Top 9 Hedges Offering Fast Growth and Enhanced Privacy

Posted on 17/09/2025

Top 9 Hedges Offering Fast Growth and Enhanced Privacy

If privacy is at the top of your landscaping wish list, choosing the right fast-growing hedge is essential. Privacy hedging not only shields your garden from prying eyes and noise but also brings structure, beauty, and an appealing backdrop to your outdoor spaces. Discover our curated list of the top fast-growing hedges offering enhanced privacy, perfect for homeowners who want quick solutions with lasting results.

Why Opt For Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges?

When it comes to boundary solutions, fast-growing privacy hedges are a go-to for many gardeners. Compared to fences, living hedges are:

• Sustainable and eco-friendly
• Excellent as wildlife habitats and food sources
• Visually appealing throughout the seasons
• Effective noise and wind barriers
• Cost-effective over the long term

Whether you're seeking instant privacy, a lush green screen, or a floral display that doubles as a deterrent, our selected hedges provide superb privacy screening options.

Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy and Security

Below you'll find a comprehensive list of the best hedges for fast privacy, complete with care tips and ideal growing conditions.

1. Leylandii (Cupressus x leylandii)

Leylandii tops the list for fast privacy hedges. This evergreen conifer is renowned for its lightning-fast growth rate--up to 3 feet (90cm) per year--making it one of the most popular choices for an instant green barrier.

• Privacy Benefits: Dense, evergreen foliage ensures a year-round screen.
• Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year.
• Maximum Height: Over 40 feet if untrimmed, easily kept at 6-12 feet with regular pruning.
• Best For: Large gardens, quick results, tolerance to pollution and wind.
• Care Tips: Requires biannual trimming to keep manageable. Grows in most soils and loves full sun.

Note: Leylandii are best for those who can dedicate time to trimming; unchecked, they can quickly outgrow their space.

2. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

A classic choice for privacy hedges, Laurel is an evergreen shrub featuring broad, glossy leaves that offer excellent privacy all year round.

• Privacy Benefits: Dense foliage blocks views effectively, suppresses noise.
• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year.
• Maximum Height: Up to 18 feet, easily shaped.
• Best For: Urban gardens, boundaries, shaded spots.
• Care Tips: Prune in late spring or summer; tolerates difficult conditions, including shade and pollution.

3. Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Privet is an adaptable, vigorous hedge plant perfect for those who seek a traditional and uniform look. Its semi-evergreen to evergreen nature provides near-constant coverage.

• Privacy Benefits: Tight, leafy structure forms an impenetrable barrier.
• Growth Rate: 12-18 inches per year.
• Maximum Height: Typically maintained at 4-12 feet.
• Best For: Formal topiary, shapeable screens, small gardens.
• Care Tips: Responds well to regular trimming; tolerant of poor soils.

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

For those who want a vivid blend of beauty and privacy, Photinia is unrivaled. The young leaves emerge bright red before maturing to lush green, creating a striking multi-colored hedge.

• Privacy Benefits: Evergreen, dense, and colorful year-round.
• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year.
• Maximum Height: 10-15 feet when left untrimmed.
• Best For: Decorative privacy screens, focal points.
• Care Tips: Thrives in sun or partial shade; prune after new growth in spring or summer for best color.

5. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

With its elegant dark evergreen leaves and red stems, Portuguese Laurel brings a touch of sophistication to privacy hedges while maintaining fast growth.

• Privacy Benefits: Thick, lush coverage, attractive all year.
• Growth Rate: 18-24 inches per year.
• Maximum Height: Grows to 10-20 feet, trims well to 5-8 feet.
• Best For: Formal hedging, flowering displays (produces fragrant white flowers).
• Care Tips: Drought tolerant once established; trim in late spring or mid-summer.

6. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

An excellent deciduous hedge for privacy, Hornbeam holds onto its brown leaves through winter, ensuring semi-permanent screening in colder months.

• Privacy Benefits: Dense branches, keeps dried leaves into late winter.
• Growth Rate: 1-1.5 feet per year.
• Maximum Height: Up to 15 feet or more; responds well to hard pruning.
• Best For: Windy/exposed sites, wet or clay soils.
• Care Tips: Prune late summer to early autumn; tolerant of a wide range of conditions.

