Top 10 Fastest-Growing Evergreen Shrubs for Privacy

Ever feel like your outdoor space is too exposed? Whether you’re trying to screen out nosy neighbors, quiet a roadside view, or simply add a sense of enclosure to your yard, the solution doesn’t have to be a fence. A well-planned living screen made of fast-growing evergreen shrubs can offer natural privacy that’s both effective and beautiful.

Instead of a cold wall or costly panels, you can grow a lush, green barrier that enhances your landscape, provides shelter for wildlife, and adds year-round visual interest.

Let’s begin by identifying what actually makes a shrub well-suited for privacy planting.

Why Fast-Growing Shrubs Are Better Than Fences

Fences might offer quick results, but they also come with drawbacks: high costs, limited lifespan, and a stark, rigid appearance. Fast-growing evergreen shrubs, on the other hand, provide a living boundary that matures into part of the landscape, and they only get better with time.

Here’s why many prefer plants over panels:

• They mature into natural-looking green walls, rather than flat, lifeless barriers
• Many offer seasonal interest—flowers, berries, or colorful foliage flushes
• They improve wildlife value, offering shelter and food for birds and beneficial insects
• You can shape them into a formal hedge or leave them loose as an informal screen
• With the right spacing and formative pruning, they can provide dense coverage in just a few seasons
• They’re rooted in place, improving air quality, cooling the space, and blending with the garden design

Plus, they offer that satisfying feeling of watching your garden evolve. A thoughtfully chosen shrub not only blocks the view—it enhances it.

Let’s now take a look at evergreen shrubs that grow fast, look great, and give you the privacy you’re looking for.

10 Evergreen Shrubs That Grow Fast and Create Natural Privacy:

1. Green Giant Arborvitae

Botanical Name	Thuja standishii × plicata
Growth Rate	3–5 ft/year
Mature Height	40–60 ft
Soil Type & pH	Adaptable; prefers pH 6.0–8.0
USDA Zones	5–9
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Low; minimal pruning needed

If you’re after fast and fuss-free coverage, Green Giant Arborvitae is hard to beat. Its pyramidal habit, thick green foliage, and rapid growth make it perfect for forming a tall, uniform screen.

Whether you’re lining a boundary or shielding a patio, it quickly establishes a dense, wind-resistant hedge that stays lush all year. As one of the fastest-growing evergreen shrubs for privacy, it’s ideal when you want results in just a few seasons.

See Also: Indoor Plants that Release Oxygen

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2. Leyland Cypress

Botanical Name	Cupressus × leylandii
Growth Rate	3–4 ft/year
Mature Height	40–60 ft
Soil Type & pH	Well-drained; pH 5.5–8.0
USDA Zones	6–10
Deer Resistant	No
Water Requirement	Moderate; regular watering during establishment
Maintenance	Medium; annual pruning recommended

With its towering form and soft, blue-green foliage, Leyland Cypress is a standout among tall shrubs for privacy. It grows fast, filling vertical space quickly, and forms a thick wall of feathery texture that’s easy on the eyes.

This shrub is a popular choice for long boundary lines, windbreaks, and large-scale privacy screens where height and fullness matter. A little trimming goes a long way in keeping it tidy and effective.

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3. Wax Myrtle

Botanical Name	Morella cerifera (formerly Myrica cerifera)
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	10–20 ft
Soil Type & pH	Tolerates various soils; pH 6.0–8.0
USDA Zones	7–10
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Low to moderate
Maintenance	Low; prune annually to maintain shape

Wax Myrtle is a fast-growing evergreen with a relaxed, airy form that works well in naturalistic garden designs.

Its narrow, olive-green leaves release a spicy scent when crushed, and its loose branching habit forms an easygoing privacy screen without looking too formal.

This is one of the best fast-growing shrubs for privacy when you need a quick filler that still feels light and organic.

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4. Cherry Laurel

Botanical Name	Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	10–15 ft
Soil Type & pH	Moist, well-drained; wide pH range
USDA Zones	6–9
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Moderate; more frequent in dry periods
Maintenance	Medium; prune after flowering

Cherry Laurel brings dense, glossy foliage and fast coverage to any garden space. Its broad, dark green leaves create an impenetrable screen, while spring adds upright white flower spikes that brighten up the hedge line.

