Best Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges: Top Evergreen & Low-Maintenance Plants
Published: 07/10/2025 | Updated: 07/10/2025
Transforming your backyard into a private paradise is easier than you think. Whether you’re tired of nosy neighbors, want to block out street noise, or simply crave a cozy, green retreat, fast-growing privacy hedges are the ultimate solution. They act as natural fences, absorbing sound, filtering air, and providing a serene green wall that defines your space beautifully.
This guide explores the best fast-growing evergreen shrubs and privacy screen plants that thrive in various climates while demanding minimal upkeep. From the iconic Thuja ‘Green Giant’ to the colorful Golden Vicary Privet and the serene Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo, these selections will help you design a hedge that grows quickly and looks stunning all year long.
Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges
Installing a traditional fence may offer immediate coverage, but living barriers bring unmatched natural benefits:
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Aesthetic Appeal: Adds texture, depth, and vibrant color to your landscape.
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Eco-Friendly Barrier: Reduces dust, noise, and air pollution.
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Wildlife Habitat: Attracts birds and beneficial insects.
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Cost-Effective: Once planted, they continue to grow and fill in for years with minimal maintenance.
If you want speed, style, and sustainability, a well-chosen hedge will deliver all three.
Exploring Fast-Growing Evergreens
Thuja ‘Green Giant’
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Growth Rate: 3–5 feet per year
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Benefits: Dense foliage, deer- and pest-resistant, formal appearance
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Zones: 5–9
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Maintenance: Prune once annually for shape
The Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is one of the fastest-growing evergreen trees in North America. Known for its rapid growth and dense pyramid form, this arborvitae can reach 30–40 feet tall, forming an instant privacy wall within a few years. Its rich green foliage stays vibrant year-round, resisting browning even in winter. With minimal pruning and little pest pressure, it’s an ideal “plant it and forget it” option for homeowners wanting lasting coverage.
Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
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Growth Rate: 1–2 feet per year
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Benefits: Compact size, vibrant green foliage, deer resistant, highly adaptable
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Zones: 3–8
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Maintenance: Low — prune once annually to maintain shape
The Emerald Green Arborvitae (also known as Thuja ‘Smaragd’) is a beautiful, low-maintenance evergreen ideal for creating formal, polished privacy hedges. Unlike larger species such as Thuja ‘Green Giant’, this cultivar maintains a narrow, upright growth habit, reaching 10–15 feet in height — perfect for small to medium-sized yards.
Its emerald-green foliage stays bright and dense year-round, even in harsh winters, and it naturally resists deer and most pests. The Arborvitae’s neat, pyramidal form makes it a top choice for tight spaces, patios, and property borders where a tidy appearance is essential. For the best results, plant in full sun to partial shade and water regularly during the first growing season.
Deciduous Dynamos: The Privet Hedge
If you prefer a more formal or sculpted hedge, Privet (Ligustrum spp.) is a timeless classic. Although deciduous in colder climates, many varieties hold their leaves in warmer zones, providing near year-round privacy.
Golden Vicary Privet
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Growth Rate: 1–2 feet per year
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Benefits: Striking golden-yellow foliage, drought tolerant, easily shaped
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Zones: 5–8
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Maintenance: Moderate — prune twice annually for best form
The Golden Vicary Privet brings brightness to the landscape with its radiant, golden leaves that shimmer in sunlight. This fast-growing shrub reaches 6–12 feet tall and can be pruned into sleek hedges or soft, flowing forms. It’s an excellent choice for those who want a low-maintenance hedge that adds color contrast while delivering quick coverage.
To maintain density, prune in early spring before new growth, and again mid-summer. Regular trimming not only encourages fuller growth but also enhances the plant’s vivid color.
Bamboo Alternatives: Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo
When most people think of bamboo, they imagine invasive species that quickly take over a yard. However, Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo (Nandina domestica ‘Gulf Stream’) offers all the beauty of bamboo without the maintenance headaches.
Gulf Stream Heavenly Bamboo
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Growth Potential: Up to 4–5 feet tall
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Benefits: Compact growth, multi-season color, non-invasive
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Zones: 6–9
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Maintenance: Low — occasional pruning
Despite its name, Heavenly Bamboo isn’t a true bamboo—it’s a compact ornamental shrub with striking red, orange, and green hues that shift throughout the seasons. New growth emerges with a copper tint, summer brings lush green, and fall transforms it into a fiery red display.
It’s perfect for smaller spaces or layered hedges where full-sized evergreens would overwhelm. Combine several in a row to create a colorful, low-maintenance privacy screen that doubles as a stunning decorative border.
Other Great Privacy Hedge Options
If you want variety or climate-specific solutions, consider these honorable mentions:
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Leyland Cypress: The ultimate fast-grower (up to 4 feet per year) that forms dense green walls.
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Wax Myrtle: A fragrant, salt-tolerant hedge ideal for coastal gardens.
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Holly (Ilex spp.): Adds evergreen foliage with red berries for seasonal flair.
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Boxwood: For more formal hedges with tight, compact growth.
Tips for Growing and Maintaining Privacy Hedges
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Start Strong: Choose healthy, nursery-grown plants and space them properly to prevent crowding.
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Feed and Mulch: Apply organic mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
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Water Deeply: Especially in the first year. Consistent moisture encourages rapid establishment.
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Prune Regularly: Light trimming keeps your hedge dense and encourages new growth.
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Choose the Right Location: Match each species to its preferred sunlight and soil type for optimal growth.
With proper care, your hedge can reach full height within 2–4 years, giving you a living fence that’s both beautiful and functional.
Conclusion
Selecting the right plant for a privacy hedge depends on your region, sunlight, and maintenance preference. Whether you go for the stately Thuja ‘Green Giant’, the elegant Privet, or the colorful Heavenly Bamboo, each brings its own aesthetic and ecological benefits.
A thoughtfully planted hedge does more than create privacy — it establishes tranquility, defines space, and enhances property value. Start your transformation today and enjoy a lush, living barrier that will continue to grow with your landscape.
Downloadable PDF: “Quick-Grow Privacy Hedge Planner”
Design a Private Oasis in Just One Season
Ready to build your own lush green wall? Download ShrubHub’s Quick-Grow Privacy Hedge Planner to discover the perfect plants for your region, design tips for hedge spacing, and maintenance timelines. This free guide walks you step-by-step through selecting, planting, and caring for fast-growing hedges that turn your yard into a peaceful retreat.
Want to see how these plants will look in your yard before you dig?
Get your own 3D landscape design from ShrubHub today!
Our experts will craft a fully customized design that includes fast-growing privacy plants perfect for your zone, soil, and style.
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FAQs
1. What are the fastest-growing plants for privacy?
Thuja ‘Green Giant’ and Leyland Cypress are two of the fastest-growing evergreen options, gaining up to 3–5 feet annually.
2. How far apart should I plant privacy hedges?
Generally, space plants 3–5 feet apart for dense coverage, though spacing depends on the species and desired width.
3. Are privacy hedges high maintenance?
Not necessarily. Most evergreens like Thuja and Western Red Cedar only need annual pruning and occasional watering once established.
4. Can I grow privacy hedges in containers?
Yes—compact species like Heavenly Bamboo and Boxwood are excellent for container-grown privacy screens on patios or decks.
5. When is the best time to plant a privacy hedge?
Fall or early spring are ideal since mild temperatures and moist soil promote strong root development before summer heat arrives.