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Shrubs fast growing


13 recommended varieties to plant |

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Keen to see results quickly in your garden? Choose these fast growing shrubs in your planting plans, and before you know it your garden will be full of texture, color and form. 

Although gardening does requires a degree of patience, there are ways we can speed things up a little – one of which is by choosing the right plants. You might also be keen for evergreen shrubs and plants to establish quickly for reasons of privacy or shade.

Offering a range of leaf and flower form and color, and interest at different times of the year, these best fast growing shrubs can suit a variety of spaces as part of your garden ideas. 

Best fast growing shrubs to plant

Like the best fast-growing trees, some of the fast growing shrubs suggested here might require a little more attention and care than others, but on the whole, are fairly self-sufficient and will only need a touch of pruning or feeding now and again.  

1. Weigela 

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'Weigela is a deciduous shrub that can reach a height of 2-3 metres within 2 years, making it an ideal choice for quickly filling up any gaps in your garden,' says Lindsay Hyland, founder of Urban Organic Yield . 

It has attractive pink flowers in the spring, and is hardy in many climates. Plant in full sun or partial shade.

It is a great option to plant as a low maintenance garden border idea as it is easy to grow.

2. Beauty Bush

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The beauty bush, Kolkwitzia amabilis, is a great easy-to-grow and fast growing deciduous flowering shrub.

It is a member of the honeysuckle family and needs medium moisture and well-drained soil in full sun to grow. 

Usually growing 6-10' tall, it has an arching, vase-shaped habit. It has showy pink flowers with yellow throats in clusters that bloom in mid-spring, the exact timing of which will differ depending on the hardiness zone where you live. This shrub also makes a great hedge plant. Generally, it is free of pests and disease and requires pruning after flowering.

3. Schip Laurel or Cherry Laurel

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The glossy leaved evergreen schip laurel, or cherry laurel – Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis' – is a popular shrub that can be used for fast-growing hedges.

'This evergreen will easily grow into tall and narrow hedges, and only needs pruning once per year, with occasional shaping if necessary,' explain the experts at Instant Hedges .

It has a fast growth rate, reaching up to 2 feet in a year, so is one of the best fast growing plants to use as a shrub for privacy among other garden privacy ideas. 

It grows well in hardiness zones 6-9, prefers dappled to full shade, but can cope with a range of soil types, so is a versatile choice for establishing a dense hedge quickly. 

For added interest, 'in the spring, the schip laurel produces attractive stalks of aromatic white flowers, and red berries in winter,' explain the Instant Hedges experts.

4. Photinia

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Low maintenance evergreen photinias are one of the best fast growing shrubs – or can be trimmed to become an attractive fast-growing tree – added to which 'the green foliage turns red in the spring, summer or fall,' explains Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Lawn Love .  It is therefore excellent as a shrub for leaf changing color.

Quick growing, the evergreen shrub can either be used as a standout feature, to serve a supporting role in your garden, including use as a hedge for privacy or to separate garden areas, or for flower bed ideas.

'Clusters of small white flowers in the spring or summer are then followed by red berries,' adds Jeremy.

Photinias require minimal pruning, but the occasional trim in spring or summer will help to promote dense growth and maintain a good overall shape in the shrub.

These fast growing shrubs will grow well in full sun or partial shade, but prefer clay, sand, or loam soil that drains well.  

5. Buddleja 

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The mostly pink, magenta and purple conical shaped flowers of buddleja are a favorite plant for pollinators, so excellent to include as one of your wildlife garden ideas.

'This hardy deciduous shrub has beautiful, fragrant flowers in the summer and grows 3 to 6 feet high. Buddleja prefers moist soil in full sun or partial shade,' explains Lindsey Hyland.

Vigorous growers, buddlejas are easy to grow and maintain. They are also known as the butterfly bush, so if you want to know how to attract butterflies, planting one of these best fast growing shrubs in your garden would be an excellent first step.

Do, however, be aware that buddleja are considered invasive in some areas, so always check before planting.

6. Forsythia

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Low maintenance and fast growing – growing at least one foot a year – forsythia can tolerate a wide array of growing conditions so is one of the best fast growing shrubs for versatility, as well as for its colorful spring blooms.

'These yellow-flowering beauties blossom in the spring and are straightforward to care for and nurture,' explains Ellen of Outdoor Happens

Forsythia grow up to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide, so leave space for this colorful shrub to spread, especially if you want to use it as hedging or perhaps as a garden wall idea to disguise an unsightly boundary.

