21 Fast-Growing Privacy Shrubs to Transform Your Yard into a Secluded Retreat

Creating privacy in your outdoor space doesn’t require waiting decades for slow-growing plants to mature.

With the right selection of fast-growing shrubs, you can establish a living privacy screen in just a few seasons.

These rapid growers not only shield your yard from prying eyes but also reduce noise pollution, block unsightly views, and create habitat for local wildlife.

Many offer additional benefits like seasonal flowers, colorful foliage, or attractive berries.

Ready to reclaim your outdoor sanctuary?

Explore these 21 fast-growing privacy shrubs that combine quick results with lasting beauty for your landscape.

1: Leyland Cypress

This evergreen powerhouse grows an impressive 3-4 feet per year, quickly creating a dense privacy screen.

Leyland cypress reaches heights of 40-60 feet with a spread of 15-20 feet if left unpruned.

You’ll appreciate its soft, feathery foliage that remains green year-round and its ability to thrive in various soil conditions.

Plant these 6-10 feet apart for a solid privacy hedge.

Regular pruning keeps this vigorous grower in check, preventing it from outgrowing its space.

2: Green Giant Arborvitae

Expect 3-5 feet of growth annually from this adaptable evergreen, which forms a natural pyramidal shape without much pruning.

Green Giant withstands heavy snow loads without splaying open.

This disease-resistant alternative to Leyland cypress grows to 30-40 feet tall with a 12-15 foot spread.

Plant them 5-8 feet apart for a seamless privacy screen.

You’ll enjoy their low maintenance requirements and ability to thrive in various soil types and light conditions.

3: Bamboo

Various bamboo species offer incredibly fast growth, with some varieties growing several feet in just one growing season.

Choose clumping varieties over running types to prevent unwanted spread.

The distinctive vertical growth habit creates an exotic, contemporary screen that rustles pleasantly in the breeze.

Heights range from 8 to 40+ feet depending on the variety.

Install root barriers if planting running bamboo to contain its enthusiastic growth habit.

4: Privet

This traditional hedge plant grows up to 2 feet annually and responds well to heavy pruning, allowing you to shape it precisely.

Both deciduous and evergreen varieties are available.

You’ll get a dense, uniform hedge when plants are spaced 12-18 inches apart.

Most varieties reach 10-15 feet tall if left unpruned but can be maintained at any height.

The small white flowers attract pollinators, but consider that some privet species can be invasive in certain regions.

5: Forsythia

Brighten your privacy screen with forsythia’s spectacular early spring display of brilliant yellow flowers before its leaves emerge.

This deciduous shrub grows 1-2 feet per year.

You’ll enjoy its arching branches that reach 8-10 feet tall and equally wide, creating a natural privacy barrier.

Plant them 4-6 feet apart for a continuous screen.

Minimal pruning immediately after flowering keeps this low-maintenance privacy option looking its best.

6: Photinia

The new growth of this evergreen shrub emerges bright red before maturing to deep green, creating a striking two-tone effect.

Photinia grows quickly at 2-3 feet per year.

You can train it as a hedge, screen, or small tree, with heights reaching 10-15 feet and a spread of 5-8 feet.

White flower clusters appear in spring, adding seasonal interest.

Regular pruning encourages more of the distinctive red new growth throughout the growing season.

7: Wax Myrtle

This versatile native evergreen grows 3-5 feet annually, quickly forming a dense, natural-looking screen.

Wax myrtle’s aromatic foliage naturally repels insects, making your outdoor space more enjoyable.

You’ll appreciate its salt tolerance if you live near the coast and its ability to thrive in wet conditions. Heights reach 10-15 feet with a similar spread.

The blue-gray berries on female plants attract birds while adding winter interest to your living privacy fence.

8: Leylandii Hedge

This hybrid conifer grows an astonishing 3-4 feet per year, making it one of the fastest privacy solutions available.

The soft, feathery foliage creates a solid wall of green year-round.

You can maintain this vigorous grower at any height between 8-20 feet through regular pruning.

Plant 3 feet apart for quick screening results.

This adaptable evergreen tolerates poor soil and urban pollution but requires consistent pruning to prevent it from becoming unmanageable.

9: Holly

Several holly varieties grow quickly at 2-3 feet per year while providing year-round privacy with their dense, evergreen foliage.

The spiny leaves create a natural security barrier.

You’ll enjoy the classic red berries on female plants during winter, adding color to your privacy screen and attracting birds.

Heights range from 15-30 feet depending on variety.

For best berry production, plant male companions nearby to ensure proper pollination.

10: Ninebark

This native deciduous shrub grows 2-3 feet annually, with colorful foliage options including purple, copper, and gold.

The exfoliating bark adds winter interest when leaves drop.

You’ll appreciate ninebark’s tolerance for various soil conditions and its resistance to most pests and diseases.

Heights range from 5-10 feet with a similar spread.

White or pink flower clusters attract pollinators in late spring, followed by red fruit that birds enjoy.

