20 Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy That Transform Any Yard

In today’s busy world, having a private and peaceful outdoor space is more valuable than ever. Whether you live in a crowded neighborhood or simply want to create a cozy backyard retreat, fast growing shrubs for privacy are the perfect solution. These versatile plants not only provide instant green screens but also enhance the beauty of your landscape with their foliage, flowers, and seasonal interest. Unlike fences, shrubs feel more natural, soften the look of your garden, and can even attract birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing fast growing shrubs for privacy is that they establish quickly, giving you the seclusion you need without waiting for years. From evergreen varieties that stay lush year-round to flowering shrubs that add color and fragrance, the options are endless. By carefully selecting the right plants for your climate and design style, you can enjoy both function and beauty in your garden. Whether you want a formal hedge, a rustic woodland barrier, or a mix of textures, these shrubs can help you build the perfect natural wall.

Let’s explore some of the best choices that grow quickly and provide lasting privacy, while also enhancing your outdoor sanctuary.

1. Arborvitae (Thuja Green Giant)

Arborvitae, especially the popular Thuja Green Giant, is one of the most widely used fast growing shrubs for privacy. Known for its tall, dense growth, it can quickly form a living wall that blocks out noise, wind, and unwanted views. This shrub grows about 3–5 feet per year under the right conditions, making it an excellent option for those who want fast results. Its lush green foliage stays vibrant throughout the year, ensuring that your garden remains private in every season.

Aside from its rapid growth, Arborvitae is also low-maintenance. It thrives in a variety of soils, tolerates drought once established, and is resistant to pests and diseases. Planting these in a row creates a structured, elegant screen that requires little trimming to maintain. For homeowners looking for a reliable and evergreen solution, Arborvitae remains one of the top choices.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is another highly effective option when it comes to fast growing shrubs for privacy. Some clumping bamboo varieties can reach heights of 15–20 feet in just a couple of years, creating an exotic, tropical vibe in your backyard. The tall, graceful canes paired with lush green leaves form a dense barrier that sways beautifully in the breeze, making it both practical and visually appealing.

What makes bamboo even more attractive is its versatility. It can be grown in containers to control spread or planted directly in the ground for a dramatic natural wall. Besides privacy, bamboo also provides sound insulation and shade, creating a peaceful retreat. For those who want a modern, stylish look with quick results, bamboo is an excellent and eco-friendly choice.

3. Forsythia

Forsythia is one of the most cheerful fast growing shrubs for privacy, especially during spring. Known for its bright yellow flowers that bloom early in the season, this shrub not only creates a privacy barrier but also adds a burst of color when most plants are still waking up from winter. It grows rapidly, often reaching up to 8–10 feet in height, and spreads widely to form dense hedges.

This shrub is perfect for homeowners who want privacy with a splash of seasonal charm. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, requiring minimal care once established. When planted in groups or rows, Forsythia forms a thick living screen that not only blocks views but also enhances curb appeal. For those who appreciate both beauty and function, this shrub delivers on both fronts.

4. Privet (Ligustrum)

Privet is a classic choice among fast growing shrubs for privacy because of its dense foliage and adaptability. It can grow several feet per year and is often used for hedging due to its ability to be trimmed and shaped easily. A row of Privet shrubs creates a lush green wall that remains attractive throughout the growing season, giving you reliable seclusion and beauty.

In addition to its growth speed, Privet offers seasonal interest with small white flowers in spring and berries that attract birds in the fall. It thrives in a variety of soil types and conditions, making it suitable for most gardens. Whether you prefer a neat, formal hedge or a more natural-looking barrier, Privet gives you the flexibility to design your outdoor space as you wish.

5. Lilac (Syringa)

Lilac is one of the most fragrant fast growing shrubs for privacy, combining practical screening with breathtaking beauty. Known for its stunning clusters of purple, white, or pink blooms, Lilac can grow 8–15 feet tall and forms a dense hedge when planted in groups. Its rapid growth and bushy habit make it a great choice for creating privacy while adding color and charm to the landscape.