'Space the shrubs at least six feet apart if possible, and prune them regularly to prevent the maze like structure of stems looking untidy,' adds Ellen.

Alternatively, if you prefer the wilder look, then leave them to grow as nature intended and enjoy the burst of cheery, breathtaking blooms every year.

7. Sea Berry

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'One of my absolute favorite best fast growing shrubs to include in almost any landscape, and good for zones 3-8, is sea buckthorn, Hippophae rhamnoides, also known as sea berry,' explains Diane Kuthy, founder of How to Grow Everything  

This deciduous hardy shrub, which is particularly suitable for windy, coastal gardens, is both ornamental and has edible berries. 'The plant produces delicious, bright orange, vitamin C packed berries which are most popularly used in jams, juices, and even skin care.

'Sea buckthorn has bush-like growth, so is ideal for hedges, and can grow to 30 feet tall without pruning,' adds Diane. 

If male and female plants are planted together the shrubs should start producing fruit after 4 or 5 years. 

8. Hydrangeas

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Hydrangeas are well loved for their large, magnificent flower heads in a range of colors, making this flowering shrub such a popular addition to many gardens.

It is important that you know how to prune hydrangeas to keep these fast growing shrubs looking their best, as pruning helps to promote good shape and the forming of new flowers.

Easy to grow and quick to establish, there are many varieties of hydrangeas that produce flowers in summer and fall.

Hydrangeas can be a bit choosy about their location, so one of the most important tips to remember for how to grow hydrangeas is to take care when planting and put them in the correct position that suits that particular species.

As long as their basic needs are met, they are pretty easy to care for.

9. Viburnum tinus

(Image credit: Getty Images/ Jacky Parker Photography)

The evergreen Viburnum tinus can grow to a height of 13 to 16 feet, so is one of the best fast growing shrubs to add height to your back yard. 

Using tall plants is among the many vertical garden ideas that can make a small back yard appear larger, training the eye upwards.

'It has beautiful clusters of white flowers in the winter, and is hardy in many climates. Viburnum tinus prefers moist soil and loves sun or partial shade,' explains Lindsey Hyland.

10. Lavender

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

It is worth learning how to grow lavender so that you can enjoy the aromatic properties and beautiful flowers of this shrubby herb.

Bearing lovely purple, blue, pink or white flowers throughout the summer, there are many different varieties of these drought tolerant, best fast growing shrubs. They are also definitely a plant to include if you're investigating how to plan a dry garden.

Evocative of mediterranean style gardens, but also a stalwart of cottage garden ideas, lavender prefers well-drained soil, in full sun.

They can vary in height, growing from 1 to 3 feet, and can be dotted among flower beds, used for hedging when designing a parterre garden, or used in the kitchen garden as an aromatic herb.

11. Elderberry

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Elderberry is one of the best fast growing shrubs for a back yard as it bears both edible berries and lovely blossom.

'You can grow your own elderberries and make an immune-boosting elderberry syrup at home using the berries,' explains Diane Kuthy.

'These deciduous perennial bushes are hardy in zones 4-7 and grow well in shade or sunny locations,' she adds.

The fast growing shrubs will bloom from late spring, producing masses of tiny white flowers that can be picked and used to make delicious elderflower cordial or fizz.

The berries, which are bursting with immune boosting vitamins A, C and D, come next, ripening between July and September, depending on where you live. These can then be harvested and turned into healthy treats, such as elderberry jelly, pies or preserves. Why not add them to your kitchen garden ideas?

WARNING: The berries of some varieties of elderberry are toxic when eaten raw, so to be on the safe side always cook the elderberries before you try to eat them 

'With proper pruning, elderberry plants can remain as short shrubs or grow to  over 10ft tall. Elderberry plants are best purchased as young plants and will bear fruit when those plants are 2-3 years old,' explains Diane.

12. Cornus or Dogwoods

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

It's not just interest and color from flowers and foliage that you should consider when looking for the best fast growing shrubs – stem color can make a real impact, too. Among the best winter plants for pots and borders are cornus, or dogwoods.

These fantastic and fast-growing deciduous shrubs are highly versatile and loved for their vibrant displays of bare stems during winter ranging from yellow, through orange and red to deep crimson. 

