Top 21 Fast-Growing Privacy Shrubs for Your Yard

Do you dream of turning your outdoor space into a private oasis? Privacy shrubs are a fantastic option to create a secluded retreat on your property. Whether you want to hide an unsightly view, shield your yard from nosy neighbors, or simply add a living backdrop to your garden, fast-growing privacy shrubs can transform your landscape quickly.

When selecting privacy shrubs, it’s essential to choose varieties that have a fast growth rate of about two to three feet per year. Consider the mature size of the plants, as well as their planting and maintenance requirements. Additionally, decide whether you prefer evergreen or deciduous shrubs based on your personal preferences and the climate in your hardiness zone.

To help you make the best choice for your yard, we’ve compiled a list of the top 21 fast-growing privacy shrubs that are perfect for creating a beautiful and secluded outdoor space.

Why Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Shrubs?

Adding privacy shrubs to your yard offers a multitude of benefits beyond just creating a secluded space. Here are a few reasons why fast-growing privacy shrubs are a great addition to any landscape:

Quickly transform your outdoor space into a private retreat.
Shield your yard from unwanted views.
Provide a living backdrop for other plants in your garden.
Enhance the overall aesthetics of your landscape.

Now, let’s dive into the top 21 fast-growing privacy shrubs that you can consider for your yard.

1. Arborvitae

If you’re looking for a fast-growing evergreen privacy shrub, arborvitae (Thuja) is an excellent choice. The ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae variety can reach impressive heights of 50 to 60 feet, making it ideal for creating a large privacy hedge. For a more compact option, consider ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae, which grows to 12 to 14 feet tall. Arborvitae is a great choice for a low-maintenance privacy hedge that offers year-round greenery.

Name: Arborvitae
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2. Yew

Yews (Taxus) are shade-tolerant evergreen shrubs that thrive in various lighting conditions. These slow-growing shrubs add about a foot of growth per year, making them an excellent option for a more controlled privacy hedge. However, it’s worth noting that all parts of yew shrubs are toxic to humans and animals, so take care when planting them in your yard.

Name: Yew
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3. Privet

Privet (Ligustrum spp.) is a familiar evergreen hedge selection known for its fast growth rate of two feet per year. This hardy shrub prunes nicely and produces attractive flowers that lead to winter fruit clusters. While some varieties of privet, such as Japanese privet (L. japonicum), are gaining popularity, it’s essential to note that the fruits and leaves of privet are toxic to humans and pets.

Name: Privet
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4. Cherry Laurel

Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus), also known as English laurel, is a fantastic option for those in warmer climates. With the potential to grow up to three feet per year, this shrub features glossy evergreen leaves and beautiful creamy white spring flowers. Consider the popular cultivar, Schip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’), for a goblet-shaped shrub that can reach 10 to 15 feet in height.

Name: Cherry Laurel
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5. Red Twig Dogwood

The red twig dogwood (Cornus sericea) is a deciduous shrub that stands out in winter with its striking fire-red bark color. While the leaves, berries, and flowers may disappear in the colder months, this fast-growing shrub adds about two feet of height annually, making it an excellent choice for a privacy hedge.

Name: Red Twig Dogwood
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6. Mock Orange

Mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius) is a fragrant deciduous shrub that adds a touch of elegance to any garden. With a growth rate of about two feet per year, this shrub produces beautiful blooms that make it a welcome addition to a privacy hedge.

Name: Mock Orange
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7. Common Lilac

The traditional and common lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a stunning spring shrub known for its fragrant flowers. While it grows about two feet per year, it sheds its leaves in the fall, adding seasonal interest to your privacy hedge.

Name: Common Lilac
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8. Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the earliest spring-flowering shrubs, making it a must-have for any garden. With its bright yellow blooms, forsythia can create a vibrant wall of privacy, growing at a rate of about two feet per year. These deciduous plants spread rapidly, providing a quick privacy solution for your yard.

Name: Forsythia
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9. Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis) features dense, stiff branches that create a unique look for your privacy hedge. This evergreen to deciduous shrub grows at a rate of two feet per year, with cultivars like C. lucidus reaching heights of 6 to 10 feet. While the red berries of cotoneasters are toxic to humans and pets, they provide valuable food for birds.

Name: Cotoneaster
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10. Beautyberry

Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana) is a fast-growing deciduous shrub that adds about two feet of growth annually. Consider pruning it down to within a foot of the ground in early spring to encourage new growth and a bountiful display of berries in the fall.

Name: Beautyberry
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11. Common Ninebark

Named for its exfoliating bark, common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a deciduous shrub that offers a showy display in your garden. The Diablo cultivar, with its dark burgundy foliage, is a standout addition to any privacy hedge. These fast-growing shrubs may reach their mature height in just one year.

Name: Common Ninebark
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12. Pussy Willow

Pussy willow (Salix discolor) is known for its fuzzy white catkins that appear even before the arrival of spring blooms. These extremely fast-growing shrubs can add four to six feet of height per year, making them a unique addition to your privacy hedge.

Name: Pussy Willow
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13. Loropetalum

Loropetalum, also known as Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense), is an evergreen shrub with delicate, fragrant blooms in pink, magenta, or white. With a fast growth rate of two feet annually, this shrub is a lovely choice for adding color and privacy to your yard.

Name: Loropetalum
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14. Canadian Hemlock

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is a versatile evergreen shrub that can be grown as a tree or a shrub, depending on the cultivar. With a fast growth rate of two feet per year, these cold-hardy plants form dense privacy walls, making them an excellent choice for a privacy hedge.

