18+ Fastest Growing Hedge Ideas for Your Garden

If you’re looking to create a serene, private sanctuary in your backyard, fast-growing hedges are a top pick. Let’s dive into some exciting hedge ideas that will transform your space in no time.

1. Thuja Green Giant

Thuja Green Giant hedges offer fast-growing privacy solutions.
Thuja Green Giant hedges offer fast-growing privacy solutions.

The Thuja Green Giant is a powerhouse of growth, shooting up to 5 feet per year under the right conditions. In my own garden, it creates a lush, evergreen wall that provides much-needed privacy.

You might give these a try:

  • All-Purpose Garden Fertilizer: Boost your Thuja Green Giant’s growth with this essential garden fertilizer. Achieve lush greenery effortlessly.
  • Heavy-Duty Pruning Shears: Maintain your Thuja Green Giant’s shape with these durable pruning shears. Keep it looking pristine.
  • Garden Mulch Roll: Protect your Thuja Green Giant’s roots with this garden mulch. Ensure optimal growth and moisture.

2. Green Giant Arborvitae

Green Giant Arborvitae grows fast for big spaces.
Green Giant Arborvitae grows fast for big spaces.

The Green Giant Arborvitae is a towering hedge option that can grow up to 5 feet a year. It’s my go-to for quickly establishing a large, evergreen privacy barrier.

Useful items to consider:

  • Tree and Shrub Fertilizer: Boost your arborvitae’s growth with this effective fertilizer and enjoy a lush privacy screen.
  • Garden Pruning Shears: Keep your Green Giant Arborvitae neat and tidy with these durable pruning shears.
  • Soaker Hose Irrigation Kit: Ensure even watering for your arborvitae with this easy-to-install soaker hose irrigation kit.

3. Virescens Western Red Cedar

Virescens Western Red Cedar for easy privacy.
Virescens Western Red Cedar for easy privacy.

The Virescens Western Red Cedar is a fast-growing hedge perfect for warm regions. I appreciate its upright habit, which makes a great privacy screen with minimal maintenance.

Some ideas to consider:

  • Gardener’s Plant Fertilizer: Boost your cedar hedge growth with this balanced fertilizer for vibrant and healthy greenery.
  • Garden Pruning Shears: Maintain your cedar’s shape and health with these durable and ergonomic pruning shears.
  • Soaker Hose Irrigation Kit: Ensure even watering for your cedar hedge with an eco-friendly soaker hose irrigation kit.

4. Leyland Cypress

Leyland Cypress hedges grow quickly, perfect for privacy.
Leyland Cypress hedges grow quickly, perfect for privacy.

The Leyland Cypress is a go-to for many gardeners, thanks to its rapid growth and tolerance for diverse climates. I once used it to hide an unsightly fence, and it did wonders in just a couple of seasons.

A few relevant products:

  • Fast-Growing Leyland Cypress Trees: Enhance your garden with these fast-growing trees, perfect for privacy and beauty.
  • All-Purpose Plant Fertilizer: Boost your Leyland Cypress growth with this effective, easy-to-use plant fertilizer.
  • Garden Soil for Evergreen Plants: Ensure optimal growth with high-quality soil designed for cypress and other evergreens.

5. English Laurel for Privacy

English Laurel hedges offer dense privacy.
English Laurel hedges offer dense privacy.

The English Laurel is a classic choice for a dense, evergreen hedge. In my own garden, its glossy leaves create a lush, private retreat, growing up to 3 feet each year.

These products might be useful:

  • English Laurel Seeds: Plant these seeds to start growing your own lush, private hedge effortlessly.
  • Garden Pruning Shears: Trim your English Laurel with precision using these durable, sharp pruning shears.
  • All-Purpose Fertilizer: Enhance growth and health of your English Laurel with this versatile, nourishing fertilizer.

6. Yew for Formal Gardens

Yew hedges add elegance to formal gardens.
Yew hedges add elegance to formal gardens.

The Yew hedge is ideal for a formal garden look, growing steadily at 1 foot per year. Its dense, evergreen nature makes it a classic choice in my structured garden designs.

You might like:

  • Hedge Trimmer: Keep your Yew hedge perfectly manicured with this efficient and lightweight hedge trimmer.
  • Garden Pruning Shears: Enhance your garden’s precision with high-quality pruning shears for detailed hedge maintenance.
  • Organic Fertilizer for Evergreen Plants: Promote healthy growth of your Yew hedge with this specially formulated organic fertilizer.

