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Boost Your Property's Privacy with 9 Expeditious-Growing Hedges
Posted on 14/08/2025
Boost Your Property's Privacy with 9 Expeditious-Growing Hedges
Are you looking to increase privacy around your property quickly and effectively? Creating a natural barrier using fast-growing hedges is a practical solution that not only safeguards your sanctuary but also adds beauty and value to your landscape. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore 9 of the best expeditious-growing hedges to elevate your privacy, with tips on how to select, plant, and maintain them for a lush, green sanctuary.
Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?
Choosing expeditious-growing hedges for privacy is a savvy move for homeowners seeking a natural barrier that establishes itself quickly. Compared to traditional fencing, privacy hedges:
- Grow densely and can reach considerable heights to block unwanted views.
- Serve as a windbreak and contribute to noise reduction.
- Add value and curb appeal to your property.
- Provide habitats for birds and beneficial pollinators.
- Improve air quality and offer seasonal interest with blooms, colorful leaves, or berries.
If you desire quick results and a sustainable, attractive border, read on for the best privacy hedges that won't keep you waiting years to enjoy their benefits.
Top 9 Expeditious-Growing Hedges to Shield Your Property
1. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja x 'Green Giant')
When it comes to fast-growing privacy hedges, Green Giant Arborvitae is a leading choice. This resilient evergreen can quickly provide dense coverage, making it ideal for large properties or those exposed to windy conditions.
- Growth Rate: Up to 3 feet per year
- Height & Spread: Grows 30-40 feet tall, 10-12 feet wide
- Best For: Wide green screens, tall privacy, noise buffering
- Care: Tolerates most soils, drought and deer-resistant
2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
For immediate privacy screens, the Leyland Cypress stands out with its rapid vertical growth and lush, soft needles. Its uniform appearance forms an enviable evergreen wall.
- Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 40-60 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide
- Best For: Large landscapes, screening roads or neighbors
- Care: Prefers full sun, needs regular watering when young
Tip: Regular pruning keeps Leyland Cypress compact and manageable.
3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Privet hedges have a long-standing reputation for growing quickly and densely, making them ideal for homeowners who desire classic formality as well as privacy.
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 8-15 feet tall, 4-6 feet wide
- Best For: Formal hedges, shaping into topiaries, cutting for neatness
- Care: Tolerant of various soils, can be semi-evergreen or evergreen based on climate
4. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
The Cherry Laurel is prized for its glossy, evergreen leaves and vigorous growth. It makes an excellent choice for year-round privacy and an elegant backdrop.
- Growth Rate: 2-3 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 8-18 feet tall, 5-7 feet wide
- Best For: Dense, wide hedges, shaded areas where other plants struggle
- Care: Adapts well but prefers moist, well-drained soil
5. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri 'Red Tip')
For a splash of color alongside privacy, Photinia dazzles with its vivid red new growth--a distinctive characteristic. With pruning, it forms a thick and colorful barrier.
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 10-15 feet tall, 8-10 feet wide
- Best For: Colorful screens, attracting birds
- Care: Full sun to part shade, prefers well-drained soil
6. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp. and Fargesia spp.)
If you need ultra-rapid results, certain bamboo species outperform nearly any other privacy plant. Bamboo provides a lush, exotic appearance and can create impenetrable screens if contained properly.
- Growth Rate: 3-5 feet per year (some species even faster)
- Height & Spread: 10-30+ feet tall, spreads if uncontained*
- Best For: Contemporary landscapes, tight spaces
- Care: Select clumping bamboos to prevent spreading; rhizome barriers may be needed for running types
*Note: Certain bamboo can be invasive. Consult an expert before planting.
7. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)
Traditionally admired for its compact growth and neat shape, Boxwood is a slower hedgerow choice. However, newer cultivars like 'Green Mountain' offer improved growth rates, especially when well-cared-for.
- Growth Rate: 6-12 inches per year (faster for new cultivars)
- Height & Spread: 4-8 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide
- Best For: Formal evergreen hedges, foundation plantings
- Care: Prefers filtered sun, moist fertile soil, responds well to shaping
8. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)
The Portuguese Laurel boasts glossy foliage and a trim habit, maturing quickly into a dense privacy wall. Its hardiness makes it suitable for a wide range of climates.
