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What is the fastest growing hedge


7 Fast-Growing Hedges & Shrubs for Privacy

Home > Fast Growing Hedges

Fast-growing hedges are always in high demand! The main uses are:

Regardless of the reason for wanting a rapidly-growing tall hedge or privacy screen, we have excellent options for any space. These varieties will grow more than 1 foot per year (some can grow up to 4 feet per year in ideal conditions). They are all well-suited to hedging, so they can also be pruned to remain tight and kept at any desired height. Some are fast growing evergreen trees for privacy, some are deciduous. These plants are fastest growing shrubs in Florida and other states. We’ve included detailed information on each with the best ways to use and maintain them.

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7 Varieties of Fast Growing Hedges

ENCOURAGING FAST GROWTH

It is important to note that, although these varieties do grow fast when compared with some other types, a big factor in the growth rate is the environment. Fast growing privacy hedge and shrubs that are stressed from lack of water, extreme temperatures, or the wrong exposure (i.e. too much sun or too much shade), will grow much slower than the typical growth rates.

If getting a tall hedge fast is important to you, you will need to make sure to do the following 5 things:

1. Choose the right hedge for the right space.

If you don’t plant your hedge in the right site, fast growing shrubs will never thrive. Full sun plants need to be planted in full sun. Plants that are borderline hardiness will be damaged each winter by frost. Water-loving varieties can’t be planted in deserts. Do your research before planting, choose a plant that suits your site, and you will be just fine. Keep in mind that a plant that tolerates both shade and sun will generally grow faster in more sun.

2. Plant your hedge at the right time.

Planting an Amur Maple hedge in the middle of July in full sun with limited supplemental water is going to set the plants back significantly. The ideal time to plant is fall, after the hedges are dormant. You can also safely plant fast growing evergreen trees for privacy through the winter in areas where the ground does not freeze hard, and spring is also a good time. Doing this for fast growing shrubs saves your work and worry and saves the plants a lot of stress.

3. Water for the first 1-2 years

Once your hedge has been in the ground for several years and has had a chance to send roots deep into the soil, it will need very little supplemental water, if any. However, it is important to provide ample water during the first 1-2 growing seasons after planting. The best way to do this is to lay a drip line along the length of your fast growing shrubs and run for an hour at a time every few days to water deeply.

4. Fertilize

Fast growing shrubs are very low-maintenance, but if you want optimum growth, applying a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer will help. It is best to apply in the spring right before growth begins.

5. Prune at the right times

Spring is generally the best time to prune, as this stimulates new growth and ensures that no tender new shoots will be frozen if they emerge too close to winter. Yearly pruning, although it seems counterintuitive for a fast-growing hedge, really helps create a nice, dense hedge. You’ll be glad you did it!

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FLAME AMUR MAPLE

Acer Ginnala ‘Flame’

Flame Amur Maple is our favorite deciduous fast-growing hedge. It has outstanding fall color in fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. It is very cold-hardy (down to -40ºF!) and can be grown in most parts of the US.

It can easily be grown as a hedge thanks to its multi-stemmed natural habit and can be maintained by pruning once per year. It thrives in full sun to part shade, and it is quite drought-tolerant once established.

Flame Amur Maple makes one of the best fast growing shrubs screens that provide shade in the summer and still allows light through in the winter.

ENGLISH LAUREL (CHERRY LAUREL)

Prunus Laurocerasus

English laurel (or Cherry Laurel) can make an enormous fast-growing hedge. Under the right conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year! It does very well in heat. It has glossy evergreen foliage and makes a very attractive large hedge with regular pruning 1-2 times per year. English laurel grows in full sun to partial shade. It tolerates a wide variety of soil types and is very drought-tolerant once established. It is smog and salt tolerant, and deer will not touch it. English laurel makes a tough-as-nails, versatile, and seriously fast-growing hedge. The perfect fast growing shrubs for large spaces where privacy is needed. The hedge is considered as one of the best fast growing evergreen trees for privacy in the USA.

