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Specs are compiled from manufacturer listings and verified buyer reviews and can change over time — please confirm the key details on the product page before buying.
Waiting years for a privacy hedge to fill in is the slowest part of landscaping. These shrubs add several feet of new growth each year, so you can skip the decade-long wait. A few of these shrubs push several feet of new growth every single year, turning an open yard into a secluded retreat faster than you might think.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind WellFizz. This guide is built by comparing the manufacturers’ published specifications and the patterns across verified customer reviews, so you get each pick’s real strengths and trade-offs instead of marketing spin.
From towering evergreens to dense flowering screens, these are the fast growing shrubs for privacy that actually deliver on their growth promises.
Our Picks at a Glance
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Shrubs For Privacy
Before you buy, match the shrub to your hardiness zone (the USDA map that tells you which plants survive your winter cold) — otherwise it may die in your yard. Then decide: do you want year-round coverage from an evergreen, or is a deciduous screen (one that drops its leaves in winter) fine for you?
Growth rate and mature size
A shrub that grows 3-5 feet per year sounds incredible, but that number only matters if you know where it stops. Check the expected mature height and width, then space your plants so they grow into each other without crowding. Plant too close and you fight the shrubs for years; too far apart and you stare at gaps.
Maintenance and toughness
Some of these shrubs are nearly zero-work once established, while others need regular watering and an annual prune to stay tidy. If you do not want to babysit your hedge, look for drought tolerance and deer resistance in the specs. These two traits save you the most effort over a hedge’s lifetime.
Quick Comparison
| Model | Best For | Growth Rate | Mature Height | Quantity | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant (5-Pack)★ Best Overall | Classic tall evergreen screens | 3-5 ft/year | up to 60 feet | 5 plants | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green ArborvitaeCompact Pick | Compact columnar hedging | Fast | 14 feet | 1 plant | Amazon |
| 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow CuttingsFastest Fill | Budget mass planting | Fast | 10 feet | 24 cuttings | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Quick screen on a budget | 3 ft/year | 40 feet | 10 plants | Amazon |
| 50 Hybrid Willow Trees | Fastest possible coverage | 10 ft/year | 10 feet | 50 plants | Amazon |
| Winter Honeysuckle (3-Pack) | Fragrant flowering screens | Fast | 10 feet | 3 plants | Amazon |
| Wax Myrtle (20 Plants) | Drought-tolerant native screens | Fast | 10 feet | 20 plants | Amazon |
| Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet (20 Plants) | Sheared formal hedging | Fast | 8-10 feet | 20 plants | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant (Lot of 20, 3″ Pot) | Bulk evergreen planting | 2-3 ft/year | 30-50 feet | 20 plants | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, 1 Gal (5-Pack)
Our pick — over 4★ from 300+ verified ratings; the strongest balance of quality and price.
This evergreen gives you a tall privacy wall fast, adding 3-5 feet of new height each year — so you get a screen in a season or two, not a decade.
Its dense, dark green foliage and rapid growth make it the archetypal fast privacy screen. The Thuja Green Giant pushes 3-5 feet of growth each year and tops out at up to 60 feet tall, which is why it carries the “premier fast growing privacy tree” reputation across much of the US. Its dense, dark green foliage even gives off a Christmas-tree scent when you break a leaf, a small pleasure that makes hedge maintenance feel less like a chore.
The wide pyramidal shape spreads to about 20 feet at full maturity, but you can prune it to any size you want. This flexibility lets you shape it from a towering statement to a neighbor-friendly clipped hedge. It thrives in zones 5-9, so nearly the entire continental US can grow it, and once established it needs little to no maintenance. Buyers report arriving plants about 16-18 inches tall and in great condition, with many noting the fast growth and good value, including one who found they grow well in clay soil.
What wins people over is the health of the plants on arrival — that is the most-discussed point across buyer feedback, followed closely by overall quality. Roots may occasionally fill only two-thirds of the pot rather than being root-bound, which is actually fine for young planting. There is some risk if you have deer, so factor that into your choice before committing a whole property line.
What owners love
- Fast 3-5 feet per year growth builds a screen quickly
- Dense evergreen foliage smells like Christmas trees
- Prune to any height from small hedge to 60 feet
- Little to no maintenance once established
What to watch
- Deer may browse young plants
- Needs full sun for best density
- Wide mature spread needs spacing forethought
Grab this for: anyone who wants the fastest, most reliable tall evergreen screen and is willing to give it room to reach its full height.
Think twice if: your yard is small or your area has heavy deer pressure — consider a compact variety instead.
2. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae, 1 Gal. Grower’s Pot
A narrow, columnar evergreen that gives you a formal hedge without swallowing the whole yard.