It grows well in both sunny and shaded areas, making it one of the best shrubs for privacy when flexibility and form matter. Ideal for structured hedges or soft perimeter planting.

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5. Sweet Viburnum

Botanical Name	Viburnum odoratissimum
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	15–25 ft
Soil Type & pH	Versatile; pH 6.0–8.0
USDA Zones	8–10
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Moderate
Maintenance	Low; annual pruning for form

Sweet Viburnum combines fast growth with broad, leathery leaves that stay lush throughout the year. It forms a soft, dense hedge perfect for blocking views around patios or along walkways.

In spring, it puts on a show with fragrant white flowers, followed by reddish new growth that adds subtle seasonal interest. Among fast-growing shrubs for privacy, it stands out for its blend of function and ornamental value.

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6. Pittosporum (Kohuhu)

Botanical Name	Pittosporum tenuifolium
Growth Rate	1.5–2.5 ft/year
Mature Height	10–20 ft
Soil Type & pH	Tolerates various soils; pH 6.0–7.5
USDA Zones	8–11
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Low; prune annually to maintain desired form

Pittosporum is a fast-growing evergreen with a neat, upright habit that makes it ideal for narrow spaces or smaller gardens needing vertical privacy.

Its wavy, silvery-green leaves add a soft texture to planting schemes, while its ability to grow densely with minimal pruning makes it wonderfully low-maintenance.

If you’re looking for fast-growing shrubs that bring both structure and elegance, this one is a quiet overachiever.

See Also: Vines with White Flowers

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7. Japanese Privet

Botanical Name	Ligustrum japonicum
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	8–15 ft
Soil Type & pH	Tolerates various soils; pH 6.0–8.0
USDA Zones	7–10
Deer Resistant	No
Water Requirement	Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Medium; prune 1–2 times per year for dense form

With glossy, oval-shaped leaves and a naturally compact habit, Japanese Privet is a classic choice for clipped hedges and privacy screens. It grows quickly into a thick, green wall that responds well to shaping, making it easy to control height and width.

Small white flower clusters in late spring add seasonal charm. It’s one of the most adaptable, fast-growing evergreen shrubs for formal or informal spaces.

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8. Escallonia

Botanical Name	Escallonia spp.
Growth Rate	1.5–2 ft/year
Mature Height	6–12 ft
Soil Type & pH	Well-drained, fertile soils; pH 6.0–7.0
USDA Zones	8–10
Deer Resistant	Yes
Water Requirement	Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Low to medium; prune after flowering to shape

Escallonia offers more than just coverage—it adds bursts of color, too. This evergreen forms a dense mound of dark green foliage and dazzles from late spring through summer with clusters of pink, red, or white flowers.

It’s a favorite for low to mid-height hedging, especially if you want privacy with flair. For mixed borders or standalone screens, few shrubs for privacy bring this much brightness.

See Also: Vines with Yellow Flowers

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9. Red Tip Photinia

Botanical Name	Photinia × fraseri
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	10–15 ft
Soil Type & pH	Well-drained soils; prefers acidic pH
USDA Zones	7–9
Deer Resistant	No
Water Requirement	Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Medium; prune annually to maintain shape and health

Known for its dramatic flush of red new growth, Red Tip Photinia creates a bold and colorful screen that’s anything but boring. The foliage matures to deep green, forming a thick wall that’s ideal for property lines or shielding outdoor seating areas.

With regular pruning, you can encourage vibrant regrowth and keep its form tight. It’s a striking option among evergreen shrubs for privacy that also turns heads.

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10. Bottlebrush (Callistemon)

Botanical Name	Callistemon spp.
Growth Rate	2–3 ft/year
Mature Height	8–15 ft
Soil Type & pH	Well-drained soils; pH 6.0–8.0
USDA Zones	8–11
Deer Resistant	Moderate
Water Requirement	Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Maintenance	Low; prune after flowering to maintain shape

Bottlebrush lives up to its name with vivid red flower spikes that bloom in spring and summer, drawing in pollinators while forming an attractive visual screen. Its narrow, leathery leaves stay evergreen, and its bushy habit fills in fast.

If you’re after the best fast-growing shrubs for privacy with ornamental flair, this one delivers both function and curb appeal, especially in warm, sunny locations.

