Dreaming of a backyard where you can unwind in total privacy, shielded from neighbors and noisy streets? The secret lies in fast-growing privacy plants! These lush, leafy beauties not only add greenery and natural charm to your outdoor space but also quickly create living walls that provide shade, reduce noise, and increase your sense of seclusion. Whether you prefer towering trees, dense shrubs, or graceful climbers, here are 10 fast-growing privacy plants that will transform your yard into a peaceful, green retreat in no time.
1. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.)
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, making it a popular choice for backyard privacy screens. Certain clumping varieties can grow up to 3 feet per year without becoming invasive. Its tall, slender stalks and lush foliage create a natural, exotic-looking barrier that doubles as a sound buffer. Bamboo thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-draining soil. For added control, plant it in large containers or install root barriers to prevent unwanted spreading.
2. Leyland Cypress (Cupressus × leylandii)
If you’re after an evergreen privacy screen that grows rapidly and offers year-round coverage, Leyland Cypress is a top contender. This tall, dense tree can grow up to 3–4 feet per year and quickly forms an attractive, green wall. Its soft, feathery foliage adds texture to your landscape while blocking views and noise. Leyland Cypress thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and it requires minimal maintenance once established. It’s perfect for lining property borders or creating secluded backyard nooks.
3. Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Privet hedges are classic for a reason they grow quickly and can be easily shaped to create tidy, dense privacy screens. Certain varieties like Common Privet or California Privet can grow 2–3 feet per year under the right conditions. Privet is highly adaptable to various soil types and light levels, though it thrives best in full sun to partial shade. Regular pruning encourages fuller growth, making it easy to customize the height and width of your hedge to suit your space.
4. Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii × plicata)
This fast-growing evergreen tree is a favorite for creating privacy walls in residential yards. Thuja Green Giant grows around 3–5 feet per year in its early years and can reach up to 40 feet tall at maturity. Its dense, rich green foliage forms a living curtain that stays lush throughout the year. It’s disease-resistant, deer-resistant, and tolerates a range of soil conditions. Plant it in full sun for the best growth, and enjoy a virtually maintenance-free privacy screen within a few seasons.
5. Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Boxwood might be known for formal hedging, but certain varieties grow fast enough to serve as excellent privacy screens. American Boxwood and Wintergreen Boxwood are particularly vigorous and respond well to regular trimming. Their dense, evergreen foliage creates a thick, compact hedge that adds structure and beauty to garden borders. Boxwood thrives in partial to full sun and well-drained soil. It’s also highly adaptable to shaping, making it ideal for both classic and contemporary garden designs seeking privacy.
6. Clumping Bamboo (Bambusa spp.)
For those who love the look of bamboo but want to avoid invasive species, clumping bamboo varieties like Bambusa textilis are a perfect alternative. These non-invasive bamboos grow quickly often up to 2–3 feet per year and form tight, upright clusters of lush greenery. Their tall, narrow growth habit makes them perfect for smaller yards and patios. Clumping bamboo thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It also doubles as a natural windbreak and sound barrier.
7. Carolina Cherry Laurel (Prunus caroliniana)
Carolina Cherry Laurel is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that makes an excellent living privacy wall. It grows up to 2 feet per year and produces dense, glossy green leaves with tiny, fragrant white flowers in spring. This hardy plant tolerates a variety of soil types and can be trimmed into formal hedges or allowed to grow naturally. Carolina Cherry Laurel is drought-tolerant once established and offers year-round foliage coverage for backyard borders and property lines.
8. Holly (Ilex spp.)
Holly isn’t just for holiday décor it’s also a fast-growing, dense evergreen shrub ideal for privacy hedges. Varieties like Nellie R. Stevens Holly can grow up to 3 feet per year and reach heights of 20 feet or more. Its thick, glossy leaves and bright red berries (on female plants) add visual interest while blocking out unwanted views. Holly thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil types. It’s perfect for creating attractive, wildlife-friendly barriers.
9. Photinia (Photinia × fraseri ‘Red Tip’)
Photinia is a striking, fast-growing shrub known for its glossy green leaves and brilliant red new growth. It can grow up to 2 feet per year and reaches heights of 10–15 feet, making it ideal for privacy hedging. Photinia thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. Regular pruning encourages denser growth and maintains its vibrant, colorful appearance. Its combination of privacy, color, and seasonal interest makes Photinia a favorite for backyard borders and screens.
10. Trumpet Vine (Campsis radicans)
If you’re after a flowering privacy screen, look no further than Trumpet Vine. This vigorous climber can grow up to 30 feet in a single season under ideal conditions. Its fast-growing, woody vines quickly cover trellises, fences, and walls, creating a lush, natural screen adorned with showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in fiery shades of orange and red. Trumpet Vine loves full sun and well-drained soil, and it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Regular trimming keeps its rapid growth in check while promoting fuller coverage.