If the Green Giant feels like too much tree, the Emerald Green is its tidy cousin. It matures to about 14 feet tall and just 4 feet wide, so the columnar form slips into foundation plantings and narrow side yards where a 20-foot spread would never fit. This is one of the premier fast growing privacy trees for much of the US, but with a much smaller footprint.
The cold hardiness here is the standout — it thrives in zones 2-7, staying pristine green through both winter and summer. That makes it one of the few options on this list for gardeners in the far north. It is also deer resistant and drought tolerant once established, which removes two of the biggest headaches in hedge care. Owners mention trees arriving healthy, well-packaged, and bright green, with one noting their plant came in taller than expected at over 2 feet versus the promised 1.5 feet.
Expect high growth with little upkeep once the roots settle in. The recurring praise centers on how fresh and ready the plants look on arrival, even after time in a shipping box. This is a handsome, manageable privacy hedge for someone who wants the classic arborvitae look in a tighter space.
Why it fits a small yard: a 14-foot height with only a 4-foot width gives real screening power in a sliver of space.
Winter bonus: zone 2-7 hardiness means it shrugs off cold that would kill many other evergreens.
Best matched to: northern gardeners and anyone planting a narrow hedge line where a giant would crowd the lot.
Not your pick if: you want a towering screen above 15 feet — this one stops at 14 feet.
3. 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings
Twenty-four thick willow sticks that root in days and race toward a 10-foot privacy screen.
These thick cuttings root quickly and offer the cheapest way to cover a long boundary. Each cutting measures roughly 10 inches tall with a 5/8 to 1+ inch thick base, which gives young willows a strong head start. The whole point is maximizing year-one growth, and these deliver — customers note one plant reaching 10 feet tall in two years, and cuttings that root successfully within 5 days.
Compared to the 24 cuttings here, the Thuja Green Giant 5-pack above gives you just 5 plants; this pack is a 24.0x gap in sheer numbers, making it the far cheaper way to cover a long property line. The willows are also dual-purpose: they block wind and noise, control erosion, and mark property lines all at once. They want moderate water and full sun, and they are easy enough for a first-time gardener to handle.
Buyers talk most about how fast it grows, then about rooting (how quickly cuttings take hold in soil). One owner reports a planting “blooms within 1 week, even without leaving them in water.” But cutting survival is mixed — some buyers get great results, others lose many cuttings — so expect some losses. The repeated advice: water them regularly for the first year.
The payoff
- Thick 5/8 to 1+ inch root stock for strong starts
- 24 cuttings cover a long line for very little money
- Roots in as little as 5 days
- Also blocks wind, noise, and erosion
The honest catch
- Not every cutting survives — results vary
- Deciduous, so it drops leaves in winter
- Needs consistent water in year one
Reach for this if: you need to cover a long boundary fast on a tight budget and can handle some losses.
Look elsewhere if: you demand every single plant survive or want evergreen year-round coverage.
4. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, 7-10 Inches Tall
A ten-pack of the same fast evergreen at the lowest per-tree cost for a serious screen.
You are getting the same Thuja Green Giant DNA here — the tree that grows a fast 3 feet per year and is hardy in zones 5-9 — but in a ten-pack of small plants. The mature size is huge at 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide, so space them 6-7 feet apart for a quick, solid screen. This is the value play: ten young plants for the price others charge for five.
The health of these little trees is the thing everyone raves about, measured by the most buyer feedback in the whole list on that point. Roots arrive well-developed, and buyers describe them as “very nice looking little trees” that arrive in excellent condition. Growth results back up the promise — one buyer’s ten saplings planted in full sun went from 8 inches to 3.5 feet in 16 months.
Size feedback runs mixed, with some finding the saplings larger than promised and others much smaller, which is the nature of ordering young whips. The results hinge on care: regular watering and feeding make the difference, as one buyer in north Missouri learned when their trees survived a hard winter and doubled in size within a year. These ship as potted plants in soil, ready to go straight into the ground.
The value read: ten plants for the cost of five gives you double the hedge for the same money.
The commitment: young saplings need water and patience, but the payoff is a 40-foot screen.
Best for: patient gardeners who want maximum trees per dollar and will tend young plants for a season.
skip it if: you need instant height — these start small and grow on your schedule.
5. 50 Hybrid Willow Trees — Austree
Fifty cuttings marketed as some of the fastest-growing trees on the planet, with a 10-feet-per-year claim.
If speed is the only thing that matters, this is the extreme option. The Austree hybrid willow is billed as growing 10 feet per year — that is a full story of new height annually, which no evergreen on this list can touch. You get 50 live cuttings to establish a screen, windbreak, or erosion barrier across a serious stretch of land. They are also seedless and cotton-free, so there is no seasonal mess.
