18 Fast Growing Plants for the Ultimate Privacy Screen
I love my neighbors, but sometimes I just want to enjoy my backyard without feeling like I’m on display. If you’re like me, you’ve probably considered building a fence, but they can be expensive and, let’s be honest, a bit of an eyesore. A natural privacy screen is a beautiful, eco-friendly alternative.
The only problem? Waiting for plants to grow. That’s why I’ve put together this list of 18 fast-growing plants that will give you the privacy you crave in no time.
I’ll walk you through my top picks, from evergreen trees to leafy shrubs, so you can find the perfect fit for your yard.
1. Thuja Green Giant
This one is a classic for a reason. The Thuja Green Giant is a hybrid arborvitae that lives up to its name, growing up to 3-5 feet per year! It forms a dense, evergreen wall that’s perfect for blocking out unwanted views and noise.
I’ve found it’s also incredibly low-maintenance. It’s resistant to most pests and diseases, and deer usually leave it alone, which is a big plus in my book. Plant them about 5-6 feet apart, and you’ll have a lush, living fence before you know it.
2. Leyland Cypress
If you need privacy, and you need it yesterday, the Leyland Cypress is your go-to. This popular tree can shoot up 3-4 feet per year, creating a fast, dense screen. Its feathery, soft foliage stays green all year round, providing constant cover.
I recommend giving them plenty of space to grow, as they can get quite large. For a seamless hedge, I plant them about 6-8 feet apart. A little pruning once a year keeps them looking tidy and full.
3. English Laurel
For a lush, broadleaf evergreen option, I love the English Laurel. It has large, glossy green leaves that create a very dense hedge. It can grow up to 3 feet a year in the right conditions, making it a speedy solution for privacy.
One of the best things about English Laurel is its tolerance for different conditions. It does well in both sun and partial shade and is quite drought-tolerant once it’s established. This is a tough plant that looks beautiful with minimal fuss.
4. Italian Cypress
If you’re looking for a formal, elegant privacy screen, I highly recommend the Italian Cypress. These trees have a very narrow, columnar shape that adds a touch of Mediterranean sophistication to any landscape. They grow about 2-3 feet per year.
Because they grow tall but not wide, they are perfect for smaller yards or for lining a driveway. They need full sun to thrive and prefer well-drained soil. They create a dramatic and beautiful living wall.
5. American Arborvitae
This is an extremely popular and hardy choice, especially for those of us in colder climates. The American Arborvitae can handle temperatures down to zone 2. It grows at a steady pace of 1-2 feet per year and forms a nice, dense evergreen hedge.
While deer can sometimes be a problem, its low-maintenance nature makes it a great option. I suggest an annual pruning to keep it dense and shaped just the way you like for a reliable privacy screen.
6. Schip Laurel
The Schip Laurel, or Skip Laurel, is another fantastic laurel variety. It’s a bit more upright than the English Laurel and is incredibly versatile. It grows about 2 feet per year and can tolerate anything from full sun to full shade, which is a huge advantage.
I find it’s a great choice for creating a tall, narrow hedge to hide fences or block views. It’s also deer-resistant and handles a variety of soil types, making it a durable and reliable option.
7. Virescens Western Red Cedar
For those in the Pacific Northwest or similar climates, I often recommend the Virescens Western Red Cedar. It has a lovely bright green color that it holds all year and an attractive, upright branching habit. It grows up to 2 feet per year.
This plant is naturally tall and narrow, so it’s perfect for privacy hedges without taking up too much yard space. It’s also deer-resistant and does well in both sun and partial shade. It’s a very handsome and low-maintenance choice.
8. Flame Amur Maple
If you’re open to a deciduous option, the Flame Amur Maple is a showstopper. It offers excellent screening during the summer and then puts on a spectacular show of fiery red, orange, and yellow in the fall. It grows up to 2 feet per year.
I love it because it’s incredibly cold-hardy, surviving down to -40°F. While you’ll lose some privacy in the winter, the stunning autumn color and the light it lets through in the darker months can be a beautiful trade-off.