SCHIP LAUREL

Prunus Laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’

Schip laurels (or Skip laurels) are a very popular shrub to use for an evergreen fast-growing hedge. They can easily make a tall and narrow hedge with pruning once per year and occasional shaping. They are fast growing evergreen trees for zone 5. It has the advantage over most other fast-growing hedge types of tolerating full sun to full shade. Schip laurels fast growing shrubs also grow well in a wide variety of soil types, is drought-tolerant once established, and is not bothered by smog or salt. It does well in heat and is cold hardy to zone 6 or even warmer parts of zone 5. Schip laurel makes a durable fast-growing hedge that is ideal for privacy and for hiding fences.

PORTUGUESE LAUREL

Prunus Lusitanica

Portuguese laurel is a stunning fast-growing evergreen hedge that works well for warm, coastal regions. It grows quickly but is easy to maintain due to its mostly spreading habit. With pruning once per year, it quickly makes a very dense hedge. Portuguese laurel thrives in warm climates and does well in drought, smog, and salt. It grows in a wide range of soils, including poor soils. It is deer-resistant. It can take full sun and partial shade. Though a little slower-growing than the English laurel or Schip laurel, Portuguese laurel makes an excellent fast-growing hedge with less maintenance required. Its thickness makes it one of the best hedges for privacy, wind-block, and noise-block. It is also perfect for hiding fences.

AMERICAN ARBORVITAE

Thuja Occidentalis

American Arborvitae is a popular plant for evergreen fast-growing hedges. It is extremely cold-hardy so it is especially useful in the Northern US. They are fast growing shrubs but easy to maintain as a clipped hedge with one pruning per year. It is low-maintenance and fairly drought-tolerant once established. It does well in urban environments. Unfortunately, deer can be a problem. American Arborvitae make a wonderful, low-maintenance, evergreen, fast-growing hedge. It works especially well as a privacy hedge.

GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAE

Thuja X ‘Green Giant’

Green Giant Arborvitae is the big exception to the rule that Arborvitae grow slowly. This hybrid Thuja typically grows 3 feet per year, with some reports circulating of it growing 5 feet in one year! If you need a fast-growing, large, evergreen Arborvitae hedge, Green Giant is a perfect choice. It will take some work to maintain if you want to keep it as a medium-sized hedge, but one pruning per year will suffice for a large hedge. Green Giant grows in full sun to partial shade and is resistant to many diseases and pests, including deer. It tolerates many soils, but consistently damp and poor-draining sites should be avoided. It grows well in the humidity of the Southeastern US. Green Giant Arborvitae is a classic fast-growing hedge. It is a popular choice for privacy and wind-breaks, and will remain healthy in many areas where other Arborvitae would struggle.

VIRESCENS WESTERN RED CEDAR

Thuja Plicata ‘Virescens’

Virescens Western Red Cedar is a wonderful fast-growing hedge for warmer regions where other Arborvitae might not thrive. It has a unique upright-branching habit and responds well to hedging. Virescens naturally grow tall and narrow, so it lends itself well to a tall privacy hedge. One pruning per year is sufficient to maintain a nice hedge. Native to the Pacific Northwest, Virescens does well everywhere that isn’t too hot or too cold. It tolerates partial shade as well as full sun, and it holds its green color all year. Deer leave it alone. Virescens Western Red Cedar is so well-suited to forming a fast-growing hedge that it requires very little maintenance. Virescens’ fast growing shrubs make a very handsome privacy hedge and hide fences well. So if you are looking for a non-toxic privacy hedge to hide ugly fence of neighbors or your breakfast area that looks ugliest like never before then this is one of the best fast growing privacy hedges to consider.

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English Laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus) - InstantHedge

Check AvailabilityWith rich evergreen foliage throughout the year and dense branches, English laurel or Prunus Laurocerasus is a popular hedge for those wanting a lush evergreen privacy screen. As it is a fast-growing shrub, English Laurel hedge makes an excellent choice for a taller privacy hedge or border.

