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Waiting years for a privacy screen or a landscape anchor tests the patience of any gardener. The right varieties, however, can add three to five feet of dense growth in their first season, transforming a bare property line into a living wall before the second summer arrives. The difference between a slow starter and a rocket comes down to three variables: the plant’s genetic growth rate, your soil preparation, and consistent moisture during establishment.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I analyse nursery data, study growth habit specifications, and cross-reference thousands of verified owner reports to separate shrubs that actually deliver fast vertical gain from those that get marketed as speedy but stall out after year one.
This guide ranks five proven selections for landscapes across zones five through nine. If you need a hedge, a windbreak, or a focal point that fills in fast, the fast growing shrubs reviewed here offer verified performance with specific growth rates, mature dimensions, and real buyer feedback.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Shrubs
Not every shrub sold as “fast growing” delivers three feet of new wood per season. Many nurseries label any plant that adds one foot annually as speedy. The key is matching the variety’s natural growth rate to your specific goal — privacy screen, windbreak, ornamental specimen, or erosion control — while confirming the USDA zone matches your local climate.
Annual Growth Rate vs. Mature Height
A shrub that grows three feet per year but tops out at eight feet is ideal for a low hedge. A variety that adds three feet annually and reaches forty feet suits property-line privacy but requires serious spacing. Always check the stated growth rate in feet per year — not the mature height. A 40-foot shrub that grows slowly defeats the purpose of a fast screen.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous Foliage
Evergreen fast growers like Thuja Green Giant hold leaves year-round, making them the top choice for continuous privacy and noise reduction. Deciduous options like Rose of Sharon or Butterfly Bush drop leaves in winter, opening gaps in the screen during colder months. Select based on whether you need coverage in January or only during the growing season.
Soil Type and Sunlight Requirements
Most fast-growing shrubs demand full sun — six or more hours of direct light daily. Sandy, well-draining soil suits willow hybrids and arborvitae, while butterfly bush tolerates drought once established. Clay soils slow root development; amending with compost before planting accelerates establishment and annual growth.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Premium | Year‑round privacy screen | 3 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon | Premium | Summer ornamental hedge | 96–144 in mature height | Amazon |
| Nanho Butterfly Shrub | Mid-Range | Pollinator garden focal point | 5–9 zone hardiness | Amazon |
| 18 Hybrid Willow Trees | Budget-Friendly | Erosion control and quick screen | 18 bare-root cuttings | Amazon |
| Chinese Blue Weeping Wisteria | Budget-Friendly | Vertical accent with blooms | 10 ft mature height | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 Inches Tall Trees
The Thuja Green Giant is the benchmark for fast, dense, year-round privacy. These potted starts arrive at 7-10 inches tall and can add three feet of new growth annually once established, reaching a mature height of 40 feet with a 15-foot spread. Hardy in zones five through nine, this evergreen keeps its color through winter, making it the most reliable choice for a permanent visual and sound barrier.
Spacing six to seven feet apart creates a full screen within three to four growing seasons, and the root system is adaptable to partial shade as well as full sun. Verified buyers report surviving north Missouri winters with consistent watering and doubling in size within the first year. The five-day guarantee requires confirming your zone is appropriate, but owners in zones five through nine report high survival rates.
The primary trade-off is space — this is not a shrub for small suburban lots unless you commit to regular pruning to control width. The container shipping keeps transplant shock low, but the young starts need protection from browsing deer and consistent moisture through the first summer for best establishment.
What works
- 3 ft annual growth delivered year after year in proper zones
- Dense evergreen foliage blocks view and noise in all four seasons
- Ten-count pack allows planting a full privacy line in one order
What doesn’t
- 40 ft mature height requires 15 ft spacing and significant room
- Young starts need careful watering and protection until established
2. Proven Winners 2 Gal. Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus) Shrub
Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon brings fast vertical growth with ornamental value that few privacy shrubs match. This deciduous hibiscus reaches 8 to 12 feet tall with a 4 to 6 foot spread, producing delicate blue blooms from spring through fall. As a Proven Winners selection, the plant ships in a 2-gallon container with established root mass and buds already forming, giving it a head start over bare-root competitors.
Buyers consistently report blooms within two weeks of arrival, with multiple flowers opening from healthy packaging that keeps soil intact. The shrub thrives in zones five through nine and tolerates full sun to partial shade, making it flexible for various landscape positions. The deciduous nature means winter leaf drop, but the branching structure offers visual interest even when bare.
One important caveat: the mature spread of 6 feet means this is not a dense privacy screen like an arborvitae. It works best as a tall accent or an airy hedge where flowers are the priority. The soil in the shipping pot can be loose, and some buyers felt the plant size was small for a 2-gallon container, though long-term growth feedback is strongly positive.
What works
- Blooms from spring through fall with consistent flower production
- Strong container stock often arrives with buds already forming
- Adaptable to full sun or partial shade across a wide hardiness range
What doesn’t
- Deciduous habit means no winter leaf cover for privacy
- Container soil can be loose during shipment, risking root disturbance
3. Perfect Plants Nanho Butterfly Shrub 1 Gallon
The Nanho Butterfly Shrub delivers fast growth with a fragrance and pollinator draw that transforms a garden corner into a hummingbird and bee hub. This 1-gallon container-grown bush ships with established roots and often arrives blooming, handling the transition to garden soil with minimal shock. Hardy in zones five through nine, it thrives in full sun and becomes drought-tolerant once established, making it one of the lower-maintenance fast growers in this class.