The stems are then clothed in white flower heads in spring and pale green leaves throughout the summer, so offer differing interest in a border throughout the year.

13. Mock Orange

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Mock orange, or philadelphus, is a vigorous and fast growing shrub that flowers from about mid June to August depending on the climate where you live. 

The wonderfully sweet scented blooms are a delight to walk past as a sensory garden plant, so this is a lovely shrub to grow near an outside seating or dining area, or position where you can enjoy the fragrance to the full.

It is happy in sun or part shade in well-draining soil and requires very little maintenance.

What is the fastest growing bush for privacy?

One of the fastest growing bushes for privacy is the wax myrtle.

'They can grow insanely fast – sometimes exceeding two feet per year, or potentially faster if they acclimatize well to your soil,' explains Ellen.

This evergreen is therefore one of the best fast growing shrubs, and as well as providing a habitat for wildlife, produces abundant berries in the winter if both female and male plants are planted next to each other, so is a source of food for birds, too.

This tough shrub can tolerate most soils, including slightly salty conditions, and will withstand full sun to part shade.

When planting wax myrtle, make sure you keep them well away from barbecue areas or where you might be planning outdoor fireplace ideas, as 'the waxy leaves are famously flammable,' explains Ellen.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What is a fast growing shade shrub?

A fast growing shrub for shade that is a good choice to plant is Mahonia x media. 

This evergreen has dark green glossy leaves and produces sprays of wonderfully fragrant yellow flowers from November to early spring, depending on the variety. Sometimes these are followed by clusters of black or purple berries.

Mahonia x media will cope well with partial or full shade, so is a good choice for a north facing back yard or plot. It tolerates sand, chalk, clay or loam, as long as they are well draining.

What's the fastest growing evergreen bush?

There are many fast growing evergreen shrubs that you can plant in your garden for year round interest. Among those listed above are the schip laurel, photinia and Viburnum tinus, but there are many other options you can plant to suit the particular conditions in your garden.

A useful method is to see what is growing well in neighbors yards as they will probably enjoy similar soil types and conditions, and you can also get an idea of how it might look in your garden setting.

Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors.  She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

17 Fast-Growing Shrubs for Privacy Hedges

  • 01 of 17

     

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    Its leaves are gone. Its berries have disappeared. Its flowers are absent. It is winter, and yet red twig dogwood still stands out. Despite having lost so many features, red twig dogwood may be at its best when nothing blocks the view of its finest feature: its signature fire-red bark color (the same applies to yellow twig dogwood, but in a different color). Looking at such a plant can lift your spirits on the gloomiest of winter days.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, fertile, moist soil

  • 02 of 17

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    The wonderfully fragrant shrub, mock orange is rather unfortunately named for what it is not, rather than for what it is. As the "mock" in its name suggests, mock orange is not a true orange. But the citrusy smell of its white blossoms is enough to invite comparison. Another white-flowered option is doublefile viburnum. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained, loamy soil

  • 03 of 17

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    Like mock orange, the traditional lilac is an olfactory treasure with fragrant flowers that you probably remember from your grandparents' yard.  There are plenty of new cultivars available.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy soil

  • 04 of 17

    Olga Strogonova / EyeEm / Getty Images

    There should be a special place in your heart for forsythias. When their flower buds start yellowing up, forsythia flowers herald nothing less than spring, itself. Among the bushes, they are some of the earliest spring flowers.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained soil

  • 05 of 17

    IB_photo / Getty Images

    The branching of rock cotoneaster is stiff and dense, giving the plant a rather bristly look. Stems shoot off the branches in what is often referred to as a "herringbone pattern," a term also used in hardscaping. The bristly look is significantly softened once the red berries appear, as your attention will be drawn to their fleshy orbs. But for a privacy hedge, go with one of the taller types of cotoneaster, such as C. lucidus.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 5 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, well-drained, evenly moist soil

  • 06 of 17

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    Beautyberry is such a fast-growing bush that many recommend pruning it down to within a foot or so of the ground in early spring. The resulting new growth, laden with berries by autumn, is sufficiently large to make for a compelling display. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

  • 07 of 17

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    Even though ninebark was named for its bark, it is not in quite the same class as red twig dogwood. The Diablo cultivar offers something beyond an interesting bark: Dark foliage that makes it one of the so-called "black" plants.  