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There are a number of immediate benefits to choosing the English laurel for your next hedge:

PRUNUS LAUROCERASUS DETAILS

The English laurel is well-suited to sunnier climates and is more drought-resistant than other shrub varieties, which makes it a popular hedging plant choice throughout the U. S.

An unpruned English laurel can reach up to 40 feet in height, but keeping it around 10 to 12 feet tall makes it a perfect backyard privacy screen.

The tiny clusters of cream-colored flowers that arrive in the spring are pleasantly fragrant and the namesake cherry-like fruit is devoured by birds in late summer.

The English laurel thrives with more direct sun in cooler climates, while it prefers some shade in more extreme heat zones.

The shrub’s large, glossy evergreen leaves are beautiful and recover easily from shearing, which makes the plant great for regular pruning.

Prunus laurocerasus is native to parts of Europe and Asia Minor, and the shrub has been a popular cultivated plant since at least 1576 and has been used in the United States since the colonial era.

As it is more salt-resistant than many other hedges, Prunus laurocerasus is popular in warmer coastal regions.

The naturally oval-shaped habit can be pruned into unique shapes, should that be desired. Other similar laurel hedge types are Schip laurel and Portuguese laurel. Also, check out more hedge types with both deciduous and evergreen options.

USDA Hardiness Zones:6 - 9
Your Hardiness Zone:

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Sun/Shade:Partial to Full Sun
Deer Resistance:Yes
Watering Requirements:Weekly, or possibly more often in extreme heat
Growth Rate:Fast
Mature Size:12’ height and 8’ width for average landscape use
Drought Tolerance:High
West Coast - Sunset Heat Zones:4 - 9 and 14 - 24
Pest/Disease Issues:
Long-term health generally unaffected by pests. Mites, borers and caterpillars are attracted to the laurel. Moderately susceptible to shot-hole, powdery mildew and root rot.

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Fast-growing hedge - selection of plants, planting rules

There is probably no such gardener who would not dream of having a beautiful hedge on the site. But as you imagine how many years to wait until it grows up, the desire immediately disappears. We hasten to dispel your doubts. In nature, there are many plants that are characterized by rapid growth, and breeders are constantly replenishing this list with new and new varieties.

To make it easier for you to navigate, we have made a small selection of such plants with a brief description and recommendations on how to plant them correctly.

Fast-growing trees and shrubs - the best solution for creating a dense and picturesque hedge

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Fast-growing plants for uniform hedges

Fast-growing trees and shrubs are considered to be trees and shrubs that give 30–60 cm of growth per year. Such "haste" is among coniferous and deciduous plants, evergreen and deciduous. We've taken a few from each group so you can find the right one for your garden.

Leyland's Cupressocyparis (Cuprocyparis Leylandii)

This coniferous evergreen tree is one of the fastest growing hedge trees. With good care, it gives a yearly growth of 70-100 cm. It is decorated with lush dark green needles, which retain their decorative effect all year round.

The plant is very flexible. It can be used to create formal green screens and sheared rectangular fences, hold the plant at a certain height and let it grow freely. With regular pruning, the foliage remains thick and dense to ground level.

Cupressocyparis is tolerant of wind and cold temperatures (down to –25 °C), prefers moist loamy soils, loves the sun, but also grows well in partial shade.

To quickly get a dense green wall, it is recommended to plant 2 plants per linear meter. If you plant trees at a distance of 1 m from each other, they will close in 5-6 years.

Cupressocypress in a hedge

Thuia occidentalis Brabant

Another conifer ideal for making a fast growing green wall is Thuja occidentalis Brabant with a growth rate of 30–40 cm per year. She tolerates a haircut better than other thujas, unpretentious, shade-tolerant, frost-resistant, has a dense branched crown. An added bonus is the amazing pine aroma.

To obtain a dense hedge, the plants are planted in one row at 60-70 cm intervals. At least 60 cm must be set back from the fence, otherwise the plants will get sick due to poor air circulation.

Thuja occidentalis "Brabant"

Laurel cherry (Prunus Laurocerasus)

If you don't want a coniferous fence, pay attention to the evergreen shrub laurel cherry. Its rounded shiny bright green leaves look beautiful all year round.