At roughly 4 to 5 feet tall at maturity, the Nanho stays compact enough for suburban landscapes while still providing visual impact through its purple flower spikes. Florida-grown and shipped nationwide, the shrub benefits from warm-region nursery stock that transitions well into most climates. Verified feedback consistently praises the packaging quality and the healthy, blooming condition on arrival.
The main limitation is regional shipping restrictions — this plant cannot ship to Washington, California, or Arizona due to state agricultural laws. Buyers in those states will need to source locally. Some owners report that the plant arrives wilted or fails to recover if exposed to extreme temperatures during transit, so ordering during mild weather increases survival odds.
What works
- Attracts butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds with fragrant purple blooms
- Drought-tolerant after first season, reducing long-term watering needs
- Container stock arrives blooming and transitions to garden with ease
What doesn’t
- Cannot ship to WA, CA, or AZ due to state regulations
- Heat stress during transit can cause wilting before planting
4. 18 Hybrid Willow Trees – Privacy Trees Fast Growing
Hybrid Willows offer the fastest growth rate in this list, with the ability to add 10 to 15 feet in a single season under optimal conditions. This 18-cutting bundle ships as bare-root starts with detailed instructions and a video link, making it the most cost-effective option for filling a long property line or stabilizing erosion-prone soil. The trees produce no seeds or cotton, remain deer resistant, and tolerate sandy soil and full sun.
Owners report visible root and foliage development in under a week, with established screens reaching 20 feet within two years. The willows are also effective at absorbing excess moisture, making them a natural solution for boggy areas where other shrubs fail. The CZ Grain guarantee backs the product, and buyer feedback shows a strong majority achieving dense, road-noise-reducing growth by year three.
The downside is inconsistency in the cuttings. A minority of buyers report 40 to 50 percent failure rates despite following instructions, with small or dead starts that never develop. Bare-root stock is more vulnerable to shipping delays and improper storage than potted plants, so planting immediately upon arrival is critical for survival.
What works
- Extremely fast growth — established trees can add 10+ ft in one season
- Deer resistant and seedless, reducing maintenance issues
- Excellent for erosion control and drying out wet soil areas
What doesn’t
- Some cuttings fail to root or die before establishing
- Bare-root stock requires immediate planting and careful moisture management
5. Stunning Live 1 Potted Chinese Blue Weeping Wisteria Tree
Chinese Blue Weeping Wisteria combines fast growth with striking ornamental value, producing cascading blue blooms from spring through autumn on a weeping form. This potted start arrives in a quart nursery pot at 12 inches or taller, with the potential to reach 10 feet tall and 7 feet wide with minimal care. Hardy in zones five through nine, the wisteria adapts to full sun and moderate watering, and pruning keeps the shape under control if desired.
Buyers report rapid leaf emergence within two weeks of arrival, with weeping branches forming by week four. One owner noted the plant survived being relocated twice in its first season and still grew past the support stake. The decorative weeping habit makes it suitable for trellises, arbors, or trained as a standalone specimen, adding vertical interest that typical shrubs don’t offer.
The main risk is small, frail stock on arrival. Some buyers report receiving a very tiny plant that died within four weeks, and the bare-root ends can be fragile if handled roughly during unpacking. The wisteria is deciduous, so seasonal leaf drop exposes the structure in winter, and the weeping form requires staking or a support to achieve the desired shape.
What works
- Unique weeping blue blooms from spring through autumn on a fast-growing frame
- Compact 10 ft height and 7 ft spread fits smaller garden spaces
- Responds well to staking and pruning for directed growth
What doesn’t
- Arriving stock can be very small and frail, with some failing to survive
- Deciduous habit leaves bare branches in winter, reducing seasonal interest
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate
The most critical spec for a fast-growing shrub is the stated annual height increase in feet per year. Hybrid willows can add 10+ feet in a single season, while Thuja Green Giant reliably contributes 3 feet annually. Verified customer reports should be cross-referenced with the stated rate, as site conditions — soil quality, sunlight hours, and water availability — affect actual performance. A shrub that adds 2 feet in poor soil may add 4 feet in ideal conditions.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Every shrub in this guide lists a zone range, typically zones five through nine. The zone determines whether the plant survives winter lows and summer heat in your location. Ordering a plant rated for zone eight for a zone four garden guarantees failure. Check your local agricultural extension office zone map before purchasing, and note that some sellers void guarantees if the plant is shipped outside its recommended zone.
Mature Dimensions
Height at maturity and width both matter for spacing. A 40-foot arborvitae planted 3 feet apart will crowd itself, reducing airflow and increasing disease pressure. A 10-foot wisteria trained on a trellis needs less ground footprint but requires vertical support. Measure your planting area’s final desired coverage and match it to the mature dimensions, not the size of the shipped plant.
Sunlight and Moisture Needs
Fast growth requires energy, and energy comes from sunlight. Most fast-growing shrubs need full sun (6+ hours daily) for peak annual gain. Partial shade reduces growth rate by 30-50 percent. Moisture needs vary: willows thrive in wet soil, while butterfly bush becomes drought-tolerant after establishment. Match the plant’s natural moisture preference to your site’s drainage to avoid root rot or water stress.
FAQ
How many feet per year do fast growing shrubs actually add?
Can I plant fast growing shrubs in partial shade?
What is the best fast growing shrub for year round privacy?
How far apart should I space fast growing shrubs for a hedge?
Do fast growing shrubs need special soil preparation?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the fast growing shrubs winner is the Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae because it combines a reliable 3-foot annual growth rate with evergreen coverage that protects privacy in all seasons. If you want ornamental flowers with fast vertical gain, grab the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon. And for budget-conscious erosion control or filling a long property line quickly, nothing beats the Hybrid Willow 18-pack for sheer speed and value.