Introduction

If you’re looking for privacy fast, planting the right trees and bushes can transform your space from exposed to secluded in a single season. Whether you’re trying to block a neighbor’s window, create a private patio retreat, or line your property with natural screening, this guide covers quickest growing trees and privacy bushes that are not only beautiful but functional.

We’ve analyzed search trends and expert recommendations to bring you the top picks gardeners are actually looking for—like fast growing privacy trees, privacy bushes, and evergreen hedges. Let’s dig in.

🧠 Considerations When You Buy – Choosing the Right Privacy Plants

Before you rush to the nursery or add shrubs to your cart, take a moment to plan wisely. Not all privacy plants are created equal, and understanding a few key factors can save you from costly mistakes—or disappointing results.

🌲 Evergreen vs. Deciduous

Do you need year-round privacy, or just summer screening?

• Evergreens (like arborvitae or laurel) keep their foliage all year, offering constant coverage—even in winter.
• Deciduous plants (like lilacs or forsythia) lose their leaves in fall, which can leave your space exposed until spring.

Tip: A mixed planting of both can give you fast growth with seasonal interest and lasting coverage.

📏 Size Matters – At Planting and Maturity

Don’t be fooled by a small pot at the garden center—always consider the mature height and width of your privacy plants.

• Some trees grow over 40 feet tall and need ample spacing.
• Dense hedges like privet or boxwood require regular pruning to maintain shape.
• Tall screens may need support structures or windbreak planning.

Measure your space and check root spread potential to avoid crowding or root interference with structures. See our nursery buying guide to choosing the best plants.

💧 Proper Irrigation = Faster Growth

Even the quickest-growing privacy plants need consistent water to establish fast.

• Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses at planting time for hands-off care.
• Mulch generously to hold moisture and suppress weeds.
• Avoid overwatering—soggy roots slow down growth or kill the plant altogether.

Pro Tip: Set up a timer system for drought-prone zones, or use rainwater capture for eco-conscious watering.

🧤 Other Smart Considerations

• Zoning & Climate Fit: Always match the plant’s zone rating to your USDA hardiness zone (Zip Code Tool Here)
• Soil Conditions: Some plants thrive in poor soil (like willow hybrids), while others need well-drained or acidic conditions.
• Maintenance Level: Choose based on how much pruning or fertilizing you’re willing to do.
• Pest & Disease Resistance: Avoid plants known for powdery mildew or root rot in your region.

🌳 Fastest Growing Privacy Trees

Privacy trees are ideal for large areas, tall screens, and blocking second-story views. These fast growers make excellent living fences—and many of them require little maintenance once established.

Top Picks for Privacy Trees

• Thuja ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae – Zones 5–9
  3–5 ft/year, deer-resistant, dense and formal look
• Willow Hybrid Trees – Zones 4–9
  One of the quickest growing trees for privacy, reaching 30–40 ft in just a few years
• Eastern Red Cedar – Zones 2–9
  Native, evergreen, drought-tolerant, and fragrant
• Hybrid Poplar – Zones 3–9
  5–8 ft/year, creates a towering green screen quickly (though short-lived)

Master Gardener Tip: Trees like arborvitae and red cedar can also act as windbreaks and noise buffers when planted in staggered rows.

🌿 Best Privacy Bushes That Grow Fast

Not every garden needs tall trees—sometimes a dense shrub is the perfect solution. These fast growing privacy bushes provide quick coverage, year-round interest, and are often more manageable in small yards.

Top Picks for Privacy Bushes

• Texas Privet (Ligustrum) – Zones 7–11
  Rapid grower, easily trimmed into a formal hedge
• Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) – Zones 6–9
  Glossy leaves, fragrant white flowers, tolerates shade
• Wax Myrtle – Zones 7–10
  Semi-evergreen, fragrant foliage, tolerant of poor soil
• Photinia ‘Red Tip’ – Zones 7–9
  Fast-growing with red-tipped new growth that turns green
• Boxwood (for partial privacy) – Zones 5–9
  Slower growing, but pairs beautifully with taller plants for layered privacy

🌸 Flowering Shrubs for Privacy with Beauty

Why settle for a plain green wall when you can have color, fragrance, and pollinator appeal too? These flowering privacy bushes grow fast, attract pollinators, and add seasonal color.

• Lilac – Zones 3–7
  Fragrant and full, fast-spreading with moderate height
• Forsythia – Zones 4–8
  One of the earliest spring bloomers, very fast-growing
• Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) – Zones 5–9
  Sprawling habit, fast to establish, pollinator favorite

Note: These are deciduous, so pair with evergreens for year-round coverage.

🎍 Bamboo – A Natural Fence

For modern or tropical aesthetics, clumping bamboo grows fast and tall without becoming invasive.

• ‘Alphonse Karr’ Bamboo – Zones 8–11
  Elegant yellow canes, grows up to 25 ft
• Giant Timber Bamboo – Zones 7–10
  Perfect for a dramatic privacy wall in warm zones

Warning: Always choose clumping types—running bamboo will take over your garden!

🪴 Vertical Privacy with Trellised Vines

Don’t forget vertical growers! If you’re short on space, vines trained on trellises can provide surprisingly quick screening.

• Evergreen Clematis (C. armandii) – Zones 7–9
  Fast climber with fragrant white blooms
• Trumpet Vine – Zones 4–9
  Super aggressive with bold blooms—best for out-of-reach fences
• Hops – Zones 3–8
  Tall climber, fun to grow and harvest

Pair With: Our handcrafted cedar trellises and garden tuteurs for lasting beauty.

🧪 How to Speed Up Privacy Growth

Even the fastest-growing plants need a little help to hit their stride. Here’s how to give your privacy plants the best start:

• Prepare the soil with compost or well-aged manure
• Mulch well to retain moisture and reduce weed competition
• Water consistently during the first year—especially in summer
• Use organic fertilizer like fish emulsion or compost tea to boost early growth

🛠️ Tools to Plant Your Privacy Garden

Creating a living privacy wall is easier with the right gear. These tools from our collection are designed for tough planting jobs:

• Tanto Hori Hori Knife – Makes fast work of digging and root cutting
• Garden Tote or Bucket Bag – Keeps all your essentials close
• Cedar Garden Markers – Keep new hedges labeled and organized

🛒 Check out our Garden Tools Collection to build your privacy screen with ease.

🧱 Build Your Own Living Fence

Your dream of a quiet, green sanctuary is just one planting session away. Whether you prefer towering evergreens, lush flowering shrubs, or a mix of vines and bushes, there’s a fast-growing privacy plant for your space and zone.

Need help choosing the right mix? Contact us or explore our curated privacy garden bundles.