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Clay or loamy soil

  • 08 of 17

    Sviatlana Lazarenka / Getty Images

    Forsythia may be one of the earliest heralds of spring, but it's not as early as pussy willow, which displays its characteristic fuzzy white catkins even before the arrival of forsythia's yellow blooms. You can also try another willow shrub that grows quickly, Flamingo Japanese willow. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained

  • 09 of 17

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    Loropetalum's use is not restricted to the American Southeast, but that region may well be considered its "capital" in the New World, where it is evergreen and an immensely popular plant.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 9
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, loamy, acidic soil

  • 10 of 17

    MariuszBlach / Getty Images

    There are many kinds of evergreen arborvitae that are used in hedges (including the relatively small 'North Pole'), and they do not all exhibit the same rate of growth. Therefore, not all arborvitaes are equally suited for use in privacy hedges. A good choice for large privacy hedges is the fast grower 'Green Giant', which can reach 50 to 60 feet tall (with a spread of 12 to 20 feet). If you want a bush that is more compact and do not mind waiting a bit longer, 'Emerald Green' arborvitae is a better option. The latter usually reaches just 12 to 14 feet tall, with a spread of 3 to 4 feet. Its foliage comes in flat sprays and, if you look closely, the needles appear covered in scales. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, loamy soil

  • 11 of 17

    Iva Vagnerova / Getty Images

    One advantage that yews have over many similar evergreens is that these shade-tolerant plants will thrive in north-facing foundation plantings, no matter how sunlight-deprived. Yet they can be grown in full sun, too.

    Warning

    If you have small children, make sure they do not eat the berries: Their toxic seeds classify yew as poisonous plants. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to shade, depending on type
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained soil

  • 12 of 17

    pcturner71 / Getty Images

    This is not the poisonous plant that famously killed the Greek philosopher Socrates. No part of this tree is poisonous. Moreover, whether you think of hemlock as a tree or shrub may well depend on where you live. If you dwell in a rural area of North America, you probably know hemlock as a towering tree. But some of the finest privacy hedges in suburbia are composed of scaled-down Canadian, or Eastern, hemlocks. 

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 7
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist soil

  • 13 of 17

    Barry Winiker / Stockbyte / Getty Images

    Burning bush may be the poster child for invasive shrubs in North America. It is a fast grower with a terrific fall color that ranges from red to pinkish-red. Burning bush also produces reddish-orange berries in fall. Just be aware that this is an invasive shrub and should be planted with care.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 4 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Sandy, loamy soil

  • 14 of 17

    Garden fence with leylandii (Cupressocyparis leylandii) hedge. Stephen Shepherd/Getty Images

    Also known as leyland cypress, leylandii is a hybrid of Alaskan cedar and Monterey cypress. It is an aggressive grower, capable of growing up to 3 feet per year, and it gets a bad rap for being difficult to handle. However, if you keep up with annual or semi-annual pruning, leylandii makes an excellent privacy hedge or windbreak.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun
    • Soil Needs: Clay, loamy, sandy soil

  • 15 of 17

    Elena Odareeva / Getty Images

    Like most maples, the amur maple is prized for its brilliant fall color, but it's also a fast-growing shrub that makes a great privacy hedge as well as a winter windbreak. The most popular cultivar for hedges is 'Flame', which grows in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 8. It can grow up to 2 feet per year and needs only annual pruning to keep its shape.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 3 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Clay or loamy to sandy, well-drained soil

  • 16 of 17

    Martin Siepmann/Getty Images

    Cherry laurel, also commonly called English laurel, is a good option for those in relatively warm climates, as it's hardy only to zones 6 to 8. In ideal conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year. Its glossy green leaves are evergreen and do not change color in fall. Creamy white flowering clusters bloom in spring.

    • USDA Growing Zones: 6 to 8
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained soil

  • 17 of 17

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    The privet is the quintessential (or at least the most familiar) privacy hedge plant. It grows quickly, prunes nicely, and has flowers that lead to fruit clusters that last through the winter. While Ligustrum vulgare was once the most common type of privet planted, it has lost popularity to some of the more ornamental varieties, such as Japanese privet (L. japonicum).

    • USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 10
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part sun
    • Soil Needs: Well-drained, rich soil

    • 15 Fast Growing Ornamental Shrubs That Will Transform Your Plot

    Ornamental shrubs are capable of helping to realize any idea in landscaping both garden plots and megacities. But a lot depends on how fast they grow. To see the result earlier, plant the plants that we have selected for you.

