Nine lush and fast-growing hedges to secure your private space

Posted on 20/05/2025

In today's world, outdoor privacy is more important than ever. Whether you're looking to block prying eyes, reduce noise, or simply create a green retreat, installing a natural barrier is a wonderful solution. Hedges are not only attractive and sustainable, but with the right species, they can offer rapid coverage and all-season beauty. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to nine lush and fast-growing hedges to secure your private space--providing inspiration and practical advice for your garden transformation.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy?

When it comes to securing your personal outdoor oasis, fast-growing hedging plants have a clear advantage. Here's why:

Immediate Results: These hedges establish a robust barrier in just a few seasons, making them perfect for new homeowners or urgent privacy needs.
Natural Beauty: Green walls create a lush backdrop, improving air quality and attracting beneficial wildlife.
Noise Reduction: Dense living walls dampen sound, making them ideal for urban and suburban gardens alike.
Versatility: Hedges can be shaped, sized, and tailored to suit any landscape design.

Let's dive into the top species that thrive as fast-growing privacy hedges in a variety of climates and settings.

landscape design garden

1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

The Ultimate Choice for Height and Speed

If you're seeking a rapid-growing evergreen hedge, you can't go wrong with Leyland Cypress. Known for its upright, feathery foliage and impressive growth rate--up to 3 feet (90cm) per year!--Leyland Cypress creates a virtually impenetrable screen in record time.

Plant Details:

Growth Rate: Very fast (up to 3 feet per year)
Best Use: Tall privacy barriers for large gardens or expansive areas
Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Maintenance Tip: Prune annually to maintain desired height and prevent legginess

2. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Lush and Evergreen Privacy Hedging

Cherry Laurel or English Laurel is a classic hedge plant chosen for its broad, glossy, deep-green leaves and vigour. This luxuriant shrub forms a thick living wall, making it one of the best for rapid privacy screening.

Key Features:

Growth Rate: Fast (1-2 feet per year)
Soil Tolerance: Adapts to most soil types, even urban conditions
Best For: Dense evergreen screens, even in shade
Tip: Responds well to hard clipping; shape as desired.

3. Privet (Ligustrum species)

Traditional and Versatile Fast-Growing Hedge

Privet hedges have graced both urban and rural boundaries for generations, thanks to their unbeatable speed and reliability. Their small leaves, robust growth, and tolerance of regular trimming make them ideal for formal or informal boundaries.

Benefits:

Growth Rate: Up to 2 feet (60cm) per year
Light Requirements: Adaptable to sun or shade
Customization: Can be clipped into a neat low hedge or left to grow for maximum privacy
Tip: Select evergreen types (such as Ligustrum ovalifolium) for all-year screening

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

Striking Colour and Year-Round Interest

For color lovers, Photinia 'Red Robin' is a standout choice. Its young, fiery red leaves provide a dramatic contrast against mature green foliage. This fast-growing specimen quickly forms a dense, evergreen hedge that's both beautiful and functional for garden privacy.

Why Photinia?

Distinctive foliage: Vibrant red new growth
Growth Rate: 1-2 feet (30-60cm) per year
Best For: Stylish urban hedges
Bonus: Attractive clusters of white spring flowers

5. Bamboo (Phyllostachys and Fargesia species)

Contemporary, Evergreen, and Ultra-Fast

Bamboo's slender canes and lush foliage deliver instant height and an exotic touch to gardens. Certain clumping bamboo species (especially Fargesia) are non-invasive but just as effective for forming a fast-growing privacy hedge.

Highlights:

Growth Speed: Up to 3 feet (90cm) per year, depending on species
Evergreen: Maintains privacy year-round
Best For: Narrow boundaries, modern landscapes, or pot-grown screens
Tip: Always select non-invasive varieties to avoid garden spread

6. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

Classic Deciduous, Persistent Privacy

Hornbeam hedges are admired for their toughness, rich green summer foliage, and the fact that many leaves remain on branches throughout winter--offering extended privacy versus many other deciduous species.

Hornbeam Fast Facts:

Growth Rate: Up to 18 inches (45cm) annually
Soil Tolerance: Thrives on heavy or clay soils
Seasonal Versatility: Holds brown leaves through winter
Great For: Formal and rustic gardens alike

7. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Elegant and Rapidly Growing Evergreen Hedge

If you're after a rich, dark green look with distinctive red stems, Portuguese Laurel delivers impressive density and speedy growth. This refined species is more compact than cherry laurel, making it perfect for neat, upright hedges in both modern and traditional gardens.

