitor for pests, diseases, and adjust care based on early growth patterns.

Other Fast Privacy Options: Instant Impact Solutions

Short on time? For immediate privacy, some nurseries provide mature hedging plants or even pre-grown "instant hedges." Though pricier, these can give you a substantial, ready-made screen in mere hours.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How quickly can I expect full privacy from a hedge?

• Most accommodating hedges on this list provide substantial screening in 2-5 years, depending on species and growing conditions.
• Some--like bamboo or Leyland cypress--may achieve impressive height within 2 years with attentive care.

Which privacy hedge is best for small gardens?

• Boxwood, dwarf cherry laurel, or smaller-sized photinia hedges are excellent for compact spaces or container gardens.

Are privacy hedges expensive to maintain?

• Once established, most are relatively low maintenance. Fast growers need more frequent pruning, but overall costs are lower than wooden or metal fences in the long term.

Are there any privacy hedges that flower?

• Yes! Cherry laurel, photinia, and even some species of privet offer lovely blooms, adding extra beauty to your living fence.

Start Your Private Sanctuary Today

When you're ready to find privacy fast, there's a host of accommodating hedge options waiting for you. Whether you want the stately look of Leyland cypress, the friendly habitat of holly, or the vivid colors of photinia, there's a hedge to suit your needs and bring you closer to the solitude you crave. With the right choice and a little patience, your garden oasis will soon become the perfect escape.

• Enjoy peace of mind with natural, attractive screening.
• Support local wildlife and the environment.
• Add value and beauty to your property.

Ready to find privacy quickly? Choose from these 9 accommodating hedges and start planting your green shield today!