13 Fast Growing Shrubs to Make Your Garden More Private

Pussy willow rockets up four to six feet a year, flashing fuzzy catkins before spring hits. It drops leaves in winter, but that growth rate means quick privacy. You’ll love how fast it hides your space, making it a fun, fluffy wall with little effort.

• Hardy zones: 2a-7b
• Mature size: 10-20 ft tall, 8-12 ft wide
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Forsythia screams spring with yellow blooms that spread two feet annually. It’s deciduous, so it drops leaves, but that fast growth builds a sunny barrier quickly. You’ll find it perfect for a cheerful hedge that blocks views and lifts your mood every year.

• Hardy zones: 5-8b
• Mature size: 3-10 ft tall, 4-7 ft wide
• Soil: Moist, well-drained

Loropetalum’s frilly pink or white blooms and evergreen leaves grow two feet a year. It’s a stunner that keeps your yard private and colorful. Tuck it in a sunny corner, and you’ll enjoy a lush, fragrant screen that doesn’t quit, no matter the weather.

• Hardy zones: 7b-9b
• Mature size: 6-8 ft tall, 6-8 ft wide
• Soil: Rich, loamy, acidic

Ever tried cherry laurel? Its glossy leaves and white spring blooms make it a standout, growing up to three feet annually. You’ll get a lush, evergreen screen that’s tough as nails. Plant it where it’ll catch some sun, and watch it transform your yard into something special.

• Hardy zones: 5b-9b
• Mature size: 10-20 ft tall, 5-10 ft wide
• Soil: Rich, well-drained

Red twig dogwood’s fiery bark steals the show when leaves drop, growing two feet a year. It’s deciduous, sure, but that bold red keeps your hedge popping in winter. You’ll enjoy how it adds color and privacy, no matter the season, with almost no hassle.

• Hardy zones: 2a-7b
• Mature size: 5-9 ft tall, 5-10 ft wide
• Soil: Rich, fertile, moist

Mock orange fills your yard with sweet blooms and a two-foot yearly boost. It’s deciduous, dropping leaves in fall, but those flowers make it worth it. Plant it along a fence, and you’ll love the fragrance and seclusion it brings without needing constant attention.

• Hardy zones: 4a-8b
• Mature size: 10-12 ft tall, 8-10 ft wide
• Soil: Well-drained loamy

Need height fast? Leyland cypress piles on three feet a year, making a dense evergreen shield. Prune it regularly, and you’ve got a windbreak or privacy wall that towers over everything. It’s a big win for seclusion with just a bit of shaping.

• Hardy zones: 6a-10b
• Mature size: 60-70 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide
• Soil: Clay, loamy, sandy

Common ninebark’s burgundy leaves and peeling bark grow fast—sometimes maturing in a year. It’s deciduous, but that dark foliage adds drama to your hedge. Plant it, and you’ll get a striking privacy wall that’s low-maintenance and keeps your yard looking sharp all season.

• Hardy zones: 2a-8b
• Mature size: 5-10 ft tall, 6-10 ft wide
• Soil: Clay or loamy

‘Green Giant’ arborvitae grows like a champ, hitting 50 feet if you let it run wild. You’ll love how fast it fills in—perfect for a tall hedge that blocks out the world. Plant it in a sunny spot, and it’ll turn your yard into a private oasis without much effort on your part.

• Hardy zones: 5a-8b
• Mature size: 12-60 ft tall, 4-12 ft wide
• Soil: Well-drained loamy

Nothing says spring like common lilac’s fragrant flowers, growing two feet a year. It sheds leaves in the fall, but that bloom season? Unbeatable. You can line your yard with these for a scented wall that keeps things private and pretty, all with minimal upkeep.

• Hardy zones: 3a-7a
• Mature size: 8-15 ft tall, 6-12 ft wide
• Soil: Loamy

Privet’s a classic for a reason—it shoots up two feet a year and prunes into a tight, evergreen wall. Those little flowers and winter berries? Pure bonus. You can shape it however you like, making it a go-to for hiding neighbors or framing your space with style.

• Hardy zones: 4a-10b
• Mature size: 4-15 ft tall, 4-10 ft wide
• Soil: Well-drained, rich

Hydrangeas pack on two feet or more yearly, flashing colorful blooms that scream summer. They’re deciduous, but that growth speed builds a thick hedge fast. You’ll love how they hide your space while adding flower power—just keep them watered for the best show.

• Hardy zones: 3a-9b
• Mature size: 2-6 ft tall, 2-6 ft wide
• Soil: Clay, loam, sandy

Holly’s evergreen leaves and berries—like ‘Nellie Stevens’—grow one to two feet a year. It’s a reliable pick for a dense, prickly wall that lasts. Plant both male and female for fruit, and you’ll get a privacy hedge that’s tough and timeless with minimal care.

• Hardy zones: 6a-9b
• Mature size: 15-30 ft tall, 8-10 ft wide
• Soil: Clay, loam, sand, well-draining