7. Schip Laurel for Shade

Schip Laurel is perfect for shaded garden spaces.
Schip Laurel is perfect for shaded garden spaces.

The Schip Laurel is versatile, thriving in both sun and shade, and grows up to 2 feet per year. I use it in shaded areas where other hedges might struggle.

A few helpful options:

  • All-Purpose Garden Soil: Enhance your Schip Laurel growth with rich, high-quality garden soil ideal for shaded areas.
  • Adjustable Garden Hedge Shears: Keep your Schip Laurel looking neat with these ergonomic, precise garden hedge shears.
  • Organic Plant Fertilizer: Promote healthy Schip Laurel growth with this balanced, organic fertilizer suitable for shade plants.

8. Nellie Stevens Holly

Nellie Stevens Holly combines growth with beauty.
Nellie Stevens Holly combines growth with beauty.

The Nellie Stevens Holly is not only fast-growing but also offers beautiful red berries. I love how it adds a festive touch to the garden, growing up to 3 feet per year.

These products might help:

  • Garden Pruning Shears: Keep your Nellie Stevens Holly tidy and vibrant with these durable pruning shears.
  • Organic Holly Fertilizer: Enhance growth and berry production of your holly with this specialized organic fertilizer.
  • Soaker Hose Irrigation Kit: Ensure your Nellie Stevens Holly stays hydrated effortlessly with this easy-to-use irrigation system.

9. Mock Orange for Fragrance

Mock Orange hedges infuse your garden with fragrance.
Mock Orange hedges infuse your garden with fragrance.

The Mock Orange is a sensory delight with its fragrant white flowers. Growing up to 2 feet per year, it’s perfect for adding a scent of charm to your garden.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Mock Orange Shrub Seeds: Plant these seeds to enjoy a delightful fragrance and vibrant blooms in your garden.
  • Organic Fertilizer for Flowering Shrubs: Boost your Mock Orange growth with this organic fertilizer specially designed for flowering shrubs.
  • Pruning Shears for Garden Maintenance: Keep your Mock Orange in perfect shape with these reliable pruning shears for precise cuts.

10. Forsythia for Early Spring Color

Forsythia hedges bring early spring color to your yard.
Forsythia hedges bring early spring color to your yard.

If you’re after a burst of color, Forsythia is your hedge. It can grow up to 2 feet per year, and its yellow blooms are a cheerful addition to any garden.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Garden Hedge Trimmer: Keep your Forsythia neatly trimmed and flourishing with this efficient garden hedge trimmer.
  • Organic Plant Fertilizer: Boost your Forsythia’s growth and blooms with this nutrient-rich organic plant fertilizer.
  • Drip Irrigation Kit: Ensure consistent watering for your Forsythia with an easy-to-install drip irrigation kit.

11. Lilac for Spring Blooms

Lilac hedges add fragrance and color to your garden.
Lilac hedges add fragrance and color to your garden.

The Lilac hedge is loved for its fragrant blooms and can grow up to 2 feet annually. My lilacs fill the garden with their sweet scent every spring, a real treat!

Might be a good match:

  • Organic Fertilizer for Flowering Plants: Boost your lilac blooms with this natural fertilizer, ensuring vibrant and fragrant spring flowers.
  • Pruning Shears for Garden Care: Easily shape your lilac hedge with these durable pruning shears for healthy plant growth.
  • Automatic Garden Watering System: Keep your lilacs hydrated with an efficient watering system, perfect for hassle-free garden care.

12. Bottlebrush for Tropical Flair

Bottlebrush hedges bring tropical blooms to your space.
Bottlebrush hedges bring tropical blooms to your space.

For a touch of the exotic, the Bottlebrush hedge offers stunning blooms and grows about 1 foot per year. Its vibrant flowers add a tropical feel to any garden.

Check these products out:

  • Garden Pruning Shears: Keep your Bottlebrush neat by using high-quality pruning shears for easy trimming and shaping.
  • Organic Plant Fertilizer: Enhance your Bottlebrush’s growth with this gentle, nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for vibrant blooms.
  • Drip Irrigation Kit: Ensure your Bottlebrush thrives with a drip irrigation kit for effective, water-saving hydration.

