Accelerate Your Backyard Privacy with These 9 Hedges

Posted on 06/06/2025

Accelerate Your Backyard Privacy with These 9 Hedges

Looking to create a secluded oasis in your own backyard? If you're tired of feeling exposed to nosy neighbors, street traffic, or just want a peaceful retreat outdoors, hedges offer a natural, fast, and aesthetically pleasing solution. In this comprehensive guide, discover the best fast-growing hedges for privacy that can transform your space quickly and beautifully. From dense evergreens to flowering favorites, explore these nine top choices to supercharge your backyard privacy.

Why Choose Hedges for Backyard Privacy?

When it comes to creating a private backyard, you have several options--fences, walls, pergolas, and more. But nothing compares to the living barrier of a hedge. Here's why:

• Natural Beauty: Hedges create a lush, green backdrop that no fence or wall can match.
• Year-Round Screening: Many privacy hedges are evergreen, offering cover in all seasons.
• Wildlife Habitat: Birds, bees, and butterflies benefit from the shelter and food sources hedges provide.
• Noise Reduction: Dense foliage can significantly muffle street noise compared to solid structures.
• Property Value: A well-kept hedge can possibly boost curb appeal and property worth.

What Makes a Hedge a Great Privacy Screen?

The best privacy hedges grow quickly, offer dense foliage, are easy to maintain, and suit your region's climate. Let's explore the top nine hedges that excel at shielding your outdoor space.

9 Fast-Growing Hedges to Accelerate Backyard Privacy

1. 1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus x leylandii)

   When you need quick privacy in your backyard, Leyland Cypress often tops the list. Growing up to 3 feet per year, this evergreen conifer forms a dense, towering screen in a short amount of time.

   • Growth Rate: 2-3 feet/year
   • Mature Height: 40-60 feet (but can be pruned to desired size)
   • Foliage: Soft, feathery, and richly green
   • Care: Low maintenance once established; drought tolerant

   Pro tip: Plant young Leyland Cypress trees 6-10 feet apart for the quickest results.

2. 2. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis and Thuja plicata)

   Arborvitae, often called Emerald Green or Green Giant, is one of the most popular hedges for backyard privacy. These evergreens form a thick, year-round barrier and require minimal shaping.

   • Growth Rate: 2-5 feet/year (Green Giant)
   • Mature Height: 12-50 feet (varies by variety)
   • Foliage: Soft, scale-like; stays green even in winter
   • Care: Tolerates many soil types and urban environments

   To accelerate growth and density, plant Arborvitae in full sun.

3. 3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

   Want a classic, formal look? The privet hedge is a time-tested favorite for fast privacy. Its thick leaves and upright growth form a reliable screen in as little as a single season.

   • Growth Rate: 2-3 feet/year
   • Mature Height: 8-12 feet (easily shaped by pruning)
   • Foliage: Glossy green, sometimes semi-evergreen in mild winters
   • Care: Benefits from regular trimming for a dense, tidy form

   Note: Privet can flower and produce berries, attracting pollinators, but be aware in some regions it's considered invasive.

4. 4. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

   For the ultimate in speedy privacy, clumping bamboo is hard to beat. Unlike running bamboos, clumping types are non-invasive and grow in tidy, upright clumps.

   • Growth Rate: Up to 5 feet/year
   • Mature Height: 10-20 feet (depending on variety and location)
   • Foliage: Graceful, slender green canes and lush leaves
   • Care: Needs occasional thinning but is otherwise easy

   Choose hardy varieties like Bambusa or Fargesia for cold climates; plant in containers in small gardens to control spread.

5. 5. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

   Boxwood is a timeless hedge option, known for its ability to be shaped and maintained at various heights. If you prefer a formal, classic look, boxwood is your best bet.

   • Growth Rate: 6-12 inches/year (faster in optimal conditions)
   • Mature Height: 2-12 feet depending on the variety
   • Foliage: Small, glossy, evergreen leaves
   • Care: Regular pruning enhances density and form

   Tip: Boxwood tolerates partial shade and fits well with both modern and traditional landscape designs.

6. 6. Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)

   If you want both privacy and year-round color, Photinia is a gorgeous hedge option. Its new growth unfurls in bright red, maturing to a deep green.

   • Growth Rate: 1-2 feet/year
   • Mature Height: 10-15 feet
   • Foliage: Evergreen; red-bronze new leaves add drama
   • Care: Needs regular pruning to maintain compact growth

   Photinia also produces clusters of white flowers in spring, attracting pollinators to your garden.

7. 7. Holly (Ilex spp.)

