Shrubs are exceptional at creating privacy, but some varieties take a bit too long to get to the point where they make a difference. Sometimes the 6th set of neighbors will move in and your ‘privacy’ screen will still be a preteen, or the wildlife you’re trying to keep out will eat it all before it gets a chance to grow. Fortunately, all hope isn’t lost because there are many fast-growing shrubs great for privacy that reduce noise and block unwanted views in record time.
The best part is that many varieties are evergreen, so they won’t get bare in the winter and defeat the entire purpose. The key is to choose shrubs that are suited to your local climate and to space them evenly for a dense natural border.
1. Cherry Laurel
Cherry laurel is as beautiful as it sounds. It’s an excellent (and very popular) solution to your yard’s privacy problems. If you’re into the idea of a lush hedge with dense glossy deep-green leaves, you can’t go wrong with these fast-growing shrubs great for privacy. The best part is that the screen will stay beautiful and vibrant right throughout the year, with the added bonus of fragrant white blooms in spring.
They grow up to two feet per year, filling those gaps and forming tall barriers in no time. In terms of needs, if you’ve got full sun or partial shade, almost any type of soil, and the habit of occasional pruning, your cherry laurel will be happy.
2. Portuguese laurel
Portuguese laurel is closely related to cherry laurel and it’s just as great at creating a privacy screen that drowns out the noise and blocks wind. However, Portuguese laurel is more tolerant to droughts than many other laurels. It also grows at a rate of up to two feet per year, reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet. The leaves are smaller and darker and the small white flowers are followed by deep red berries.
These shrubs feature striking red stems and they thrive in well-drained soil, adapt well to pruning, and you can choose between a neatly trimmed look or a natural, informal aesthetic.
3. Arborvitae
If you’ve heard of the ‘tree of life’ before, you’ve heard of arborvitae. The name is derived from the Latin term for tree of life and it’s one of the most popular evergreen shrubs for instant privacy. The tall, columnar growth and feathery green foliage that forms living walls is easily recognizable.
Some varieties like the green giant and emerald green are especially fast-growing as they can grow up to three feet per year. That’s if you provide the right conditions, which includes full sun and well-drained soil. You should also trim them properly to maintain their shape and height.
4. Hick’s Yew
Hick’s yew is a narrow, upright evergreen shrub with rich green needles and dense foliage. It doesn’t grow as fast as some of the other shrubs in this list (only about a foot a year), but it produces small red berries that attract birds, which should be enough of a benefit to overlook that minor detail. The shrub is tolerant to shade, pruning, pollution, and urban environments, and highly resilient.
Hick’s yew fits into almost any landscape, from modern to traditional, and it’s very effective when it comes to blocking noise, wind, and unwanted views. So, if you think about it, it’s got everything you need from fast-growing shrubs great for privacy.
5. Juniper
Skyrocket and blue arrow are just two of the juniper varieties that are ideal for privacy because they form narrow, dense screens that grow several feet per year. While they’re growing, they maintain year-round coverage in the form of green, blue, and silver needle-like foliage. Other variations include upright, spreading, and cascading options that are drought-tolerant, pest-resistant, and low-maintenance, especially once established.
6. Privet
Most of the fast-growing shrubs great for privacy are popular, but privet is a staple in privacy landscaping. It gains three feet per year to form thick hedges that you can shape to your liking. The small glossy leaves and the dense branching pattern work together to create a solid, lush barrier.
If you prune it regularly you’ll enjoy fuller growth, while its ideal conditions include anything from full sun and partial shade to various soil conditions. If you take care of your privet privacy screens, you’ll be rewarded with clusters of white flowers in summer to finish the look with an elegant design.
7. Lilac
Lilac shrubs are known for their gorgeous springtime blossoms in shades of white, pink, and purple. But it’s the stunning fragrance that truly sets them apart from the rest of the shrubs that grow one to two feet per year. They may not be evergreen, but their dense branching provides coverage for a large portion of the year and they can reach 10 feet tall. Once the blooming season passes, the green leaves continue to offer privacy and beauty throughout summer.
8. Japanese Cheesewood
Japanese cheesewood doesn’t look as strange as it sounds. In fact, there really isn’t anything that makes it remotely strange. It’s a regular shrub that grows fast and delivers glossy, leathery leaves that look sophisticated and polished. It’s suited for dry areas and seaside gardens because it can tolerate both drought and coastal conditions.
The creamy white flowers that the Japanese cheesewood produces in spring have a citrus-like fragrance, which is a refreshing change. It’s mostly effective when it comes to blocking wind, but the little wind that seeps through will carry the aromas across your yard.
9. Viburnum
It would be wrong to end a list of fast-growing shrubs great for privacy without mentioning viburnum. There aren’t many differences between this shrub and the others on the list, but it’s certainly a must-have. It’s available in both evergreen and deciduous varieties, which is already something to look out for.
With Viburnum tinus and Viburnum odoratissimum you’ll get dense year-round green coverage, while flowering varieties will provide fragrant blooms and colorful berries that attract birds. Once established, it’s low maintenance and doesn’t require much more than full sun to partial shade, and it’s also relatively pest-free.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.