Elevate Your Privacy with 9 Breezily Growing Hedges

Posted on 05/06/2025

Elevate Your Privacy with 9 Breezily Growing Hedges

Looking to cultivate a sense of seclusion in your outdoor space? Fast-growing hedges are one of the best solutions for elevating privacy in your garden, backyard, or even your front lawn. Not only do breezily growing hedges create a lush green barrier, but they also enhance aesthetics, muffle noise, and provide wildlife habitats. If you're in search of greenery that will deliver tall, dense screening in a short period of time, read on to discover the top 9 rapidly growing hedge plants for ultimate privacy and beauty.

Why Choose Breezily Growing Hedges for Privacy?

When it comes to creating a private oasis, fast-growing privacy hedges offer numerous advantages over traditional fencing or other forms of screening. Some of these benefits include:

• Year-round privacy and security
• Natural beauty and appeal
• Noise reduction and windbreak capabilities
• Wildlife friendly, supporting birds and beneficial insects
• Increased property value with minimal maintenance

Let's explore the best hedge plants that will help you raise your privacy levels in no time.

Top 9 Breezily Growing Hedges for Privacy

1. Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)

Praised for its resilience and rapid growth, the Western Red Cedar is an evergreen conifer ideal for tall, dense privacy screens. It can grow up to 2-3 feet per year under optimal conditions, quickly reaching impressive heights of 20-30 feet or more.

• Growth rate: Fast (2-3 feet/year)
• Sun requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Key benefit: Year-round privacy with aromatic, lush green foliage
• Care tips: Water deeply during the first few years, mulch to retain moisture, and prune lightly for shape.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant')

If you desire a hedge that offers speedy growth, hardiness, and disease resistance, Green Giant Arborvitae is your best bet. Reaching heights of 20-40 feet, it can form a thick, uniform privacy wall in just a few seasons.

• Growth rate: Extremely fast (3-5 feet/year)
• Climate adaptability: Hardy in USDA zones 5-9
• Ideal as: Breezy privacy barriers for large yards & communities
• Low maintenance and deer-resistant nature

3. English Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

For those seeking glossy, broadleaf evergreen hedging, English Laurel is a popular choice. This plant grows up to 2 feet per year and fills out beautifully, making it perfect for lush, green privacy screens.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Features: Dense, large leaves; white spring flowers
• Great for: Urban gardens, noise buffering
• Can grow in sun or shade, but prefers well-drained soil.

4. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Not only fast-growing but also striking in appearance, Portuguese Laurel rapidly forms thick, elegant privacy hedges. Its glossy, dark green leaves and red stems provide year-round interest.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Key advantage: Tolerates pruning, shade, and urban conditions
• Grows to around 12-18 feet if left untrimmed
• Resistant to drought once established

5. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)

The word privet is synonymous with hedging and privacy. Known for its robust, rapid growth and adaptability, privet can create a thick hedge in just a couple years. Varieties like Ligustrum ovalifolium ('California Privet') are especially popular for their versatility.

• Growth rate: Rapid (2-3 feet/year)
• Benefits: Tolerates heavy pruning, pollution, and urban environments
• Appearance: Small, oval leaves and fragrant white flowers in summer
• Great for shaping into formal or informal hedges

6. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus 'Rotundifolia')

Cherry Laurel is famed for its shiny, thick foliage and bulletproof nature. It's one of the most popular hedges for breezy privacy because it thrives in a variety of environments, tolerates deep shade, and can be trimmed to various heights.

• Growth rate: 1.5-2 feet/year
• Highlights: Dense structure, broad leaves, attractive white blossoms in spring
• Perfect for shielding patios, pools, and play areas
• Non-toxic to pets and children

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

If you want a hedge with a pop of color, Photinia 'Red Robin' is an excellent choice. With blazing red young leaves that mature to glossy green, it ensures your privacy hedge stands out with visual flair.

• Growth rate: 1-2 feet/year
• Key benefit: Attractive red growth, small white flowers
• Responds well to regular trimming and shaping
• Ideal for: Both formal and informal privacy hedges

8. Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens)

Though traditionally regarded in formal garden design, Boxwood can also grow rapidly and provide year-round privacy when left to mature. Its small, dense leaves respond beautifully to pruning for thick, low-maintenance hedges.

