21 Lightning-Fast Privacy Shrubs That Create Your Secret Backyard Oasis

Looking for quick solutions to block unwanted views or create boundaries around your property?

Fast-growing privacy shrubs offer the perfect combination of beauty and function without the wait traditional hedges require.

Unlike fences that need maintenance and permits, living screens grow more beautiful each year while providing habitat for birds and beneficial insects.

These green barriers filter noise, trap dust, and create microclimates that benefit your entire landscape.

Discover these rapid-growing privacy champions that will transform your exposed yard into a secluded retreat in record time.

1: Green Giant Arborvitae

This exceptional evergreen grows an impressive 3-5 feet annually until reaching mature heights of 30-40 feet.

Its natural pyramidal shape requires minimal pruning to maintain a tidy appearance.

Green Giants resist deer browsing and tolerate various soil conditions better than many alternatives.

Plant these powerhouses 6-8 feet apart for a solid privacy screen within just 2-3 years.

Their dense foliage remains attractive year-round, providing consistent screening even during winter months.

2: Leyland Cypress

Reaching growth rates of 3-4 feet yearly, these classic screening conifers create privacy faster than almost any alternative.

Their feathery blue-green foliage forms an impenetrable barrier when planted 6-8 feet apart. Leyland Cypress thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts to most soil types.

Keep your pruning shears handy, though—these vigorous growers require regular trimming to prevent them from outgrowing their space.

Consider their mature height of 40-60 feet when planning placement near structures or power lines.

3: Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)

Certain bamboo varieties shoot up 3-5 feet annually, creating exotic-looking privacy screens with distinctive character.

Choose clumping varieties like Freesia to avoid the invasive spreading of running types.

Bamboo maintains year-round foliage with the bonus of unique textural interest and gentle rustling sounds.

Plant 3-5 feet apart for quick screening, with mature heights ranging from 8-20 feet depending on variety.

Consider container planting if you’re concerned about potential spreading in your landscape.

4: Forsythia

These deciduous shrubs explode with bright yellow flowers in early spring before their dense green foliage emerges.

Forsythia grows 1-2 feet annually, quickly reaching mature heights of 8-10 feet with equal spread.

Their arching branches create natural privacy when left unpruned, though you can maintain a more manicured look with regular trimming.

Plant 4-6 feet apart for foundations of spectacular seasonal screening.

While forsythia loses leaves in winter, their thick branch structure still provides partial visual barriers during dormancy.

5: North Privet

This adaptable privacy champion grows an impressive 2-3 feet yearly when properly established.

North Privet’s dense, small leaves create fine-textured screens that respond beautifully to regular shearing.

You’ll appreciate its tolerance for urban pollution, varying soil conditions, and partial shade situations.

Plant 2 feet apart for quick-forming hedges that mature to 10-15 feet tall if left unpruned.

While deciduous, privets with consistent pruning develop branch structures dense enough to maintain reasonable winter screening.

6: Nellie Stevens Holly

Combining rapid growth of 2-3 feet annually with year-round privacy, this holly variety delivers beauty and function.

Its glossy evergreen leaves and bright red winter berries provide multi-season interest beyond mere screening.

Nellie Stevens Holly reaches 15-25 feet tall with a naturally dense, pyramidal growth habit.

Plant these tough performers 5-6 feet apart for optimal screening without creating maintenance headaches.

Their natural resistance to pests and diseases means fewer problems than many fast-growing alternatives.

7: American Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’

This compact evergreen grows 1-2 feet yearly until reaching a manageable 12-14 feet tall with a narrow 3-4 foot width.

The emerald foliage retains its rich color even during harsh winters, unlike many screening plants.

Their columnar form makes these perfect for narrow spaces where width restrictions challenge other privacy options.

Plant 2-3 feet apart for seamless screening without consuming excessive garden space.

Regular watering during establishment encourages the fastest possible growth rates for quick privacy solutions.

8: Oleander

In warm climate zones (8-10), oleander shoots up 3-4 feet annually while providing spectacular flowering displays throughout summer.

This drought-tolerant champion develops into a 10-12 foot screening solution with minimal care.

The glossy evergreen foliage creates year-round privacy with the bonus of pink, red, or white blooms.

Plant 4-5 feet apart for optimal coverage while allowing sufficient airflow between plants.

Remember that all parts of oleander are toxic, so consider placement away from children’s play areas.

9: Red-Tipped Photini

This striking evergreen shrub grows 2-3 feet yearly while providing dramatic color changes throughout the seasons.

New growth emerges bright red before maturing to glossy green, creating constant visual interest.

Photini develops into dense 10-15 foot privacy screens with regular pruning to encourage the red new growth.

Plant 4-5 feet apart for solid coverage while allowing adequate air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Spring brings clusters of white flowers that add another dimension of seasonal appeal to your living boundary.

10: Viburnum ‘Awabakal’

This rapidly growing evergreen pushes 2-3 feet of new growth annually while developing incredibly glossy, tropical-looking foliage.

Mature heights of 10-20 feet create substantial privacy screens with minimal effort.

Large white flower clusters appear in spring, followed by red berries that attract birds to your garden.

Plant 4-6 feet apart to allow these vigorous growers room to develop their naturally full shape.

The dense growth habit provides excellent noise reduction along with visual screening from neighbors.

11: Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’)

This versatile evergreen grows 1-2 feet yearly while tolerating difficult conditions that challenge other privacy options.