One of the best features of Lilac is its fragrance, which fills the air in late spring and early summer. Beyond its blooms, its leafy structure provides a thick green wall during the rest of the growing season. With proper care and pruning, Lilac can thrive for decades, offering privacy and elegance year after year. It’s the perfect shrub for homeowners who want their gardens to smell as good as they look.

6. Red Twig Dogwood

Red Twig Dogwood is a striking option among fast growing shrubs for privacy, thanks to its bold red stems and dense foliage. In spring and summer, it fills with lush green leaves and small white flowers, creating a thick screen that adds beauty to your outdoor space. During fall, its foliage turns a beautiful shade of red or purple, and in winter, the bare red twigs provide a stunning contrast against snow or frost. This makes it a four-season shrub that offers privacy and visual interest all year round.

It typically grows between 6–10 feet tall, spreading wide to create a natural hedge. Red Twig Dogwood thrives in moist soil and can adapt to both sunny and partially shaded areas, making it a versatile choice. If you want a shrub that not only offers quick privacy but also brings vibrant seasonal color, this plant is a great addition to your garden.

7. Mock Orange (Philadelphus)

Mock Orange is another elegant choice when considering fast growing shrubs for privacy. This deciduous shrub grows quickly and can reach heights of 10–12 feet, forming a lush green wall that screens your outdoor space. The highlight of Mock Orange is its intoxicatingly fragrant white flowers that bloom in late spring or early summer, filling your garden with a citrus-like scent.

In addition to its fragrance and beauty, Mock Orange has a dense growth habit that makes it ideal for creating hedges or natural barriers. It requires minimal care once established and thrives in well-drained soil with full to partial sun exposure. Its combination of fragrance, flowers, and privacy benefits makes it a perfect shrub for homeowners who want both beauty and function in their landscape.

8. Weigela

Weigela is a colorful, flowering option among fast growing shrubs for privacy. Known for its trumpet-shaped pink, red, or white flowers, this shrub grows quickly and reaches up to 8–10 feet in height. Its arching branches and dense foliage provide a beautiful barrier, making it an excellent choice for adding privacy while still keeping your garden bright and cheerful.

Weigela is also loved by pollinators, especially hummingbirds and butterflies, which adds life and vibrancy to your garden. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade, and it requires very little maintenance beyond occasional pruning. If you want a shrub that offers privacy along with seasonal blooms, Weigela delivers both charm and functionality.

9. Viburnum

Viburnum is one of the most versatile fast growing shrubs for privacy, with varieties that range from evergreen to deciduous. Many species can grow 8–12 feet tall and form dense, leafy hedges that block views effectively. Viburnum shrubs often produce clusters of white or pink flowers, followed by berries that attract birds, adding seasonal interest beyond their lush greenery.

This shrub adapts well to different soil conditions and can handle full sun to partial shade. With its fast growth and low-maintenance care, Viburnum is ideal for homeowners looking for a reliable, long-lasting solution. Whether planted as a standalone hedge or mixed with other shrubs, Viburnum provides year-round coverage and beauty.

10. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

Rose of Sharon is a stunning flowering shrub that doubles as one of the best fast growing shrubs for privacy. This hardy plant can grow 8–12 feet tall, with a spread wide enough to form thick hedges. In summer, it bursts into bloom with large, hibiscus-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, blue, or white, making it both a privacy barrier and a show-stopping centerpiece.

Unlike some flowering shrubs, Rose of Sharon is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established. It thrives in sunny spots and provides a long blooming season, ensuring months of color alongside its dense green foliage. For homeowners who want privacy without sacrificing beauty, this shrub offers the best of both worlds.

11. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)

Butterfly Bush is a vibrant and practical choice among fast growing shrubs for privacy. This plant is famous for its long, cone-shaped clusters of purple, pink, or white flowers that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. It grows rapidly, often reaching 8–12 feet tall in just a few seasons, making it an excellent natural barrier. Its dense foliage and arching branches create a thick wall of greenery that adds both privacy and beauty to your outdoor space.