13. Camellia for Year-Round Beauty

Camellia hedges offer year-round beauty and color.
Camellia hedges offer year-round beauty and color.

The Camellia hedge is a winter beauty with its evergreen foliage and stunning flowers. In my garden, it blooms beautifully while maintaining a steady growth of about 1 foot per year.

Consider these options:

  • Camellia Fertilizer: Enhance your Camellia’s growth and blooms with this specially formulated fertilizer for vibrant color.
  • Pruning Shears: Maintain your Camellia hedge’s shape and health with these durable, easy-to-use pruning shears.
  • Mulch for Acid-Loving Plants: Protect your Camellia’s roots and retain soil moisture with this mulch ideal for acid-loving plants.

14. Hawthorn for Wildlife

Hawthorn hedges foster a wildlife-friendly garden.
Hawthorn hedges foster a wildlife-friendly garden.

The Hawthorn hedge is a wildlife haven, growing 1-2 feet per year. Its nectar-rich flowers and berries attract a diverse range of garden visitors, which I love to see in my garden.

Possibly handy products:

  • Wildlife Garden Bird Feeder: Enhance your wildlife haven with a bird feeder that attracts delightful garden visitors.
  • Organic Plant Fertilizer: Boost your Hawthorn hedge growth with this organic fertilizer for vibrant flowers and berries.
  • Pollinator Habitat Kit: Support your garden’s wildlife by creating a welcoming space for essential pollinators.

15. Portuguese Laurel for Coastal Areas

Portuguese Laurel excels in coastal areas.
Portuguese Laurel excels in coastal areas.

The Portuguese Laurel thrives in coastal climates, growing up to 1.5 feet a year. Its dense habit provides excellent privacy, and I find it particularly resilient against salty winds.

Some handy options:

  • Slow-Release Fertilizer for Shrubs: Nourish your Portuguese Laurel with this slow-release fertilizer for vibrant growth and resilience.
  • Heavy-Duty Pruning Shears: Keep your Portuguese Laurel well-shaped and healthy with these precise, durable pruning shears.
  • Organic Pest Control Spray: Protect your Portuguese Laurel from pests with this eco-friendly, effective organic pest control spray.

16. Wavy Leaf Ligustrum

Wavy Leaf Ligustrum adds a unique touch to your garden.
Wavy Leaf Ligustrum adds a unique touch to your garden.

For something a bit different, the Wavy Leaf Ligustrum offers a unique texture with its undulating leaves. It’s a personal favorite of mine for adding character to hedges while growing up to 3 feet annually.

Products that could assist:

  • Hedge Trimmers: Trim your hedges effortlessly for a neat look with our ergonomic hedge trimmers.
  • Garden Fertilizer: Boost growth and vitality of your Ligustrum with our balanced garden fertilizer.
  • Mulch for Shrubs: Retain moisture and suppress weeds around your shrubs with top-quality mulch.

17. American Arborvitae for Cold Climates

American Arborvitae thrives in cold climates.
American Arborvitae thrives in cold climates.

The American Arborvitae is a hardy hedge, perfect for colder climates, and grows 1-2 feet annually. Its resilience in my northern garden makes it a reliable choice for winter.

May just do the trick:

  • Cold Climate Tree Fertilizer: Boost your Arborvitae’s growth and health with specially formulated cold climate fertilizer today.
  • Winter Tree Protection Wrap: Protect your Arborvitae from winter damage using durable and effective tree wrap.
  • Evergreen Plant Food Spikes: Ensure continuous nutrition for your Arborvitae with easy-to-use evergreen plant food spikes.

18. Flame Amur Maple

Flame Amur Maple offers dramatic fall foliage.
Flame Amur Maple offers dramatic fall foliage.

The Flame Amur Maple is a deciduous option that flames into reds and oranges in fall. It’s a stunning seasonal change that grows around 2 feet annually in my experience.

A few things you might like:

  • Maple Tree Fertilizer: Enhance your Flame Amur Maple’s growth and vibrant colors with this specialized fertilizer.
  • Pruning Shears for Maples: Keep your Amur Maple healthy and well-shaped with sturdy pruning shears.
  • Organic Mulch for Maples: Protect your Flame Amur Maple’s roots and retain moisture with organic mulch.

Text: Katherine Mitchell