    They are distinguished not only by high decorative qualities, but also by a significant annual growth of shoots. For some, it exceeds two meters. From these fast-growing shrubs, we hope you will be able to choose plantings for both single plantings and hedges.

    Yellow acacia (tree caragana)

    Deciduous shrub of the Leguminous family - tree caragana - better known by other names. For the similar structure of the leaves, it is called the Siberian and yellow acacia, and for the fruits in the form of pods - the pea.

    Caragana is widely used in landscaping to create dense hedges, because it grows quickly and easily tolerates a haircut. In its natural environment it grows up to 5 m in height.

    Gardens are filled with the aroma of numerous yellow flowers of the shrub, which bees love so much. Gardeners, on the other hand, love the Siberian acacia for its unpretentiousness, ease of reproduction and presentable appearance. In addition, yellow acacia is planted along the banks of ravines, because. it is able to strengthen their slopes and improve the soil.

    Buddley David

    David's exotic buddleia is distinguished by excellent annual growth of shoots. During the season, under favorable conditions, its stems increase by 2-2. 5 m. So that they do not stretch and become bare, pruning is necessary for the shrub.

    It is carried out in the spring, shortening tall plants to a level of 90 cm above the ground, and short plants to 30 cm. Thanks to this procedure, not only the appearance of the buddleia improves, but the flowering becomes more magnificent.

    A pleases the plant with its elongated racemes of different shades: from white to purple, from mid-summer to early autumn. All this time they exude a delicate honey aroma.

    Black elderberry

    Black elder retains its decorative effect from early spring to late autumn - a deciduous shrub that reaches a height of 3-4 m. Its varieties differ in size, shape of the crown and leaves, and their color. The fruits are both black and creamy golden with a red blush.

    Elderberry is especially beautiful in summer during the flowering period. Its lush corymbose inflorescences also have a pleasant aroma.

    Unlike the wild species of their "relatives", which are not afraid of frost, ornamental varieties of black elderberry in the conditions of the middle zone and the Moscow region need shelter for the winter. If the shrub still freezes, it is cut to a stump. The plant will quickly recover, because. well forms new shoots.

    Hydrangea

    Beautiful hydrangea will decorate any flower garden and garden. It has gained popularity around the world due to its lush flowering. There are more than a hundred species in the genus of shrubs, differing in height, color and shape of inflorescences.

    Among hydrangeas there are even trees and creepers growing up to 30 m. Shrubs reach a height of 1 to 3 m. Timely pruning gives them a well-groomed appearance. If desired, the plant can even be given a standard shape.

    Hydrangea is demanding in care. Needs regular watering, top dressing and shelter for the winter. The soil prefers slightly or moderately acid, does not tolerate midday heat and stagnant water.

    Action

    Oriental "relative" of hydrangea - action - blooms from June to July. If it is not cut off, then the perennial will grow rapidly, turning into a luxurious bush up to 1. 5 m tall. Abundant delicate flowers of action will decorate any garden, as well as the plant itself, which does not lose its decorative effect for a long time.

    It is easy to grow an action, it is unpretentious in care, but it needs shelter for the winter, because. afraid of frost. Plant it in a sunny, protected from cold winds place with low groundwater. In the spring, it is necessary to carry out sanitary pruning of the shrub, and after flowering, shorten its branches.

    Honeysuckle

    Honeysuckle is also a fast growing shrub. In landscaping, its inedible species are used. During the year, the shoots of an ornamental plant increase in length by almost 2 m (honeysuckle honeysuckle). This spectacular liana is able to quickly create a beautiful hedge along the fence, braid a gazebo or pergola.

    Almost all types of honeysuckle are undemanding to growing conditions and care. They only need mulching with rotted manure in the fall and phosphorus-potassium top dressing during the flowering period, rare watering in drought and light shelter for the winter.

    Common viburnum

    Viburnum ordinary decorates the garden throughout the year. It is magnificent in spring during lush flowering, good in summer with clusters of ripening yellowish-red berries, wonderful in autumn in a crimson dress. And in winter, its red fruits are the main accent in white silence.

    The useful properties of viburnum berries cannot be counted. However, in medicine, both folk and official, not only fruits are used, but also bark, seeds, young shoots of the plant. Its infusions and extracts treat many diseases, ranging from toothache to atherosclerosis.

