14 Fast-Growing Bushes to Deal with Prying Neighbors
If you love your outdoor space but not your neighbor’s curious gaze, fast-growing bushes can give you the privacy you need — without waiting years for results.
These lush, green barriers grow quickly, look beautiful year-round, and can even block noise and dust. Whether you prefer flowering hedges or sleek evergreens, here are 14 fast-growing bushes that will help you reclaim your peace.
1. Leyland Cypress
This is one of the fastest-growing privacy bushes out there, shooting up as much as three feet a year. It forms a dense, rich green wall that’s perfect for large yards or long property lines.
Leyland Cypress thrives in full sun and adapts easily to different soils. It needs occasional trimming to maintain shape but rewards you with a solid, natural fence in no time.
2. Green Giant Arborvitae
A top choice for homeowners who want privacy fast, this evergreen grows about three feet per year and creates a thick, vibrant hedge.
It’s low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and great for creating a clean, formal look. Plant them a few feet apart for a solid wall of greenery that also muffles sound.
3. Bamboo (Clumping Varieties)
For a modern, tropical vibe, bamboo is unbeatable. Clumping types like Bambusa multiplex grow tall but stay contained, forming lush screens quickly.
They’re ideal for patios or small yards where you want instant coverage. Just make sure to choose a non-invasive clumping species to keep it manageable.
4. Privet (Ligustrum)
Private hedges have been used for centuries to define property lines and offer instant privacy. They grow fast, stay dense, and tolerate heavy pruning.
They can be shaped into formal hedges or left natural for a softer look. Bonus: They bloom with small, fragrant white flowers in spring.
5. Viburnum
Viburnum adds both privacy and charm with glossy leaves and seasonal flowers that attract butterflies. It grows quickly, forming a lush hedge that feels elegant and full.
It’s great for mild to warm climates and works beautifully in mixed landscapes with other flowering plants. Regular trimming keeps it thick and tidy.
6. Wax Myrtle
Wax Myrtle is a hardy evergreen that grows fast and gives a light, airy privacy screen. Its small leaves release a pleasant scent when crushed.
Perfect for coastal or humid areas, it handles salty air, wind, and poor soil without fuss — ideal for natural-style gardens or relaxed landscapes.
7. Forsythia
If you want color and privacy, Forsythia delivers both. Its golden-yellow blooms burst to life in spring before transforming into a leafy green screen through summer.
This fast grower loves full sun and rewards you with cheerful seasonal color. Use it as a mixed border plant to brighten your yard while keeping views blocked.
8. Red-Tip Photinia
With its shiny red new leaves that mature to green, Photinia offers both coverage and color. It’s dense, easy to shape, and grows quickly in most climates.
Keep it trimmed a few times a year to encourage new red growth. When maintained, it makes a polished, upscale-looking privacy wall.
9. Holly (Nellie R. Stevens or American Holly)
Holly bushes are dense, glossy, and evergreen — perfect for year-round privacy. Some varieties grow up to two feet per year.
They also add festive charm with red berries in winter. Use them as stand-alone screens or mix with other evergreens for texture.
10. Pittosporum
This fast-growing shrub has a neat, compact look and lovely silvery-green foliage that brightens shady corners.
It’s ideal for mild climates and coastal gardens. The light fragrance from its small spring blooms adds another layer of appeal to this practical privacy plant.
11. Thuja Occidentalis (Emerald Green Arborvitae)
Smaller than the Green Giant but just as dense, the Emerald Green Arborvitae is great for tight spaces or urban gardens.
It stays neat and elegant with minimal trimming, and its slow tapering shape gives your yard a clean, structured backdrop.
12. Oleander
If you live in a warm or coastal area, Oleander is a stunning and fast-growing option. Its thick foliage and bright blooms create a lush, tropical barrier.
It’s drought-tolerant and hardy but should be handled with care — all parts of the plant are toxic, so avoid it if you have pets or small kids.
13. Hydrangea (Panicle or Oakleaf Types)
Hydrangeas bring a softer kind of privacy, with full, fast-growing foliage and large flower clusters that bloom from spring through summer.
They work beautifully near patios or along fences. Choose panicle varieties for sun or oakleaf types for partial shade — both deliver volume and beauty.
14. Elaeagnus (Silverberry)
Elaeagnus is one of the most underrated privacy shrubs. Its silvery-green leaves shimmer in sunlight, and it grows incredibly fast with little care.
It thrives in poor soil and drought, forming a sturdy, wind-resistant hedge that’s great for large, open yards or rural properties.
Why Fast-Growing Bushes Are Worth It
Fast-growing bushes give you privacy without waiting years for trees to mature. They create a sense of calm, reduce street noise, and even help cool your space naturally. Plus, they’re far cheaper and easier to maintain than tall fences. Whether you prefer classic evergreens or flowering screens, planting a few of these fast growers means one thing — more peace, less peeking.