Due to its high growth rate (30–50 cm per year) and good bushiness, plants quickly form a dense screen, especially if planted close, but no more than 2–3 plants per 1 meter.

Laurel cherry is unpretentious to soils, grows without problems in the shade, lends itself well to molding. The shrub withstands frosts down to -20 ° C, is suitable for the southern regions and the mild climate of the Kaliningrad region, in colder conditions sheds foliage for the winter. However, note that all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals.

Beautiful laurel cherry border

European beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Beech is a deciduous tree often used to make neat, trimmed rectangular hedges. In favorable conditions, it gives an annual growth of 30–50 cm. In spring, the plant is covered with thin, as if fluttering, leaves, which in autumn acquire a copper tint and do not fly around for a long time.

The plant prefers full sun and partial shade, well-drained loam rich in nutrients. The planting density in the hedge is 3-4 plants per linear meter. If you plant trees in several rows, leave at least 80 cm between them.

European beech forms hedges from 1 to 5 m high

Landscaping project
site design from Sad-dizain

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Common hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus)

The common hornbeam is a deciduous tree with beautiful toothed leaves, outwardly it looks like a beech. The hornbeam is much less demanding on soils than beech - it grows on almost any soil with an annual growth of 30–50 cm. The plant is plastic and suitable for creating rectangular and curly hedges. Planting density is the same as that of beech.

Unusual figured fence made of common hornbeam

Thunberg barberry (Berberis thunbergii)

To create a low (1–1.5 m), but absolutely impenetrable barrier along the perimeter of the site, a fast-growing deciduous barberry shrub is suitable. The plant is represented by numerous species and varieties with green, purple, golden foliage. The annual growth of a shrub is 20–25 cm. The planting density depends on the variety, but on average it is 3–4 bushes per linear meter.

Border planting of barberry and boxwood

Cotoneaster lucidus (Cotoneaster Lucidus)

Cotoneaster belongs to fast-growing shrubs. It is often positioned as a plant for lazy gardeners. It is unpretentious, shade-tolerant, frost-resistant, bushes well, is easy to cut, and keeps its shape for a long time. At different times of the year, cotoneaster is decorative in its own way: in spring - early pink flowering, in summer - dark shiny foliage, in autumn - crimson color, in winter - red spots of berries.

Curbs and fences up to 1.5 m high are formed from cotoneaster. When planted in a single row, bushes are planted in the amount of 3 pieces per meter. To get a wide impenetrable fence, but of a lower height, they practice a two-row planting, placing plants in a checkerboard pattern in the amount of 5-6 pieces per 1 meter.

In autumn, your garden paths will be lined with golden and reddish-yellow cotoneaster hedges

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The most impatient can use to create hedges climbing perennials - ivy, honeysuckle honeysuckle, parthenocissus, climbing roses. There are also annual flowers that can create a dense picturesque wall in one season - climbing kobe, morning glory, dolichos, etc.

Blooming honeysuckle fence

Landscaping project
plot from Sad-dizain

Read more coniferous species and 2-3-year-old - deciduous. For free-growing hedges, you can take older plants.

Planting material is planted in two ways - in a trench and in a hole. Planting density is determined depending on the type of plant. Usually, when planting in a single row, shrubs are placed at a distance of 35–60 cm, trees - 80–120 cm. When laying double-row hedges, planting in a checkerboard pattern is practiced.

The planting trench is 50-60 cm deep and 40-50 cm wide for one row. The soil is taken out and mixed or completely replaced with a nutrient composition according to the needs of the crop.

The preferred planting time is from April to mid-May. When laying in the autumn, it is advisable to plant conifers before the end of August, hardwoods - until mid-October.

Planting a hedge

As you can see, the dream of a hedge can be much closer to reality than you thought. Having chosen the plant you like, you can plant it yourself or entrust the bookmark to us by ordering site landscaping project .

The fastest growing hedge: choosing plants

The hedge looks especially beautiful on summer days. It will not only protect the site from strangers, but also help to form certain zones for various purposes on it.