    In addition, viburnum is a reliable soil protection crop. In cultivation, it is simple. Needs mainly pest protection and shaping pruning.

    Vesicle

    Ornamental throughout the season and vesicle is a deciduous shrub from the Rosaceae family. It is unpretentious and grows very quickly. At the beginning of summer, the plant is decorated with white flowers collected in hemispherical inflorescences, and from autumn to mid-winter - unusual leaflet fruits.

    The most popular in landscape design is the viburnum-leaf vesicle with spreading drooping branches and three- or five-lobed leaves of different colors (depending on the variety).

    Plant this ornamental shrub in open, sunny areas for vibrant foliage. Regular watering and pruning of the vesicle, both sanitary and shaping, will contribute to lush flowering and maintaining the attractiveness of the crown. Young plants need shelter in winter.

    Broom

    Such an unpretentious ornamental shrub as a broom with moth flowers is not yet widely spread in the landscaping of Russia. In nature, it grows in southern and central Europe. About 15 species have been introduced into cultivation. The most popular brooms are coronal, Cues, early, creeping and Zinger.

    The height of the bush varies from 20 cm to 3 m. Low-growing plants are planted in rock gardens, stony gardens. Higher shrubs are used in single and group plantings. They also strengthen the slopes. The broom is also a good honey plant.

    Growing a shrub is quite easy. It needs to be watered, fed and trimmed in a timely manner, as well as protected from diseases and pests. After flowering, it is necessary to cut the shoots to powerful side branches. Young plants should be covered for the winter.

    Red svidina

    An excellent plant for landscaping shady corners of the garden - red svidina, or red turf. Its strong red branches, which are not afraid of strong winds, look especially advantageous in winter.

    Svidina blooms at the end of May, and with good care even in September. Small flowers are collected in fluffy almost flat corymbs up to 7 cm in diameter. it has many root suckers. And also svidina is ideal for creating a hedge.

    Blood red currant

    Although the blood-red currant belongs to the berries, but more often it is used in landscape design, because. has many decorative properties. But her fruits - blue-black oval berries - cannot boast of a rich taste.

    This unusual shrub grows up to 4 m in height (in cultivation 1.5-2.5 m). The blood red currant is named for its red-brown straight shoots and pink-red racemes. Young leaves have a rich aroma.

    But it is not recommended to grow the plant in regions where the temperature drops below -23°C.

    Japanese spirea

    Japanese spirea is widely used to create hedges, in single and group plantings. Depending on the variety, it is undersized (20-30 cm) and taller - up to 1.3 m. The shrub blooms almost all summer, which attracts many gardeners. It is unpretentious and easily adapts to any climatic conditions.

    Japanese spirea flowers are pink-red, in autumn large green leaves, depending on the plant variety, turn yellow or pink-burgundy.

    Forsythia

    One of the first "wakes up" in the spring forsythia. Yellow bell flowers bloom on its leafless shoots. The branches are literally strewn with them. At the end of flowering, the shrub "changes clothes" in light green foliage, which turns golden or crimson-violet in autumn.

    For this multicolored wonder, choose well-lit areas with light and slightly alkaline soil. Forsythia does not tolerate waterlogging, needs shelter for the winter, regular sanitary and formative pruning.

    Photinia

    Photinia bushes from the Far East appear more and more often in gardens. True, it is only suitable for growing in the southern regions, because. cannot withstand low temperatures. This evergreen plant 1.5-3 m high attracts with its unusual foliage, which changes color from red to green.

    Photinia bears large white umbellate inflorescences in May-June. In autumn, dark red fruits with a diameter of about 1 cm ripen in their place, and the foliage becomes orange-purple.

    There are no particular difficulties in growing Photinia. She needs moderate watering and, during the growing season, monthly top dressing with complex mineral fertilizers.

    Mock orange

    One of the most undemanding shrubs, mock orange grows quickly and tolerates pruning well. For its strong aroma and white flowers, it is also called garden jasmine, although the plants belong to different families. Mock orange - to the Hortensievs, and jasmine - to the Maslinovs.

    "Imposter" blooms in June, filling the garden with its expressive scent. If you don’t like it, then there are varieties whose flowers practically do not smell. To enjoy the beauty and aroma longer, in hot weather, the mock orange must be watered and shaded for several hours a day.