The glossy, broad leaves create effective screening even in partial shade environments.

Skip Laurel produces fragrant white flower spikes in spring that transform into small black berries by fall.

Plant 4-5 feet apart for hedges that quickly reach 10-18 feet with minimal maintenance requirements.

Their shade tolerance makes these ideal for north-facing boundaries where sun-loving options struggle.

12: Double-file Viburnum

These show stopping deciduous shrubs grow 1-2 feet annually while providing multi-season interest beyond basic screening.

Horizontal branches display distinctive “files” of white spring flowers followed by red-to-black berries.

Mature heights of 8-10 feet with equal width create substantial privacy during growing seasons.

Plant 5-6 feet apart to allow their elegant branching structure sufficient development space.

Fall brings spectacular burgundy foliage color before winter dormancy reveals their architectural branch patterns.

13: Japanese Pittosporum

In zones 8-10, this versatile evergreen grows 1-2 feet yearly while offering variegated or solid green foliage options.

Its natural density creates effective screening without constant pruning demands.

Mature heights of 6-12 feet suit mid-sized privacy needs with minimal maintenance requirements.

Plant 3-4 feet apart for quick-forming hedges with tiny fragrant flowers appearing in spring.

Their excellent salt tolerance makes these ideal privacy solutions for coastal properties with challenging conditions.

14: Wax Myrtle

This native evergreen grows 3-5 feet annually in favorable conditions while providing habitat value beyond basic screening.

Aromatic gray-green leaves emit pleasant fragrances when brushed against or after rain.

Mature heights of 10-15 feet develop quickly with minimal care requirements once established.

Plant 4-5 feet apart for natural-looking boundaries that attract beneficial wildlife to your property.

Females produce abundant blue-gray berries that birds devour, making these excellent conservation choices for privacy screens.

15: Eastern Red Cedar

This native evergreen conifer grows 1-3 feet yearly while developing impressive drought tolerance once established.

The dense blue-green foliage creates effective year-round screening with distinctive character.

Mature heights of 40-50 feet mean these make substantial privacy solutions for larger properties.

Plant 5-8 feet apart for naturalistic screens that provide significant wildlife habitat as they mature.

Their extreme durability means these continue thriving through challenging conditions that stress other options.

16: Hibiscus Hedge (Rose of Sharon)

These deciduous flowering shrubs grow 1-2 feet annually while providing spectacular summer blooms in various colors.

Mature heights of 8-12 feet create substantial seasonal screening with minimal maintenance.

Hibiscus hedges tolerate urban conditions better than many alternatives, thriving despite pollution and varied soils.

Plant 4-5 feet apart for summer privacy screens that attract pollinators to your garden.

Though deciduous, their dense branch structure still provides moderate winter screening while revealing interesting architecture.

17: Carolina Cherry Laurel

This broadleaf evergreen grows 1-3 feet yearly while developing glossy, dense foliage perfect for privacy needs.

Mature heights of 15-20 feet create substantial screening with minimal pruning requirements.

Fragrant white flower spikes appear in spring, followed by small black fruits that attract birds.

Plant 4-6 feet apart for hedges that quickly establish solid privacy boundaries around your property.

Their adaptability to various soil types makes these reliable performers in challenging landscape situations.

18: Golden Bamboo

This dramatic grass grows an astonishing 3-5 feet annually, creating exotic-looking privacy screens with distinctive yellow culms.

Mature heights of 15-20 feet develop remarkably quickly compared to traditional shrubs. The distinctive golden stems contrast beautifully with bright green foliage year-round.

Plant in containers or with proper barriers, as this running bamboo exhibits aggressive spreading tendencies.

Consider their dramatic visual impact and unique movement characteristics when planning your landscape design.

19: California Lilac (Ceanothus)

These west coast natives grow 1-3 feet yearly while covering themselves with stunning blue flower clusters each spring.

Mature heights of 6-12 feet depend on variety, with some forming upright screens and others more arching.

Their drought tolerance once established makes these excellent low-maintenance privacy options.

Plant 3-5 feet apart for naturalistic boundaries that attract beneficial insects and hummingbirds.

Evergreen varieties provide year-round screening with the bonus of spectacular spring flowering displays.

20: Ahuja Green Giant

This hybrid arborvitae grows an impressive 3-5 feet annually until reaching mature heights of 30-40 feet.

Its natural pyramidal shape requires minimal maintenance while providing dense evergreen screening.

Ahuja resists deer browsing better than many alternatives and adapts to various soil conditions.

Plant 5-6 feet apart for quick-forming privacy screens that remain attractive throughout all seasons.

Their resistance to most diseases and pests makes these reliable, low-maintenance options for long-term privacy solutions.

21: Flame Amur Maple

This deciduous small tree/large shrub grows 1-2 feet yearly while offering spectacular fall coloration in fiery reds and oranges.

Multi-stemmed forms create 15-20 foot privacy screens with distinctive character. Spring brings tiny red flowers followed by decorative winged seed pods that persist into winter.

Plant 8-10 feet apart for seasonal privacy screens with four-season ornamental characteristics.

Though winter-deciduous, their dense branching provides partial screening even during dormant months.

Conclusion

Select privacy shrubs based on your climate zone, available space, and desired maintenance level.

Start planting today, and you’ll enjoy significant screening results within just a couple of growing seasons.