If you want to block out unwanted views, hide unattractive plants, or enjoy some peace and quiet from neighbors, privacy bushes for backyard use are a great choice. Try to get bushes that can grow at least 2 to 3 feet a year. The evergreen or deciduous status of the plants, their planting and maintenance needs, and their eventual growth are all crucial factors to think about.
Here is a list of eight of the best privacy shrubs that grow quickly.
1. Arborvitae
Many evergreen or varied kinds exist, each with its own unique growth rate and final size. The rapidly spreading Green Giant can reach a height of 50 to 60 ft and a width of 12 to 20 ft, making it an excellent option for big privacy hedges. The Emerald Green Arborvitae is slower growing and a better choice for a compact hedge that is 12 to 14 ft tall and 3 to 4 ft wide.
2. Privet
One common evergreen hedge option is privet. This shrub produces clusters of fruit in the winter from its blossoms, grows quickly at about 2 ft each year, and is easy to manage. Japanese privet and other decorative variants have surpassed ligustrum vulgare as the most popular privet to plant. However, humans and cats alike are poisoned by privet fruits and leaves.
3. Common Lilac
Traditional and common lilac, also known as Syringa vulgaris, is a beautiful shrub that blooms in spring and has aromatic flowers. Although it loses its leaves every fall, it still grows nearly 2 ft annually.
4. Forsythia
Spring arrives as the buds of the Forsythia tree begin to open. These plants bloom among the first shrubs to emerge in spring, grow at a rate of approximately 2 ft each year, and form yellow walls of seclusion. These fast-growing plants are deciduous.
5. Burning Bush
In spite of its invasive status in North America, the burning bush is a vigorous shrub that expands quickly to a height of 2 ft per year. It produces bright red or pinkish-red berries and has a beautiful fall coloration.
6. Leyland Cypress
A hybrid of the Alaskan Cedar and Monterey Cypress, the Leyland Cypress is a tenacious evergreen. They can reach a height of 3 ft in a year. When pruned once or twice a year, Leyland creates a beautiful windbreak or privacy hedge. It is possible that grazing animals are mildly poisoned by Leyland Cypress.
7. Boxwood
About 70 species of tiny leathery-leafed, slow-growing broadleaf evergreens make up the boxwood genus. If you’re looking for a shrub that grows quickly, go for the Sprinter cultivar. Plants like Pula Seer veran saut aosa are common in ornamental settings. Boxwoods thrive in a wide range of environments, require minimal care, and are easy to cultivate.
8. Hydrangea
You may find hydrangeas in nearly any soil type, and they come in a rainbow of bloom hues and leaf shapes. This deciduous shrub can reach a height of 2 ft or more in a year. With regular watering and good light, the growth pattern of the cultivar you choose should be considered when planning your privacy hedge.
Conclusion
With the right choice of fast-growing bushes, you can design a backyard that offers beauty and privacy. Whether you prefer evergreen walls like Arborvitae or colorful seasonal blooms like Lilac, these shrubs provide excellent natural screens.
For more gardening ideas, check out our internal guide on low-maintenance backyard landscaping. You can also explore advice from trusted sources such as the University of Minnesota Extension for professional planting and care tips.