What makes Butterfly Bush particularly appealing is its low-maintenance nature. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerates drought, and continues to bloom from summer into early fall. While it creates effective privacy, it also fills your garden with vibrant life and color. This shrub is ideal for homeowners who want to combine quick-growing coverage with an eco-friendly plant that supports pollinators.

12. Oleander

Oleander is one of the hardiest fast growing shrubs for privacy, especially in warmer climates. It can grow 10–15 feet tall, with glossy evergreen leaves and clusters of showy flowers in shades of pink, white, or red. This shrub’s thick growth makes it an excellent choice for creating a solid hedge that blocks unwanted views and noise. Its long blooming season also ensures that your privacy hedge doubles as a beautiful focal point in the garden.

In addition to its beauty, Oleander is known for being drought-tolerant and adaptable to poor soils, making it easy to care for once established. It thrives in full sun and hot conditions where many other shrubs may struggle. For homeowners in warm regions who want a robust and colorful privacy screen, Oleander is one of the top picks.

13. Photinia (Red Tip Photinia)

Photinia, especially the Red Tip variety, is a striking shrub that works perfectly as one of the best fast growing shrubs for privacy. Its new leaves emerge bright red before maturing into a glossy green, creating a beautiful contrast that makes hedges look lively and colorful. Growing up to 10–15 feet tall, this shrub provides a dense barrier that ensures year-round privacy.

Beyond its striking appearance, Photinia is a tough and adaptable plant. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and can be pruned into neat, formal hedges or left to grow more naturally. Its rapid growth rate makes it a favorite for those who want quick results without waiting for years. With its bold foliage and lush growth, Photinia is both practical and ornamental.

14. Pittosporum

Pittosporum is another excellent option in the category of fast growing shrubs for privacy. This evergreen shrub is known for its dense, compact growth and attractive foliage, often with a silvery or variegated edge. Depending on the variety, it can grow 6–15 feet tall, forming a thick hedge that blocks views effectively while still looking elegant.

One of the best things about Pittosporum is its adaptability. It can thrive in full sun or partial shade and tolerates coastal conditions, making it great for seaside gardens. Many homeowners also appreciate its small, fragrant flowers, which add an extra layer of charm. For those who want a versatile, fast-growing shrub that blends beauty with practicality, Pittosporum is a fantastic choice.

15. Cotoneaster

Cotoneaster is a hardy and versatile plant that serves well as one of the most reliable fast growing shrubs for privacy. With its dense growth habit, it can quickly form a thick wall of greenery. Many varieties produce small white or pink flowers in spring, followed by clusters of bright red berries in autumn, which attract birds and add seasonal interest to the garden.

This shrub typically grows 8–12 feet tall, making it suitable for medium to large hedges. Cotoneaster is also adaptable to various soil conditions and requires minimal maintenance once established. Its year-round foliage and seasonal accents make it both a functional privacy screen and an attractive addition to the landscape. For homeowners looking for durability with a touch of natural charm, Cotoneaster is an excellent choice.

16. Boxwood

Boxwood is a classic evergreen shrub and a reliable choice among fast growing shrubs for privacy. It is best known for its ability to be shaped into neat hedges or left in a more natural, free-growing form. While it doesn’t grow as tall as some other shrubs, it can still reach 8–10 feet in height and grows densely, providing an effective screen. Its vibrant green foliage stays fresh all year round, ensuring year-long coverage.

One of Boxwood’s biggest advantages is its versatility. It thrives in both sun and partial shade and adapts well to various soil types. Because it responds beautifully to pruning, homeowners often use Boxwood to create formal garden hedges or elegant borders that double as privacy screens. Its timeless appeal and consistent growth make it a go-to choice for both traditional and modern landscapes.

17. Cherry Laurel

Cherry Laurel is one of the most popular fast growing shrubs for privacy due to its lush evergreen leaves and rapid growth rate. It can easily reach heights of 15–20 feet, forming a thick, impenetrable wall that keeps prying eyes out. Its glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers in spring add extra beauty to its functional purpose as a privacy screen.