- Growth Rate: 1.5-2 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 10-20 feet tall, 5-10 feet wide
- Best For: Urban gardens, windbreaks
- Care: Responds well to regular pruning, tolerates varying soils
9. Pyramidalis Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis')
With its strictly upright growth and narrow footprint, Pyramidalis Arborvitae is ideal for tight spaces and modern landscapes, all while providing robust privacy.
- Growth Rate: 1-2 feet per year
- Height & Spread: 12-15 feet tall, 3-4 feet wide
- Best For: Small gardens, side yards, pathways
- Care: Full sun to part shade, consistent moisture
Factors to Consider When Selecting Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges
Not all hedges are created equal! Before making your selection, consider these essential factors to ensure your property's privacy border thrives for years to come:
- Climate Adaptability - Check USDA zones and choose a species suited to your region.
- Soil Type - Test your soil's drainage and pH; most hedges do best in loamy, well-drained conditions.
- Desired Height & Width - Guesstimate the mature size to avoid crowding or excessive trimming.
- Evergreen vs. Deciduous - For year-round privacy, opt for evergreens.
- Maintenance Level - Some hedges grow fast but require regular pruning to stay tidy.
- Pest & Disease Resistance - Select modern cultivars bred for resilience.
- Allergies & Safety - Some plants have toxic leaves or berries; check before planting near children or pets.
How to Plant and Care for Expeditious Privacy Hedges
Preparation is Key
- Site Selection: Choose a spot with adequate sunlight. Most hedges need at least 4-6 hours of direct light.
- Spacing: Space plants according to their mature width for optimal density, generally 2/3 of their ultimate width apart.
- Soil Preparation: Amend soil with compost or organic matter to encourage healthy root development.
- Watering: Provide ample water especially in the first year. Install soaker hoses for hassle-free irrigation.
Planting Your Hedge
- Dig a trench twice as wide and as deep as the root balls.
- Set plants at the same level they were growing in their containers.
- Backfill with a mixture of native soil and compost, watering well to remove air pockets.
- Mulch generously to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Establishing and Maintaining Your Privacy Hedge
- Water deeply the first two seasons until roots establish.
- Fertilize in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for robust growth.
- Prune new hedges lightly to encourage bushy growth. Mature hedges need annual shaping (once after the main flush of growth).
- Monitor for pests such as aphids and scale, and treat promptly.
Keeping up with hedge maintenance ensures results are both stunning and sustainable.
Alternatives to Fast-Growing Hedges
If space or maintenance is a concern, consider other natural privacy solutions such as:
- Mixed shrub borders that combine several species for interest
- Trellised vines (such as evergreen clematis or star jasmine)
- Ornamental grasses for a softer look
- Layered planting with trees, shrubs, and underplantings
While expeditious-growing privacy hedges have unmatched speed and density, these options offer flexibility for unique landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Expeditious-Growing Hedges for Privacy
How fast will I see results from my privacy hedge?
Most fast-growing hedges show noticeable height and density within one to two growing seasons. Full privacy may take 3-5 years depending on the species and initial planting size.
Which hedge grows the fastest?
For rapid screening, Leyland Cypress and Green Giant Arborvitae are among the quickest, potentially adding 3-5 feet per year under optimal conditions.
Are fast-growing hedges high-maintenance?
Many quick-growing hedges require annual pruning to maintain shape. Watering, fertilizing, and occasional pest management are essential, especially when the hedge is young.
Can I trim hedges to keep them a certain size?
Absolutely! Most privacy hedges respond well to shaping, which helps them thicken. Pruning stimulates new side growth and maintains your desired height.
What are the best hedges for small spaces?
Compact growers like Pyramidalis Arborvitae or improved Boxwood varieties are excellent for narrow borders and small gardens.
Conclusion: Transform Your Sanctuary with Fast-Devoloping Privacy Hedges
Choosing expeditious-growing hedges is a smart investment for homeowners eager to create a private, serene space in record time. With careful selection, planting, and maintenance, your selected hedge will serve as a green barrier, a wildlife haven, and a year-round asset to your property's value and enjoyment.
From the towering Leyland Cypress to lush Cherry Laurel and dazzling Photinia, there's a hedge on this list for every garden and every taste. Start today and watch your property transform into the secluded retreat you've been dreaming of!