    Due to annual pruning and strong growth, the shrub needs more nutrients. Therefore, three times a season: in early spring, before flowering and after it, the plant is fed with mineral and organic fertilizers.

    Most varieties of mock orange will not require shelter for the winter. it withstands frosts down to -25 ° C, but it will not interfere with young plants. Frozen shoots in the spring need to be cut, they will quickly recover.

    Each of these ornamental shrubs can quickly transform and beautify your yard. And with proper care and timely pruning, they will delight for a long time with their excellent appearance.

    Fast growing hedge shrubs: hardy varieties

    Plants on the site can serve not only as a decorative component, but also are able to perform certain functions. Cover unsightly outbuildings, strengthen the soil or divide the territory, for example. Today we will talk about deciduous shrubs that are suitable for forming hedges. A country house hedge is a densely planted chain of plants for decoration and division of space into certain zones, to replace the traditional fence, and protect the territory from prying eyes or even protect the garden from wild animals.

    Regardless of the purpose of the hedge, it is a very beautiful ornament that can transform any landscape.

    Hedge benefits:

    1. As we said above, a hedge is able to divide the site into certain zones. So, for example, with its help, you can separate the central areas from the adjacent area. Or a vegetable garden area from an orchard.

    2. A living wall can easily replace the fence we are used to. If you decide to delimit the territory with a non-traditional stationary fence, densely planted crops will hide your garden from prying eyes with ease.

    3. If your site is already fenced, but the fence is unattractive, or maybe just old, then hedges will also come to the rescue, which will create a picturesque background.

    4. The same rule applies inside the garden. By planting a dense hedge along the buildings, you can hide unattractive walls and give the overall landscape neatness.

    5. By choosing deciduous crops with thorns (for example, from hawthorn) for the construction of a living wall, you can not only decorate the garden, but also protect it from uninvited guests - wild animals.

    6. Dense growth of deciduous shrubs planted in a row will perfectly protect the site from the scorching sun, strong drafts

    7. If recreation areas are distributed on your site, a hedge can make these corners not only cozy, but also add coolness and shade on especially hot days. A great place to hide from the hustle and bustle while reading your favorite book!

    8. Of course, planted plants make the garden more presentable, add colors to it and make the air much cleaner.

    9. If you choose lush flowering plants for hedges, they will become excellent honey plants and will attract beneficial insects to your garden.

    10. Strengthening the soil. So that water erosion does not harm the soil cover, it is necessary to think about strengthening it. A sod slope is one of the mandatory elements in the case of a predominance of a non-uniform relief. Dense plantings of shrubs will come to the rescue in such a situation.

    Having analyzed the main functions of a hedge, let's proceed to the selection of plants. Since our goal is a thick, as if revived wall, performing the tasks of zoning, protecting and hiding the garden from prying eyes, the plants must be selected at a certain height: from one and a half meters. The second criterion for choosing seedlings is that they should be fast-growing shrubs for hedges, so that in a couple of years they will create a dense, lush barrier.

    Conditionally hedges are usually divided into 2 types: homogeneous and mixed. The former are created from one type of plant (a bright and dense living wall of barberry, for example), and in mixed ones several species alternate (for example, thuja, hydrangea, thuja, hydrangea, and so on).

    Popular deciduous shrubs for uniform hedges:

    Vesicle

    A very interesting shrub that looks impressive in ordinary plantings. It is valued for its decorative leaves with carved edges, juicy color, unpretentious care and good ability to tolerate haircuts. Depending on the variety, can be created as a single color hedge, for example using a variety with red foliage "Diabolo" (Diablo), and diversify the wall with a golden representative - the bubble "Dart`s Gold" (Darts Gold). A juicy, bright hedge year after year will enchant with its decorative effect with minimal labor to care for it.

    Deren

    Bright, attractive and shade-tolerant woody shrub - soren. All kinds of leaf colors will allow you to easily find a variety that is attractive to you: green with a white border, dark red, golden and others. Deren perfectly tolerates any vagaries of nature, grows quickly and has a dense, dense crown. Depending on the tasks, you can create a hedge in a free-growing form, or give the turf any shape - it safely tolerates shaping haircuts.