A variety of growing materials can be used for a green fence: shrubs, vines and trees. Properly selected plants will delight with greenery and flowering for many years without losing their decorative qualities with regular care.

Approximate timing of the formation of the hedge

A hedge of plants that grow quickly can be equipped with several types of plantings. Such a fence requires constant care, both during the growth of only planted shoots, and during the already formed fence. Plants for the hedge are selected so that the hedge is of the same height and density. After all, different types of greenery grow unevenly - some specimens stretch upwards, others have time to grow in width during this time.

A full-fledged two-meter hedge can be formed from fast-growing perennials in about 2 years.

Plants are selected so that they fence off the territory, but do not penetrate into the neighboring area. Both perennials and annuals are used for hedges. Annual plants need to be replanted every year, which is not always acceptable. Annuals are also not suitable for fencing the outside of the site.

Fast growing shrubs

Fast-growing bushes - the best solution for the formation of a dense hedge in a short time. For fencing the site from the outside, specimens with thorns are suitable. The result is an impenetrable fence that will qualitatively protect the territory from uninvited guests and animals. You can pick up not only ornamental shrubs, but also fruit-bearing . You will receive both a chic fence and blanks for the winter.

Shrubs are selected taking into account the characteristics of the site, soil composition and climate. Different types of bushes can be combined with each other.

Copies are selected so that the result is a fence of approximately the same size. Some shrubs have a negative attitude towards the removal of tops. Next, consider the most suitable species for a fast-growing hedge.

Dogwood

Shade-tolerant and unpretentious shrub. It is ideal for outdoor hedges. It has beautiful leaves and ornamental fruits that are edible. Berries due to their nutritional properties are used in folk medicine. The height of the bush is 2-5 m. It blooms from March to April for about two weeks, then the leaves bloom. Fruits abundantly in open areas and neutral soil, but grows well under any other conditions.

Planted in spring or early summer. You can form a dogwood hedge bookmark in the fall, but no later than 3 weeks before frost. When planting in the fall, the leaves are removed from the seedlings. For laying a hedge, specimens under the age of two years are suitable. Autumn planting for the winter can be covered with foliage.

Kalinolistny vesicle

Unpretentious shrub with excellent decorative qualities. The plant has a lush rounded crown. It can grow in the shade, but the leaves lose their rich color. The bush is great for urban hedges located along highways.

Container hedges are suitable. They can be planted throughout the warm period. Frost-resistant, does not require shelter. Only in very severe frosts can the tips of the shoots freeze slightly.

Barberry

Prickly shrub that can grow in any soil, drought-resistant. Poorly refers to the stagnation of water in the area. Thanks to the thorns, an impenetrable fence is formed.

Both short and tall varieties are used for hedges. The plant is decorative, especially during the flowering period and when the fruits ripen. For the fence you will need a large amount of material. The fruits are suitable for home preparations.

Tern

Unpretentious and undemanding in care. Bushes are compact up to 3 m high, do not require careful pruning. The fence is thick and impenetrable. The fruits are edible after frost, have medicinal properties. The hedge is especially beautiful in the spring during the flowering period, when the leaves have not yet blossomed on it. It attracts with almond aroma.

When laying a hedge, each bush is cut, leaving a height of up to 15 cm. This measure allows you to accelerate the growth of the shrub. To obtain an impenetrable fence, pruning for the next year can be repeated. Next, maintain the desired height.

You can see a photo of a hedge in a country house from various plants in this article.

How to plant and care for a spruce hedge - read here.

Read about the advantages and disadvantages, as well as hawthorn varieties for hedges, in this article.

Climbing plants

For a fast-growing hedge, annuals can be used, provided that they will be placed on a support as a decorative element. They are sown quite thickly. Such plants will not protect the territory from animals and strangers, but they will carefully cover it from unwanted eyes. Plants are renewed every year.

For an annual fence, kobeya, sweet peas, morning glory (twisted panych), ornamental beans, nasturtium and others are suitable. They are intertwined with each other, as a result, a solid green flowering panel up to 5 m high is obtained, depending on the type of annuals.