7. Bamboo (Phyllostachys species)

When it comes to modern and exotic privacy hedges, Bamboo stands out. Fast-growing and verdant, bamboo creates a dense screen in no time.

• Privacy Benefits: Tall, dense canes create a natural curtain.
• Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet per year in optimal conditions.
• Maximum Height: 10-30 feet depending on species.
• Best For: Contemporary gardens, sound barriers, rapid screening.
• Care Tips: Opt for clumping varieties (like Fargesia) to avoid invasive spread; plant in root barriers.

Caution: Some bamboo species can spread aggressively. Always research before planting!

8. Cherry Laurel 'Otto Luyken' (Prunus laurocerasus 'Otto Luyken')

This compact cherry laurel variety is beloved for its glossy leaves and fragrant spring flowers. It's perfect for lower hedges or privacy screens where height needs limiting.

• Privacy Benefits: Lush semi-evergreen foliage, beautiful white spring blossoms.
• Growth Rate: 1 foot per year.
• Maximum Height: 4-6 feet, compact and tidy.
• Best For: Smaller gardens, low-maintenance screening.
• Care Tips: Prune after flowering to maintain shape; tolerates shade and dry conditions.

9. Griselinia littoralis

Native to New Zealand, Griselinia is a hardy evergreen hedge that handles coastal wind, salt, and urban pollution with ease. Its apple-green leaves provide a fresh, modern look.

• Privacy Benefits: Dense foliage, grows quickly to obscure views.
• Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year.
• Maximum Height: 12-15 feet.
• Best For: Coastal locations, exposed urban spaces.
• Care Tips: Likes well-drained soils and sunny sites; regular trimming keeps it bushy and neat.

How to Choose the Best Hedge for Fast Privacy

Choosing the right hedge for privacy depends on multiple factors. Ask yourself:

• How private does your space need to be? Do you want a solid green wall or something that offers partial screening?
• How fast do you need your hedge to mature? Some hedges shoot up quickly but require regular maintenance.
• What are your growing conditions? Sun, shade, soil type and drainage all play a part in success.
• Would you prefer evergreen or deciduous? Evergreens offer year-round coverage; deciduous options may let in winter light.
• How much maintenance are you prepared for? Fast-growing hedges usually need more frequent prunings.

Planting and Maintaining Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

To ensure your new privacy hedge gets off to a strong start, follow these best practices:

• Prepare the soil well: Remove weeds and work in organic matter to ensure strong root growth.
• Water regularly during establishment: The first two years are critical for hedge growth and survival.
• Mulch around the base: This conserves moisture and suppresses competing weeds.
• Trim frequently: This encourages dense, bushy growth and promotes a formal look.
• Feed annually: Use a balanced fertilizer in spring to support vigorous, lush foliage.

Expert Tip:

For stunning, healthy hedges, always plant in a double staggered row rather than a single line. This creates increased density and better privacy coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Growing Hedging for Privacy

• Q: Which fast-growing hedge offers the most privacy?
  Leylandii and Laurel hedges are commonly regarded as the most effective for rapid, dense privacy screening due to their evergreen nature and vigorous growth.
• Q: How close should I plant my privacy hedge?
  Spacing depends on the species, but typically 2-3 feet apart for most hedges ensures a tight, seamless screen as they mature.
• Q: Are there non-invasive alternatives to bamboo for screening?
  Yes--Griselinia, Photinia, and Laurel all provide fast, non-invasive options for privacy.
• Q: How do I keep my hedge dense from the ground up?
  Regular trimming and shaping, especially in the first few years, will encourage your hedge to fill out from base to top.

Conclusion: Find the Perfect Fast-Growing Hedge for Your Privacy Needs

There is a fast-growing hedge plant suitable for nearly every climate, garden size, and style. Whether you prefer the lush, glossy leaves of Laurels, the bold statement of Leylandii, or the contemporary appeal of Bamboo, each of these top 9 hedges offers rapid growth and superior privacy.

By carefully selecting, planting, and maintaining your chosen hedge, you'll enjoy a beautiful natural barrier that not only improves privacy but also contributes to the ecological health of your surroundings.

Ready to enhance your outdoor space? Invest in one of these top-ranked privacy hedges for a quick, green, and effective garden screen that lasts for years.