Main Advantages:

Growth Rate: Up to 18 inches (45cm) per year
Appearance: Small, glossy leaves on reddish branches
Best Use: As a formal evergreen boundary or feature hedge

8. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Fragrant and Ever-Fresh Privacy Hedging

Thuja or Western Red Cedar is prized for its fine, deep green foliage and surprisingly speedy growth. It forms a soft, dense screen that's great for blocking views and muffling street noise. The foliage emits a pleasant fragrance, especially after rain.

Key Benefits:

Growth Rate: 1-2 feet (30-60cm) per year
All-Year Privacy: Stays green and full even in winter
Scent: Aromatic foliage

9. Escallonia (Escallonia species)

Flowering, Coastal, and Fast-Maturing

Ideal for milder climates and coastal areas, Escallonia is a quick-growing evergreen with glossy leaves and beautiful clusters of red, pink, or white flowers. Its salt-tolerant nature makes it a standout for seaside privacy, but it also flourishes further inland.

Fast Facts:

Growth Rate: 1-2 feet (30-60cm) per year
Flowering: Summer blooms attract pollinators
Best For: Decorative hedges in exposed sites

Selecting the Right Hedge for Your Private Space

Choosing the ideal fast-growing hedge for your yard depends on key factors, including your climate, available space, maintenance preferences, and the overall look you want to achieve. Follow these tips for the best results:

1. Assess Your Site

Sun vs. Shade: Some species (like laurel or privet) tolerate shade, while others (such as Leyland cypress) crave sun.
Soil Conditions: Check if your soil is clay, sand, or chalk, and consider drainage needs.
Exposure: For windy or coastal areas, pick salt- and wind-tolerant varieties (like Escallonia or hardy laurels).

2. Determine Height & Width Needed

How much privacy do you need? Taller hedges like Leyland Cypress or bamboo are perfect for complete screening, while lower ones form cozy enclosures.
Space considerations: Some hedges grow wide; others, such as Portuguese Laurel or Photinia, can be more easily contained.

3. Match Maintenance to Your Lifestyle

Clipping and shaping: All hedges benefit from yearly pruning, but if you want a more relaxed garden, choose slower or naturally bushy options.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous: Decide whether you need year-round privacy or are happy with seasonal changes.

Boosting Your Hedge's Growth and Density

A lush, healthy hedge doesn't just depend on the right plant choice – good establishment and care are essential. Here's how to ensure your privacy screen matures quickly and stays beautiful:

Soil preparation: Dig compost and organic matter into your planting trench before installing your hedge.
Regular watering: Young hedges need consistent moisture, especially throughout their first few years.
Mulching: Apply bark chips or well-rotted manure in early spring to retain water and suppress weeds.
Feeding: Use slow-release fertilizer formulated for shrubs in spring for extra vigor.
Clipping: Annual (or biannual) trimming encourages bushy growth—and helps create an ultra-dense privacy barrier.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges

How long will it take to have a fully established privacy hedge?

Results depend on the species and your growing conditions, but most fast-growing hedge plants will give you substantial screening within 2-4 years.

What if I want an instant hedge?

Instant hedging units (pre-grown, mature plants) are available for some species but cost significantly more. Invest time in young plants for the best value and long-term health.

Can I mix more than one species in a hedge?

Absolutely! Mixed hedging can maximize biodiversity, seasonal interest and resilience, but be sure to pick species with similar growth rates and pruning requirements for a harmonious result.

Conclusion: Invest in Nature's Natural Barrier

With the right selection, your garden or outdoor area can transform into a private, verdant retreat in just a few short years. These nine lush and fast-growing hedges to secure your private space are proven, hardy choices for every landscape—offering shelter, beauty, and peace of mind. Whether you choose the bold feathery spires of Leyland Cypress, the glossy foliage of laurel, the modern lines of bamboo, or the floral display of Escallonia, you'll reap the rewards of privacy, cleaner air, and a touch of green serenity.

Explore your options, plant thoughtfully, and watch your natural screen thrive--guarding your sanctuary for years to come!