11: Red Twig Dogwood

Gain 2-3 feet of growth annually from this deciduous shrub with multi-season interest.

The brilliant red stems provide striking winter color after leaves drop, ensuring year-round visual appeal.

You’ll enjoy white spring flowers, summer berries attractive to birds, and vibrant fall foliage. Heights typically reach 8-10 feet with a similar spread.

This adaptable shrub tolerates wet conditions and partial shade, making it perfect for challenging areas.

12: Skip Laurel

This evergreen shrub grows 1-2 feet per year, creating a dense privacy screen with glossy, dark green leaves that remain attractive all year.

Skip laurel reaches 10-18 feet tall and 5-7 feet wide.

You’ll appreciate its ability to thrive in deep shade where other shrubs struggle. Fragrant white flower spikes appear in spring, adding seasonal interest.

This versatile shrub tolerates pruning well, allowing you to maintain it at your preferred height and shape.

13: Viburnum

Several viburnum varieties grow quickly at 1-2 feet per year while offering multi-season interest.

These adaptable shrubs provide privacy with their dense branching habit.

You’ll enjoy fragrant spring flowers, colorful fall foliage, and berries that attract birds.

Heights range from 6-12 feet with a similar spread depending on variety.

These low-maintenance shrubs adapt to various light conditions from full sun to partial shade.

14: Rose of Sharon

This deciduous hibiscus grows 1-2 feet annually while providing summer privacy with tropical-looking flowers from July through September.

Heights reach 8-12 feet with a spread of 6-10 feet.

You’ll enjoy the wide range of flower colors including white, pink, purple, and blue. The upright, vase-shaped habit creates an effective seasonal screen.

Plant these 4-6 feet apart for a flowering privacy hedge that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

15: Italian Cypress

For dramatic vertical privacy, Italian cypress grows 2-3 feet per year in a naturally columnar form requiring minimal pruning.

The blue-green evergreen foliage provides year-round screening.

You’ll appreciate its slender profile (just, 3-5 feet wide) while reaching heights of 30-40 feet, making it perfect for narrow spaces. Plant 3 feet apart for a living fence.

This Mediterranean native thrives in hot, dry conditions once established, requiring little supplemental water.

16: Pittosporum

This versatile evergreen grows 1-2 feet annually with variegated or solid green foliage options.

The dense growth habit creates effective privacy screening with heights of 8-12 feet.

You’ll enjoy the fragrant white flowers that appear in spring, filling your garden with a sweet orange blossom scent. Most varieties spread 4-6 feet wide.

This adaptable shrub tolerates coastal conditions and responds well to pruning, allowing you to maintain a formal or natural shape.

17: Purple Beautyberry

Create a showstopping privacy screen with this deciduous shrub that grows 1-2 feet per year.

While the green summer foliage provides seasonal privacy, the spectacular purple berries steal the show in fall.

You’ll enjoy the arching branches that reach 5-7 feet tall and equally wide, creating a natural barrier.

The berries persist after leaves drop, providing winter interest.

This low-maintenance native attracts birds and butterflies while resisting most pests and diseases.

18: Euonymus

Several euonymus varieties grow quickly at 1-2 feet per year with evergreen or deciduous options available.

The dense branching habit creates effective privacy screening.

You’ll appreciate the variegated foliage choices that brighten shady areas, with heights ranging from 6-15 feet depending on variety.

Many types offer colorful fall displays.

These adaptable shrubs tolerate urban conditions including poor soil and air pollution.

19: Hibiscus

These tropical-looking shrubs grow 1-2 feet annually while providing summer privacy with their large, showy flowers and broad leaves.

Heights range from 8-15 feet depending on variety.

You’ll enjoy the impressive dinner-plate sized blooms that appear from summer through fall in colors including red, pink, white, and purple. Plant them 3-5 feet apart for a flowering screen.

The deciduous nature provides summer privacy when you’re using your outdoor spaces most.

20: Loropetalum

This evergreen shrub grows 1-2 feet per year with distinctive foliage in shades of purple, burgundy, or green.

Loropetalum reaches heights of 10-15 feet with a spread of 6-10 feet.

You’ll enjoy the fringe-like flowers that appear in spring in shades of pink or white, creating a colorful privacy screen.

The unique foliage color adds year-round interest.

This low-maintenance option resists most pests and diseases while tolerating various soil conditions.

21: False Cypress

Several varieties grow 1-3 feet annually with foliage colors ranging from gold to blue-green.

The feathery texture creates a soft, elegant privacy screen with heights of 20-50 feet if unpruned.

You’ll appreciate the aromatic foliage that remains attractive year-round. Most varieties spread 10-20 feet wide when mature.

These versatile evergreens tolerate pruning well, allowing you to maintain them at your desired height and shape.

Conclusion

With these fast-growing privacy shrubs, you’ll enjoy seclusion in your outdoor space sooner than you thought possible.

Choose varieties that match your climate, space constraints, and aesthetic preferences for best results.