• Growth rate: Moderate to fast with proper care
• Key attributes: Versatile, elegant, evergreen
• Garden style: Classical, modern, or cottage aesthetics
• Withstands tough winters and can live for decades

9. Bamboo (Clumping varieties like Fargesia & Bambusa multiplex)

Bamboo has earned acclaim as one of the quickest growing privacy solutions. Opt for clumping bamboo varieties for garden-friendly behavior that won't overrun your landscape. Its tall, graceful canes and lush leaves create an exotic, breezy living screen in just a year or two.

• Growth rate: Extremely fast (up to 5 feet/year)
• Best for: Contemporary spaces, urban privacy, windbreaks
• Bonus: Non-invasive (clumping types), low maintenance, and drought-tolerant once established
• Stays green year-round and sways gently with the breeze

How to Choose the Right Privacy Hedge for Your Space

Each garden is unique, and choosing the best hedge for privacy depends on your specific goals and growing conditions. To make an informed decision, consider these essential factors:

• Climate compatibility: Select plants that thrive in your USDA hardiness zone
• Sunlight: Some hedges love full sun, while others thrive in shade
• Soil type & drainage: Well-drained, fertile soil produces the healthiest hedges
• Ultimate height and spread: Pick a species that won't outgrow your allotted space
• Maintenance:
• Time and effort for pruning
• Watering needs
• Feeding and fertilization
• Aesthetic preferences: Evergreen vs. deciduous, leaf color, flowering, and form

Consult your local nursery for advice on what grows best in your region. The right hedging plants for privacy will grow vigorously, look good year-round, and be easy to maintain.

Planting Tips for Fast-Growing Hedging Success

Ensuring your hedges grow swiftly and remain healthy requires proper site preparation and ongoing care. Follow these steps for lush, effective privacy hedges:

• Space plants appropriately: Crowding can inhibit growth; consult nursery tags for spacing guidelines.
• Dig wide, shallow holes: Amend soil with compost for a nutrient-rich start.
• Water regularly during the establishment phase (usually the first two years).
• Mulch with organic matter to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Feed with balanced fertilizer in early spring for extra vigor.
• Prune lightly in the early years to encourage bushy, thick growth.

Maintaining Your Breezily Growing Privacy Hedges

Once established, these fast-growing hedges require minimal maintenance compared to fences or walls. To keep your green barrier thriving:

• Prune regularly to maintain desired shape and prevent overgrowth.
• Irrigate during dry spells to prevent stress and browning.
• Watch for pests and diseases--pick varieties known for resistance for worry-free privacy hedging.
• Check for nutrient deficiencies and top-dress with compost or fertilizer as needed.

A few hours of care each season will give you years of robust, natural screening and a more peaceful environment.

FAQs about Elevating Privacy with Breezily Growing Hedges

Which hedge grows the fastest for privacy?

Green Giant Arborvitae and clumping bamboo varieties top the list for sheer speed, often reaching 3-5 feet of new growth annually when well cared for.

How close should I plant hedges for maximum privacy?

Spacing depends on variety, but generally, 2-3 feet apart for small-leaved hedges (e.g., boxwood) and 3-5 feet for larger species (e.g., laurel or arborvitae) ensures dense growth.

Are there any privacy hedges that stay green all year?

Absolutely! Most selections in our list, including Western Red Cedar, English Laurel, Green Giant Arborvitae, and Boxwood, are evergreen and will retain their foliage and color year-round.

Can I grow hedges for privacy in pots?

Certain varieties, like boxwood, privet, and dwarf bamboo, thrive in large containers, offering flexibility for patios and small urban spaces.

Conclusion: Transform Your Space with Breezily Growing Hedges

Choosing the right fast-growing privacy hedges can dramatically improve your outdoor living experience. Whether you want to block unsightly views, dampen noise, or simply carve out your own sanctuary, these breezily growing hedges offer nature's best answer for practical, attractive privacy.

Start your hedge journey today, and soon you'll enjoy a vibrant green barrier that elevates not just your privacy, but your entire landscape. With thoughtful plant selection and minimal care, you'll unleash the full beauty and functionality of these remarkable living screens.

Ready to elevate your privacy? Select from these 9 breezily growing hedges and enjoy peace, beauty, and seclusion for years to come!