The following types of perennials are also popular.

Climbing roses

Very decorative when in bloom. The fence of them turns out to be impenetrable due to the thorns and the interlacing of the vine. The shrub is recommended to be slightly separated from other flowers. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water. It should not be planted in places where groundwater is located closer than 2 m.

Hedges are laid in autumn until mid-October. They form the appearance of the hedge from the second year after planting the bushes. Plants are tied up. A horizontal garter gives only growth in height, a vertical garter gives a large number of shoots. This must be taken into account when forming the density of the fence.

Clematis

Decorative throughout the warm period. For laying the fence, bushes no older than two years are used, they are planted in the fall. Plants grow optimally in open areas. Clematis do not tolerate acidic soils, water overflow and constant dampness, fertilizer with peat and manure. In hot weather, the soil must be protected from overheating by mulching with humus.

In order for clematis to bloom profusely, they must be pruned. For the winter, the bushes are covered, since the root neck of the bush is subject to freezing, especially those parts of it that have not yet risen to the surface.

Honeysuckle

Ornamental shrub up to 6 m high. It attracts landscapers with its high decorative qualities throughout the warm season. The hedge can be formed from various varieties of honeysuckle. The result is a flowering fence of various shades: yellow, carmine red, rose red and orange yellow. Pairs beautifully with climbing roses.

The fruits are edible, in some varieties they fall off by themselves. The first 5-7 years, only sanitary pruning is needed, the crown of the hedge is formed at a later age.

Ivy

Decorative due to its foliage, which develops in large numbers. Fences can be assembled from different plant varieties. The bush tolerates shade well, but in too shaded places it loses foliage. Does not tolerate scorching sunlight. Ivy is not picky about soil, pruning and care, the main thing is that the soil does not dry out.

Fast growing fence trees

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is the fastest growing tree. For landscaping, the varieties Gunni, few-flowered and lemon are used. They are undemanding to the soil, drought-resistant. The height of the fence is adjusted by pruning. It is recommended to cover for the winter. Do not allow the soil to dry out.

Willow

Suitable as a fast growing hedge, undemanding to soil quality. Some varieties can be given the shape of a shrub by cutting the trunk. There are low-growing and dwarf trees, for example, purple willow, goat willow; they are very decorative as a green fence, but love moisture. It is recommended to spray the hedge in the heat.

Aspen

Unpretentious and grows in any soil. The hedge is formed from young shoots no older than a year. The branches are intertwined with each other, it turns out an impregnable fence. The tree does not require maintenance. The height of the hedge is controlled by pruning, in which case a lot of overgrowth appears. Aspen mushrooms appear under such a fence over time.

Field maple

Suitable for hedges 2-4 m high. Does not tolerate acidic soil. It grows equally in the sun and in the shade, easily tolerates drought and heat. Responds well to haircuts. It is pruned twice a year, removing thick lignified branches. Very decorative throughout the warm period, especially in autumn.

Other types of fast growing trees can be found in the following video:

Undesirable plants for hedges

It is not recommended to use plants for hedges that grow strongly in different directions, digging the soil. Such specimens include raspberry and blackberry, irga, fieldfare and the like. Such plants should not be planted on the border with another site. They are very difficult to control by pruning.

It is not recommended to plant hedges that are susceptible to attack by pests and diseases, for example, viburnum . A dense fence during an “epidemic” is difficult to treat with chemicals, moreover, such treatment is harmful to health. Such a fence quickly loses its beautiful appearance due to pests, it is extremely difficult to completely protect it from diseases.

It is not recommended to use non-hardy perennials for fast growing hedges. Freezing specimens will need to be systematically replaced; in severe frosts, the hedge can completely die. Do not plant plants that need replant periodically . Such a fence gradually degenerates, losing its original appearance.

Planting and care

Initially mark the territory. Material for a fast-growing hedge can be planted in two ways: dig a trench at least 40 cm deep and 60-100 cm wide, depending on the number of rows, or dig holes for each instance separately.

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