The answer to what is the fastest growing privacy shrub usually comes down to Leyland cypress and Thuja Green Giant. The better question is which fast shrub fits your yard without taking over your property line. “Fastest” shifts by ranking and region; a shrub that flies in Georgia might stall in Minnesota. Match the plant to your zone, sunlight, and space before buying.
The Two Contenders For Fastest Privacy Shrub
Leyland cypress earns the top spot in most roundups, including The Spruce’s, adding 3 to 5 feet per year in sunny sites and forming a dense, tall screen quickly. The catch is size: it can mature far larger than expected, so planting near a fence or foundation creates years of heavy pruning. Thuja Green Giant (green giant arborvitae) is the close second and often the smarter pick. It grows 3 to 5 feet per year once established, reaches 40 to 60 feet tall with a 12 to 20 foot spread, and is widely described as deer-resistant and low-maintenance. Real Homes calls it the best overall privacy screen.
What Else Grows Fast Enough To Matter?
- North privet: about 3 feet per year; Davey Blog ranks it the fastest privacy shrub outright. Grows in Zones 4–8 but is deciduous, dropping leaves in winter.
- Wax myrtle: 3 to 5 feet per year in warm zones (7–11), an evergreen for southern gardens.
- Emerald Green Arborvitae: slower 1 to 2 feet per year, but stays narrow for small yards in cold Zones 2–7.
- Skip laurel: about 2 feet per year, a good hedge for partial shade.
Hybrid poplar grows faster but is a tree, not a shrub, topping out far too large for most screens.
Why “Fastest” Depends On Where You Plant
Growth rate means nothing if the plant dies in your soil or outgrows its spot. USDA zone is the first filter: Leyland cypress suits Zones 6–10; Thuja Green Giant handles Zones 5–8; wax myrtle needs Zones 7–11. Then consider sun exposure and mature size, not just year-one growth—a 50-foot Green Giant is a poor fit for a narrow side yard. Also, don’t assume every privacy shrub is evergreen: privet and forsythia go bare in winter, so choose Leyland or Green Giant if year-round coverage matters.
Fastest Privacy Shrubs At A Glance
| Shrub | Growth Per Year | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Leyland cypress | 3–5 feet | Fast screens in warm zones |
| Thuja Green Giant | 3–5 feet | Dense, deer-resistant hedges |
| North privet | ~3 feet | Fast hedges, cooler zones |
| Wax myrtle | 3–5 feet | Warm-climate screens |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 1–2 feet | Small spaces, cold zones |
Compare top performers side by side in our roundup of the best fast-growing shrubs for privacy, breaking down mature sizes, zone fit, and growth claims.
Pick The Shrub That Matches Your Yard, Not Just The Record
If you have room for a tall evergreen in a warm zone, Leyland cypress delivers. For the same speed with better deer resistance and easy care, Thuja Green Giant is safer. In colder zones or tight spaces, Emerald Green Arborvitae or privet make more sense. Whatever you choose, measure your planting area first: give mature width room to breathe, keep tall growers away from structures and utility lines, and confirm the shrub stays evergreen for winter privacy. Speed blocks the view this year; the right size keeps your yard manageable for decades.
FAQs
Does Leyland cypress stay green all year?
It drops older inner needles as it grows, which is normal.
How tall do fast privacy shrubs get?
It varies widely. Emerald Green Arborvitae stays around 10 to 15 feet, better if you want privacy without a towering plant.
Can I plant fast growers close to my fence?
You can, but you probably shouldn’t. Leyland cypress and Green Giant mature very large, and planting within a few feet of a fence leads to constant pruning and neighbor disputes. Check mature width and give each shrub enough clearance so it never crowds the boundary.
References & Sources
- The Spruce. “Fast-Growing Shrubs for Privacy Hedges and Specimens.” Names Leyland cypress as the fastest-growing privacy shrub at 3–5 feet per year.
- Real Homes. “Best Fast-Growing Privacy Plants.” Details Green Giant’s 3–5 foot annual growth and 50–60 foot mature height.
- Garden Design. “Fast-Growing Shrubs.” Supplies zone ranges and growth rates for multiple privacy shrubs.
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.