Name: Canadian Hemlock
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15. Burning Bush

Although considered an invasive shrub in North America, the burning bush (Euonymus alatus) is a fast-growing shrub that adds two feet of growth annually. With its stunning fall color and pinkish-red berries, this shrub can make a vibrant addition to your privacy hedge.

Name: Burning Bush
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16. Leyland Cypress

Leyland cypress (x Hesperotropsis leylandii) is a popular choice for a fast-growing evergreen conifer that adds three to five feet of growth per year. With annual or semi-annual pruning, Leyland cypress can be shaped into an excellent privacy hedge or windbreak. While Leyland cypress can be slightly toxic to grazing animals, it is a fantastic option for creating a dense green wall of privacy.

Name: Leyland Cypress
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17. Butterfly Bush

The Butterfly bush is a favorite for pollinator gardens, thanks to its vibrant flowers that attract butterflies and bees. This deciduous shrub can be found in various colors, including pink, white, purple, or lilac. While it sheds its leaves in cooler zones, it remains evergreen in warmer zones 9-13.

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18. Boxwood

Boxwood (Buxus) is a group of slow-growing broadleaf evergreens known for their small, rounded leaves. The Sprinter® cultivar of boxwood offers a faster growth rate, making it an excellent choice for creating a formal hedge. Boxwoods are low-maintenance and suitable for a variety of locations, but it’s essential to note that they are toxic to animals.

Name: Boxwood
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19. Holly

Hollies (Ilex) are a large genus of trees, shrubs, and climbers known for their evergreen leaves and colorful berries. While not all hollies are fast-growing, cultivars like Needlepoint (Ilex cornuta ‘Needlepoint’) and Nellie Stevens (Ilex ‘Nellie R. Stevens’) can add one to two feet of growth per year, making them excellent choices for a privacy hedge.

Name: Holly
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20. Hydrangea

Hydrangeas are beloved for their beautiful flowers and unique leaf shapes that thrive in a variety of soil conditions. With consistent moisture and proper sunlight, these deciduous shrubs can grow at a rate of two feet or more per year, making them a fantastic option for adding privacy to your garden. Keep in mind that hydrangeas are toxic if consumed by humans or animals.

Name: Hydrangea
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21. Juniper

Junipers are evergreen shrubs that come in a wide range of species and cultivars, from tall, narrow forms to low-spreading ground covers. When selecting a juniper for a privacy hedge, pay close attention to the mature height and shape of the cultivar to ensure it fits your needs. Some excellent choices for a privacy hedge include Juniperus virginiana, Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’, and Juniperus communis var. communis.

Name: Juniper
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Best Practices for Creating a Privacy Hedge

Once you’ve selected the right privacy shrubs for your yard, it’s essential to follow best practices to establish and maintain a healthy and thriving privacy hedge. Here are some tips to help you create a beautiful and robust privacy hedge:

Planting: Ensure you follow the recommended spacing guidelines for the selected shrubs to allow them to grow properly without overcrowding.
Pruning: Regular pruning, either annually or semi-annually, is crucial to shape fast-growing shrubs into a neat and attractive hedge. Pruning helps control the height, width, and overall shape of the hedge.
Watering: Provide adequate water to newly planted shrubs to help them establish a robust root system. Once established, water your privacy hedge regularly, especially during dry periods.
Soil Care: Consider the soil conditions in your yard and amend them as needed to provide the best growing environment for your privacy shrubs.
Deer Resistance: Choose shrubs that are deer-resistant to ensure your privacy hedge remains intact and undisturbed by wildlife.

Considerations for Growing Fast-Growing Privacy Shrubs

Before you start planting your privacy hedge, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind to ensure the success of your landscaping project. Here are some factors to consider when selecting and growing fast-growing privacy shrubs:

USDA Hardiness Zones: Choose shrubs that are well-suited to your local climate and hardiness zone to ensure they thrive in your yard.
Light Requirements: Consider the lighting conditions in your yard and choose shrubs that are compatible with the amount of sunlight they will receive.
Watering Needs: Be mindful of the watering requirements of your privacy shrubs and ensure they receive adequate hydration to support healthy growth.
Soil Conditions: Different shrubs have specific soil requirements, so make sure the soil in your yard meets the needs of the selected plants.
Mature Size: Consider the mature size of the privacy shrubs to ensure they fit the space available and provide the desired level of privacy.
Deer Resistance: If deer are common in your area, opt for shrubs that are deer-resistant to avoid damage to your privacy hedge.

By considering these factors and following best practices for planting and maintenance, you can create a beautiful and functional privacy hedge that enhances the beauty and privacy of your outdoor space.

Conclusion

Creating a private and secluded outdoor space is easy with the right fast-growing privacy shrubs. Whether you prefer evergreen varieties like arborvitae and leyland cypress or deciduous options like forsythia and lilac, there are plenty of choices to suit your preferences and landscaping needs.

By selecting the best privacy shrubs for your yard and following proper planting and maintenance practices, you can establish a thriving privacy hedge that enhances the beauty and functionality of your landscape. So, get ready to transform your yard into a private oasis with the top 21 fast-growing privacy shrubs mentioned above.

Remember to consider your hardiness zone, lighting conditions, watering needs, soil requirements, and desired mature size when selecting privacy shrubs for your yard. With a little planning and care, you can enjoy a lush and private outdoor retreat that enhances your outdoor living space.