   Holly hedges boast glossy, evergreen leaves and often, bright red berries. They offer dense cover and are excellent for a long-lasting privacy hedge.

   • Growth Rate: 12-24 inches/year
   • Mature Height: 6-30 feet (varies with species)
   • Foliage: Shiny, spined, dark green leaves plus attractive berries (on female plants)
   • Care: Prune in late winter or early spring for the best shape

   Note: Plant both male and female hollies to ensure berry production and maximize wildlife value.

8. 8. Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)

   Native to the southern U.S., Wax Myrtle is an ideal fast-growing privacy shrub for humid and mild climates. Its fragrant leaves and adaptability to poor soils make it highly desirable.

   • Growth Rate: 3-5 feet/year
   • Mature Height: 10-15 feet
   • Foliage: Aromatic, glossy green, semi-evergreen
   • Care: Thrives with minimal care once established

   Wax Myrtle tolerates salt and wind, making it perfect for coastal landscapes looking to fast-track privacy.

9. 9. Viburnum (Viburnum tinus and others)

   Viburnums are versatile shrubs offering dense cover, clusters of white or pink blooms, and even berries, depending on the species. They're excellent for both privacy and seasonal interest.

   • Growth Rate: 12-24 inches/year
   • Mature Height: 6-15 feet (depending on variety)
   • Foliage: Evergreen or semi-evergreen, with glossy or leathery textures
   • Care: Drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established

   Viburnum tinus is especially popular for winter blooms in milder climates.

What to Consider When Selecting Privacy Hedges

Choosing the right hedge for fast backyard privacy comes down to several important factors:

• Climate: Match your selection to your USDA zone for optimal growth and health.
• Soil and Water: Check that your hedge selection suits your garden's soil and water availability.
• Height & Spread: Decide how tall and wide you need your privacy hedge.
• Growth Rate: Some hedges fill in faster but may need more frequent pruning.
• Maintenance Level: Consider how much time you're willing to spend trimming and shaping.
• Allergies & Wildlife: Flowering or fruiting shrubs can attract pollinators and wildlife.

Planting Tips to Jumpstart Your Hedge Growth

No matter which species you choose, you can accelerate privacy in your backyard by planting and caring for your hedges properly:

• Spacing: Check recommended distances for your specific hedge. Plant closer together for faster coverage, but not so close that roots compete excessively.
• Soil Preparation: Enrich the soil with compost and mulch to encourage vigorous root development.
• Watering: Water regularly for the first two years to help plants establish deep roots.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support rapid, healthy growth.
• Pruning: Regular trimming encourages dense, bushy foliage and maintains a tidy shape.
• Pest & Disease Control: Monitor for issues, especially during the first few seasons of growth.

Creative Ideas for Backyard Privacy Hedges

While a traditional row of green shrubs forms an effective screen, you can get creative when designing your backyard privacy with hedges:

• Mix Varieties: Combine two or three hedge types for color, texture, and seasonal interest.
• Hedge with Flowers: Opt for flowering shrubs like viburnum or Photinia to add color and fragrance.
• Layered Planting: Place taller, fast-growing privacy hedges at the back and lower-flowering shrubs or perennials in front.
• Curved Lines: Sway away from straight lines--gentle curves make your green barrier feel more natural.
• Espalier: Train certain hedge plants against walls or fences for beautiful, space-saving screens.

FAQ: Accelerate Your Backyard Privacy with Hedges

• Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?
  Leyland Cypress and clumping bamboo are among the fastest-growing privacy hedge options, both offering yearly growth rates of up to 3-5 feet under optimal conditions.
• What are the lowest-maintenance privacy hedges?
  Arborvitae and Wax Myrtle are known for low maintenance needs once established, requiring minimal pruning and tolerant to a range of soil types.
• How close should I plant my privacy hedges?
  Generally, space plants according to their mature width--usually 2-6 feet apart. For instant privacy, plant shrubs a bit closer but not crowded.
• What is the best hedge for privacy that is also pet-friendly?
  Avoid toxic varieties like yew, laurel, and oleander if you have pets. Boxwood and wax myrtle are generally safe for pets and provide excellent privacy.

Conclusion: Fast Track Your Backyard Privacy Today

There's no need to wait years for backyard seclusion. By choosing fast-growing, dense hedge varieties, you can accelerate your privacy and enjoy a serene outdoor space in just a few seasons. Whether your style is natural, formal, flowering, or evergreen, these nine privacy hedges offer something for every setting.

With the right selection, planting, and care, you'll be well on your way to a beautiful, private, and peaceful backyard sanctuary--no fence required! Now is the perfect time to accelerate your backyard privacy with hedges and enhance your landscape's beauty and function for years to come.