These willows are tough customers: deer resistant, good for wildlife, and helpful for drying out boggy ground while filtering the air. Buyers with experience report roots sprouting vigorously in soil or water, with some noting success even in dry, high-altitude, alkali soil. The included instructions and YouTube links are a genuine help for first-timers.
The honest truth is that germination rates run mixed. Some reviewers point out only 5 failures across 120+ cuttings, while others lost their whole batch despite careful watering. The phrase “grow very fast” shows up repeatedly, but so do complaints about thin twigs and inconsistent sizing. There is a real success story here for experienced growers, and a real gamble for everyone else.
The speed case: a 10-feet-per-year claim no other plant here matches.
The risk: results vary wildly between buyers, so treat survival rates as uncertain.
Pick this if: you want the absolute fastest possible cover and know how to root cuttings.
Avoid if: you want predictable results — the mixed outcomes make this a gamble.
6. Winter Honeysuckle + Lonicera Fragrantissima, 3x 3.5″ Pots
A fast-growing shrub that fills your yard with creamy white flowers and winter fragrance while screening neighbors.
Its winter blooms and fragrance set it apart from other fast privacy screens. The Winter Honeysuckle blooms from late winter to early spring, producing creamy white flowers with a clean, delightful fragrance that carries across the yard. As summer arrives, those blooms turn into bright red berries that attract birds, so you get privacy plus a wildlife garden in one planting. It matures to 6-10 feet tall, which is plenty for most two-story privacy needs.
The hardiness range is exceptional at zones 3-9, and it is marked as fast growing, deer resistant, and non-invasive. All three shrubs in this pack come from a family-owned Florida nursery with a 14-day guarantee, so there is real backing behind the purchase. The plants ship either bare-root with hydrating gel or potted and sleeved in craft paper, depending on the season.
Buyers consistently describe the shrubs as healthy, beautiful, and well-packed, with good value for the money. The main disagreement is size — some arrive pint-sized but double in size within a week of repotting in full sun, while others find them too small on arrival. The occasional plant fails to make it, but the seller’s guarantee covers genuine issues within the first two weeks.
The sensory win: winter flowers and fragrance no other hedge on this list offers.
The size reality: expect young plants that grow quickly once planted in the right spot.
Choose this for: gardeners who want a scented, wildlife-friendly screen that flowers when everything else is bare.
Not for: anyone needing evergreen coverage — it is deciduous and drops leaves in winter.
7. Wax Myrtle — Myrica Cerifera, 20 Live Plants
A tough native evergreen that thrives in poor soil and coastal winds while building a fast privacy screen.
It thrives in poor soil and coastal winds with minimal care. Its aromatic evergreen foliage provides year-round privacy, and it thrives in diverse soil conditions, so it performs well in coastal and inland environments alike. This is a native plant that asks for very little — drought tolerant and low maintenance — making it ideal for novice and experienced gardeners who want easy beauty.
You get 20 plants to establish a natural screen or windbreak, and the fast-growing habit reaches impressive heights for solid coverage. Shoppers say plants arriving healthy and thriving, with some noting they doubled in size within three months after repotting. One owner found it good value for filling a 7-foot fence line, planting 5 feet from the fence for a dense green wall.
The recurring gripe is plant size — buyers consistently note the shrubs arrive much smaller than expected. Health is the most-discussed positive, but size feedback runs negative, so order knowing you are getting young starters. The packaging can also be aggressive, with one buyer describing a box they had to cut apart with glue and staples, though the plants inside stayed moist and alive.
The resilience: handles poor soil, coastal salt, and drought once settled in.
The patience test: young plants need a season or two before they fill out.
Best for: coastal gardeners and anyone who wants a native, drought-proof screen with zero fuss.
Not your pick if: you want instant height — these start small and take time to establish.
8. Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet, 20 Live Plants
A fast-growing evergreen that shapes into a crisp formal hedge with glossy foliage and white blooms.
Its glossy foliage shears into crisp formal shapes better than any other pick here. Its compact habit and glossy leaves respond beautifully to pruning into topiary, small standards, or a tight formal hedge. It reaches 8-10 feet high, and the dense, bushy nature makes it ideal for a privacy screen, windbreak, or even a patio tree in a container.
This fast grower wants a regular water schedule until the root system matures, then watering is only needed occasionally outside of droughts. It is evergreen, so the screen holds year-round, and it displays a profusion of white blooms that add color to the garden. Plant it as a hedge, foundation plant, or shrub border, and shear 2-3 times yearly for your exact shape.
Buyers describe the plants as healthy and thriving, often bigger than expected, with well-formed root systems. The strongest praise covers the health of the plants on arrival and how well they are packaged — one buyer’s box survived a drop on concrete with all plants intact and vibrant. A minority find them incredibly small, and some question the value, so sizes vary between shipments. Root quality and value-for-money both earn mixed feedback, making this a solid but not universally adored pick.