9. Portuguese Laurel
The Portuguese Laurel is a stunning evergreen that I find works wonderfully in warmer regions. It has dark, glossy leaves on attractive reddish stems. It grows about 1.5 feet per year and forms a very thick, dense hedge.
It’s more drought-tolerant and less demanding than other laurels once established. While it grows a bit slower than English Laurel, the reduced maintenance and dense structure make it a top contender for a beautiful privacy screen.
10. Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria)
The Japanese Cedar, particularly the ‘Radicans’ variety, is an excellent choice for a fast-growing screen. It boasts soft, feathery foliage and grows quickly, at about 2-3 feet per year. It maintains a nice pyramidal shape that provides great coverage.
I like that it’s tolerant of different soil types and has good resistance to pests and diseases. It creates a graceful, textured screen that is much softer in appearance than some other evergreens.
11. Sweet Viburnum
For those in warmer climates (zones 8-10), the Sweet Viburnum is a fantastic fast-growing shrub. It has large, leathery, dark green leaves and can grow quickly to form a dense hedge. I’ve seen them put on several feet of growth in a single season.
In spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white flowers, which is a lovely bonus. It’s a great choice for a fast, fragrant, and flowering privacy hedge.
12. Nellie R. Stevens Holly
This is a powerhouse of a holly. The Nellie R. Stevens is a hybrid that grows vigorously, up to 3 feet per year, into a large, dense pyramid shape. Its dark, glossy green leaves are a classic, and it produces bright red berries in the winter.
I appreciate that it is heat-tolerant and does well in full sun to partial shade. It’s a beautiful and traditional choice for a living fence that provides year-round interest.
13. Needlepoint Holly
The Needlepoint Holly is another fast-growing holly variety, known for its unique, twisted leaves that have a single spine at the tip. It grows quickly, about 1-2 feet per year, and has a dense, full habit.
It produces an abundance of bright red berries that birds love. It’s a great option for creating a tough, fast-growing hedge that also supports local wildlife.
14. Ocala Anise
Native to Florida, the Ocala Anise is a wonderful choice for shady spots in warmer zones. It has dense, olive-green leaves that have a licorice-like scent when crushed. It has a moderate growth rate, but it fills in quickly to create a lush, tropical-looking screen.
I recommend it for areas where other evergreens might struggle with a lack of direct sun. It’s a unique and attractive plant that provides great coverage.
15. Podocarpus (Yew Pine)
Often called Japanese Yew, Podocarpus is a tough and adaptable plant that’s great for privacy hedges, especially in warmer climates. It has dark green, slender leaves and a dense growth habit. It can be sheared into a formal hedge or left to grow more naturally.
It’s drought-tolerant and handles both sun and shade. Its upright growth makes it a great space-saver for creating a tall, narrow screen.
16. Silver Sheen Pittosporum
For a lighter, more airy screen, I adore Silver Sheen Pittosporum. It has small, silvery-green leaves on contrasting dark stems. It grows very quickly, often up to 3 feet per year, creating a shimmery, delicate-looking screen that still offers good privacy.
It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It responds well to pruning, so you can easily keep it at your desired height and shape for a modern and elegant look.
17. Hicks Yew
The Hicks Yew is a classic choice for a formal hedge. It has a dense, columnar growth habit and soft, dark green needles. It grows at a more moderate pace, about 1 foot per year, but its reliability and neat appearance make it worth considering.
It’s one of the few conifers that tolerates heavy shade, making it incredibly versatile. It also produces attractive red berries (on female plants) that add a pop of color.
18. Emerald Green Arborvitae
A more compact cousin of the Green Giant, the Emerald Green Arborvitae is perfect for smaller spaces. It grows at a moderate rate of about 1 foot per year and maintains a neat, narrow, pyramidal shape without much pruning.
I often use these for smaller yards or when a very tall screen isn’t necessary. They stay a beautiful emerald green all year and are a very popular, reliable choice for a tidy-looking hedge.
Conclusion
Creating a private sanctuary in your backyard is one of the best home improvements you can make. With these fast-growing options, you won’t have to wait years to enjoy the peace and seclusion you deserve.
Take a look at your space, consider your climate, and choose the plant that will best transform your yard into your personal oasis.