    Cotoneaster

    Asking the question: “What to make a hedge from?”, Turn your attention to the cotoneaster. Spectacular representative of deciduous shrubs, changing its foliage during the season. In summer it is juicy green, and by autumn it acquires crimson hues. By the end of summer, colorful black fruits will decorate the hedge. The cotoneaster is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to growing conditions, tolerates pruning perfectly, pleases for many years with its neat, dense crown. Great option for a living wall!

    Grefsheim gray spirea

    Charming flowering spirea that will not leave anyone indifferent. Thin sprawling shoots, rounded openwork crown, incredibly abundant flowering, juicy green foliage. By planting a spirea in a hedge, you will effortlessly create a dense, very beautiful wall, which every year will delight, covered with snow-white flowers and exuding a magnificent aroma. Spirea is not only very beautiful, but does not require additional attention at all: it is frost-resistant, puts up with light shading, does not require frequent watering and is good for haircuts.

    Hawthorn

    As we said above, hawthorn is very often used specifically to protect the site from unwanted wild animals. Its spines and crown create a dense veil from strangers. And due to the average density, the hawthorn lets in enough air so that the area is sufficiently ventilated. Depending on the species and variety, hawthorn can grow up to 6 meters in height, but some representatives do not grow more than 3. Since the hawthorn has a beautiful rounded crown, it will decorate your garden even without additional haircuts.

    Hydrangea

    When choosing which shrub to make a hedge, take into account the magnificent hydrangea. She is able to become not only a first-class tapeworm in your garden, but also in a hedge will enchant everyone around. Dense foliage carved along the edge, neat beautiful crown and, of course, large conspicuous inflorescences densely covering each seedling. A living wall of hydrangea throughout the season will delight you with its decorative effect: in spring and autumn with juicy greenery, and in summer with incomparable flowering and aroma.

    Snowberry

    Another great option for creating dense, interesting hedges is the snowberry, familiar from childhood. A dense deciduous shrub with unusual bluish-green foliage and unique fruits - white or pink balls densely covering each shoot, which children so love to "slap" their feet. It is characterized by high frost resistance, unpretentiousness to the composition of the soil, watering and does not require special care efforts.

    Barberry

    A favorite and often used by landscape designers to create hedges is the barberry. Its juicy neat leaves (depending on the variety and season, almost all the colors of the rainbow) form an openwork dense crown and bring color even to the most monotonous landscape. Excellent frost resistance and tolerability of haircuts make it possible to grow it in any garden. Thanks to the variety of species and varieties, every gardener will be able to choose any type of hedge: noble red, bright green, multi-colored with a frame, even and neat from shrubs with upright branches or lush thanks to spreading shoots. A variety of flowering, no less attractive fruits and foliage with a changeable color contribute to the fact that the barberry changes its appearance during the season without losing its decorative effect.

    Chubushnik

    The mock orange looks picturesque in a hedge (many used to call it jasmine). Juicy green leaves, sprawling attractive shape, thin graceful shoots, simple or double snow-white inflorescences and, of course, an incomparable aroma. A hedge in a dacha made of mock orange is not only a unique decoration, but also a planting that is completely unpretentious in care, capable of delighting you and your neighbors for many years.

    Irga

    If you want to plant in your garden not only an attractive, but also useful plant in its own way, then you should stop your attention on the irga. Thanks to unusual leaves that are able to change the color of foliage from month to month (from silver-green to various crimson hues), a hedge of shadberry will be attractive at any time, adding variety to the landscape. It is beautiful in an ordinary planting and, in addition, every year pleases its owners with delicious fruits. And in the spring, the irga is covered with snow-white inflorescences, shading the juicy foliage. Suitable for planting in partial shade.

    When choosing plants for a hedge, pay attention to the size of the crown of shrubs in adulthood: many of the above plants, depending on the type and variety, can create both medium (from 1.5 meters) and high walls (4-5 meters). The main thing is to choose what your garden needs and will meet the tasks.

    Mixed hedges on site

    Recently, mixed hedges, formed from various hardwood or coniferous species, have gained immense popularity. Such heterogeneous walls look quite impressive and, at least, unusual: they allow you to experiment with shape, color and texture, bringing zest to the landscape.

    Creating a mixed hedge is not difficult: you simply plant different types of plants in a certain order. So, for example, a living wall made of arborvitae, alternating in equal intervals with colorful turf, looks impressive. Or in an equal step blooming hydrangea with dark barberry.

    Or by choosing shrubs with interesting foliage: alternate a plain dark barberry with a bright bordered turf.

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