The pruning advantage: shears into clean formal shapes most other fast shrubs cannot achieve.
The upkeep note: regular watering early and shearing 2-3 times a year keeps it looking sharp.
Grab this for: gardeners who want a crisp, manicured privacy hedge rather than a wild screen.
Think twice if: you want a no-prune, natural screen — this one rewards regular maintenance.
9. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae, Lot of 20, 3 Inch Pot
Twenty Green Giants in 3-inch pots, the biggest bulk order for a towering evergreen screen.
This is the bulk option for the classic Green Giant, shipping 20 plants in 3-inch pots with soil. Each one grows 2-3 feet per year once well established, reaching a privacy screen height of 30-50 feet with a 12-16 foot spread. Space them every 5 feet for a solid screen, or 4-8 feet apart depending on how tight you want the wall.
Hardy in zones 5-8, this pyramidal evergreen handles full sun to partial shade and tolerates drought once established. It prefers deep, well-drained soil but adapts to a wide range of conditions, and pruning is optional — trim in the fall if you want a specific height, or let it grow naturally. Note it does not ship to Arizona.
Buyers are impressed with the health of these trees, with strong feedback on quality and thriving growth after planting. One noted the Green Giants were bigger than expected with impressive root balls in the trays, while another found them “10-14″ or so, but very healthy looking” across a 40-plant order. A few required extra care to establish, and one buyer gave a lukewarm “take your chances” review, so survival is not guaranteed for every single sapling. The bulk quantity makes this the most economical way to plant a long evergreen boundary line.
Why it works
- 20 plants cover a long boundary in one order
- 2-3 feet per year growth builds height steadily
- Drought tolerant once well established
- Individually wrapped to retain moisture in shipping
What to expect
- Young 3-inch-pot size means a longer wait for height
- Not shipped to Arizona
- A few plants may need extra care to thrive
Best for: planting a long evergreen boundary at the lowest per-tree cost in bulk.
pass on it if: you cannot wait several seasons for young pot-starters to become a screen.
Understanding the Specs
Hardiness Zone
This is the single most important number on any plant label. It tells you the range of climates a shrub can survive, from the coldest zone to the warmest. Match the zone to your region or the plant will die in its first winter or summer, no matter how fast it grows.
Growth Rate and Mature Height
Growth rate tells you how fast the shrub adds height in a single year, while mature height tells you where it stops. Always check both together — a fast grower that tops out at 10 feet is very different from one that reaches 50 feet. Knowing the final size determines how far apart you plant each shrub for a solid screen.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous
Evergreen shrubs keep their foliage year-round, so your privacy screen holds through winter. Deciduous shrubs drop their leaves in fall, leaving you with bare branches and no screen until spring. The trade-off is that some deciduous options like willows and honeysuckle grow faster and offer flowers or fragrance that evergreens cannot match.
Maintenance Needs
Pay attention to water needs, drought tolerance, and deer resistance before you buy. A drought-tolerant shrub survives on its own once established, while others need regular watering for the root system to mature. Deer resistance matters if your yard sees wildlife, because hungry deer can destroy a young hedge in a single night.
FAQ
What is the fastest growing shrub for privacy?
How far apart should I plant privacy shrubs?
Which privacy shrub stays green all winter?
How long does it take for a privacy hedge to fill in?
What is the difference between Thuja Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitae?
What is the cheapest way to plant a privacy hedge?
Are any of these privacy shrubs deer resistant?
Which privacy shrub tolerates poor or dry soil?
Will these shrubs grow in full shade?
What is the best privacy shrub for a small yard?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most people, the fast growing shrubs for privacy winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 5-Pack because it pairs the fastest reliable evergreen growth with a towering up to 60-foot mature height. If you want a compact formal hedge that survives brutal winters, grab the Emerald Green Arborvitae. And for the absolute fastest coverage on a budget, the 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Cuttings is the one to reach for.
How We Picked
We do not accept paid placement. Every pick is matched to a real buyer and a real use-case; we do not hands-on test units.
Sources & Methodology
Specifications: manufacturer listings and product documentation. Review insights: verified customer reviews, as of August 2026. Pricing: not shown on this page (it changes often); check the current price via the retailer link.
As an Amazon Associate, WellFizz earns from qualifying purchases. This does not affect which products we feature.
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Mo Maruf
I created WellFizz to bridge the gap between vague wellness advice and actionable solutions. My mission is simple: to decode the research and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Beyond the data, I am a passionate traveler. I believe that stepping away from the screen to explore new environments is essential for mental clarity and physical vitality.