Must Read: Vines with Red Flowers

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How to Choose the Right Shrub for Your Needs

Choosing the right privacy shrub isn’t just about how fast it grows—it’s about how well it fits into your space, lifestyle, and garden design. To make the right call, you’ll want to consider a few practical factors beyond appearance.

1. Space and Scale

Start by measuring your available planting area. Narrow borders may benefit from upright growers like Pittosporum or Privet, while larger spaces can handle wide-spreading options like Leyland Cypress or Sweet Viburnum. Think in layers—shrubs can serve as backbone plants in mixed borders or stand-alone screens.

2. Desired Height and Density

If you’re trying to block second-story windows, go for taller varieties like Green Giant Arborvitae. For lower screening around patios or walkways, compact shrubs like Escallonia or Cherry Laurel offer just enough separation. Consider how much foliage coverage you want throughout the year—foliage density is key to visual privacy.

3. Sunlight and Soil Conditions

Match the shrub to your site. For sunny spots, Bottlebrush and Photinia thrive. Shadier corners call for Cherry Laurel or Pittosporum. Check your soil type too—sandy, clay, or loamy—and amend accordingly. Most of these shrubs prefer well-draining soil, but some are more forgiving than others.

4. Style and Maintenance

Do you want a manicured formal hedge or a naturalistic screen that you trim once a year? Leyland Cypress and Privet love a good shear, while Wax Myrtle and Viburnum work beautifully in a looser form. Choose a shrub that fits how much time you’re willing to spend on formative pruning and upkeep.

5. Wildlife and Extra Benefits

Some shrubs, like Bottlebrush and Viburnum, provide nectar or shelter for pollinators and birds. If you value biodiversity or want a more vibrant, living garden, lean toward species that do more than block a view—they also support your ecosystem.

In short, the best privacy shrub is one that fits your space, thrives in your conditions, and delivers beauty as well as function.

Regional Growing Advice for Privacy Shrubs

Privacy shrubs may be evergreen and fast-growing, but they’re not one-size-fits-all. Climate, soil type, and seasonal conditions play a big role in how well your hedge performs. To get the best results, it’s essential to match your shrub to your environment and tweak your care routine accordingly.

1. Cool or Frosty Climates

If you live in a region with cold winters or late frosts, focus on hardy varieties that can tolerate seasonal dips. Green Giant Arborvitae and Cherry Laurel are excellent choices—they hold up well to snow, cold winds, and even brief freezes.
Planting tip: Wait until the danger of frost has passed in spring, or plant early in autumn to give roots time to settle before winter.

2. Warm or Arid Regions

In hot, dry areas or gardens exposed to full sun all day, choose shrubs that are heat-tolerant and drought-adapted once established. Bottlebrush, Pittosporum, and Wax Myrtle handle dry conditions and bright light with ease.
Care tip: Mulch heavily around the base to conserve moisture and prevent sun-scorched roots.

3. Wet or Rainy Zones

Consistently damp conditions call for moisture-tolerant plants like Sweet Viburnum or Escallonia, which won’t suffer root rot in soggy soil.
Drainage hack: If you’ve got clay-heavy soil, mix in grit or organic matter to keep water moving.

4. Windy, Coastal, or Exposed Sites

Live in a spot with strong breezes or salty air? Go for shrubs with flexible branches and leathery foliage, such as Wax Myrtle or Leyland Cypress. These won’t snap or brown easily in harsh winds.
Extra tip: Stagger planting in a zigzag to help break wind patterns while still maintaining privacy.

No matter your region, remember this: the better matched your plant is to your conditions, the less work it will need to thrive. When in doubt, always check local nursery tags or consult planting charts to ensure you’re picking a shrub that feels right at home in your soil and climate.

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FAQs

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Conclusion

In this guide, we explored 10 of the fastest-growing evergreen shrubs for privacy, along with practical tips for choosing, planting, and caring for them. Whether you’re looking for towering giants like Green Giant Arborvitae or 5–8 foot evergreen shrubs for privacy like Escallonia and Cherry Laurel, there’s a shrub that fits your space, style, and need for seclusion.

Have you planted any of these shrubs? Or do you have a favorite that worked well in your garden? We’d love to hear your experience—drop your feedback or shrub-growing story in the comments below.

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