This shrub is also very resilient. It thrives in sun or shade and adapts to different soil conditions, making it a low-maintenance option for many homeowners. Because of its dense growth and adaptability, Cherry Laurel is often planted in rows to create tall, luxurious hedges that require little upkeep once established. For instant coverage and elegance, this shrub is hard to beat.

18. Escallonia

Escallonia is a flowering evergreen that works beautifully as one of the best fast growing shrubs for privacy. It produces clusters of pink, white, or red flowers during the summer months, which stand out against its glossy green leaves. Growing between 8–10 feet tall, Escallonia makes an excellent hedge that adds seasonal charm while keeping your garden private.

This shrub is particularly well-suited for coastal areas since it tolerates salt and wind very well. It thrives in full sun and needs only occasional pruning to maintain its shape. With its combination of year-round greenery and colorful blooms, Escallonia is ideal for those who want their privacy hedge to also double as a decorative feature.

19. Spirea

Spirea is a fast-growing, deciduous shrub that combines beauty and practicality. Known for its arching branches and clusters of white or pink flowers, Spirea can grow quickly to heights of 5–8 feet, making it an attractive option among fast growing shrubs for privacy. While not as tall as some evergreen options, it spreads wide and creates a dense screen that fills in quickly.

This shrub is also loved for its seasonal charm. In spring and summer, it bursts into bloom, while in fall, its leaves turn shades of orange and red, adding color to the landscape. Spirea is hardy, low-maintenance, and adaptable to different soil types, making it a reliable choice for homeowners who want both beauty and quick coverage.

20. Ligustrum (Japanese Privet)

Ligustrum, also known as Japanese Privet, is one of the fastest-growing shrubs commonly used for privacy. It can grow several feet per year and quickly reach heights of 10–15 feet, creating a tall and thick hedge. Its glossy green leaves remain attractive throughout the year, while its clusters of small white flowers in spring add seasonal beauty.

What makes Ligustrum especially appealing is its toughness. It tolerates poor soils, urban pollution, and drought, making it a dependable choice for busy homeowners. With occasional pruning, it can be shaped into a neat hedge or left in a more natural form. For anyone seeking a low-maintenance yet effective solution, Ligustrum is one of the top fast growing shrubs for privacy.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right fast growing shrubs for privacy can completely transform your outdoor space. Whether you prefer evergreen shrubs that stay lush all year or deciduous shrubs that add seasonal color, there are plenty of options to suit your style and needs. Shrubs like Leyland Cypress, Arborvitae, Privet, and Bamboo offer rapid growth and dense coverage, while flowering varieties such as Spirea and Escallonia bring beauty along with privacy. The key is to match the shrub to your climate, soil conditions, and desired level of maintenance.

By planting these shrubs strategically, you can create a natural barrier that not only enhances privacy but also boosts curb appeal, reduces noise, and provides a habitat for wildlife. Investing in fast growing shrubs is a long-term solution that combines functionality with aesthetic appeal, giving you a private retreat in your garden.

FAQs on Fast Growing Shrubs for Privacy

Q1: What is the fastest growing shrub for privacy?
Leyland Cypress and Bamboo are among the fastest growing shrubs, capable of growing several feet per year, making them ideal for quick privacy screens.

Q2: How tall can privacy shrubs grow?
Most fast growing shrubs for privacy can reach between 8 to 20 feet in height depending on the type, with some like Leyland Cypress reaching up to 40–50 feet.

Q3: Do privacy shrubs require a lot of maintenance?
It depends on the shrub. Evergreen types like Arborvitae and Boxwood require minimal care, while flowering varieties may need seasonal pruning to stay healthy and attractive.

Q4: Are fast growing shrubs good for small gardens?
Yes, but it’s important to choose compact varieties like Boxwood or Spirea for small spaces, as larger shrubs may overwhelm the area.

Q5: Do privacy shrubs stay green all year?
Evergreen shrubs like Arborvitae, Boxwood, and Cherry Laurel stay green year-round, while deciduous ones like Spirea lose their leaves in winter but provide seasonal beauty.