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Waiting three to five years for a privacy screen to fill in is the single biggest frustration when establishing a property line border. The gap between planting and achieving visual seclusion tests the patience of any homeowner. Shrubs that push new growth at a measurable annual rate are the only reliable solution for closing that sightline gap within a single growing season.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I compare root stock caliper, reported annual vertical growth rates, and zone compatibility across hundreds of plant listings to help buyers predict real-world screening performance before they dig a single hole.
This guide breaks down seven proven varieties that deliver reliable annual height gains. Each selection on this best fast growing privacy shrubs list was chosen for its documented growth habit, hardiness range, and mature density so you can build a living fence that earns its keep.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Privacy Shrubs
Selecting the right shrub for privacy starts with understanding your local climate, the available planting space, and your patience for annual growth. Screening plants are a long-term investment in your property’s seclusion, so matching the species to your specific conditions is critical.
Growth Rate and Mature Size
A shrub advertised as fast growing typically adds two to three feet of height per year under ideal conditions. Mature height determines how tall your screen will be, but mature width dictates how many plants you need to buy. A narrow columnar juniper, for instance, can be spaced four feet apart, while a wide-spreading arborvitae needs six to seven feet between trunks. Calculate your linear feet of fence line and divide by the recommended spacing before ordering.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous Foliage
Evergreen shrubs like Thuja Green Giant or Blue Arrow Juniper hold their foliage year-round, providing privacy in every season. Deciduous options like Rose of Sharon or Spirea lose leaves in winter, which opens sightlines during the dormant months. If you need barrier screening for a pool or patio used year-round, evergreen species are the only logical choice. Deciduous plants work well for summer-centric spaces where winter views are welcome.
Hardiness Zone and Site Conditions
USDA hardiness zones define the temperature range a shrub can survive. A plant rated for zones 5 through 9 will die back if planted in a zone 3 winter or bake in a zone 10 summer. Full sun exposure (six or more direct hours per day) drives faster growth in nearly every privacy shrub. Soil drainage matters equally — standing water around roots stunts growth and invites root rot in species like privet and arborvitae.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack | Evergreen | Tallest year‑round screen | 3 ft/year vertical growth | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (10 Pack) | Evergreen | Budget start for tall hedges | 3 ft/year vertical growth | Amazon |
| Blue Arrow Juniper (3 Pack) | Evergreen | Narrow spaces & tight rows | 12–18 in/year, 2 ft wide | Amazon |
| Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet (10 Pack) | Semi‑Evergreen | Fast dense hedge on a budget | 8–10 ft mature height | Amazon |
| Proven Winners Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon | Deciduous | Summer‑long flowering screen | 96–144 in mature height | Amazon |
| Hybrid Willow Cuttings (24 Pack) | Deciduous | Instant privacy from cuttings | 10 in tall root stock | Amazon |
| Proven Winners Double Play Doozie Spirea | Deciduous | Compact color in borders | 2–3 ft compact habit | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack
This eight-pack of Thuja Green Giants arrives at a two-foot starting height, giving you a head start over smaller plugs. The species is widely considered the premier fast-growing privacy conifer for the continental United States, pushing up to three feet of new growth each year once established. The dense, dark green foliage releases a classic Christmas-tree scent when crushed, adding a sensory layer to your property line.
The pyramidal shape reaches sixty feet tall and twenty feet wide at full maturity, though regular pruning keeps it at any desired height. Hardy in zones 5 through 9, these trees thrive with minimal maintenance once their root systems are established. The wide base fill-in means you can space them six to seven feet apart and still get a solid screen within three years.
Each plant ships with consistent soil moisture care instructions. Water regularly during the first growing season to encourage deep root penetration. The eight-pack quantity is ideal for covering roughly forty to fifty linear feet of fence line at recommended spacing intervals.
What works
- Reliable three-foot annual height gain after establishment
- Dense pyramidal shape fills in without gaps
- Low maintenance once rooted
What doesn’t
- Initial watering consistency is critical for young plants
- Premium price per plant compared to bare-root options
2. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 inches Tall
These seven-to-ten-inch potted Thuja Green Giants offer the same three-foot-per-year growth rate as larger nursery stock but at a lower per-plant cost. The ten-pack quantity lets you cover a longer fence line on a tighter budget without sacrificing the species’ famous vertical acceleration. They ship in soil inside their containers, reducing transplant shock compared to bare-root alternatives.
The listed mature height reaches forty feet with a fifteen-foot spread, so planning for a six-to-seven-foot spacing is essential to avoid overcrowding in later years. The hardy range spans zones 5 through 9, making these arborvitae suitable for the majority of the mainland United States. Partial shade is tolerated, but full sun will maximize the annual growth increment.
Moisture needs are moderate, and new plants should be watered consistently during the first season. The five-day guarantee from the nursery covers viability upon arrival, though shipping during extreme temperatures carries some risk. The smaller starter size means you will wait one extra year for the height that a two-foot plant would deliver immediately.
What works
- Low per-plant cost for a fast-growing evergreen
- Potted in soil for reduced transplant shock
- Proven 3 ft/year growth genetics
What doesn’t
- Smaller starting height delays the first year of screening
- Warranty coverage is limited to five days
3. Blue Arrow Juniper | 3 Live Plants
The Blue Arrow Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) is the narrowest evergreen in this lineup, with a mature width of just two feet. This columnar profile allows planting as close as two to three feet apart, making it the top pick for tight side yards or along driveways where lateral space is scarce. The blue-green foliage maintains its color year-round without browning in winter.
Annual vertical growth is slower than Thuja at roughly twelve to eighteen inches per year, but the narrow footprint means you can stagger a double row to build density faster. This juniper is drought tolerant once established, lowering the watering burden during dry summer months. Full sun exposure is required for optimal growth — partial shade will noticeably slow the already moderate annual rate.
This three-pack covers roughly six to nine linear feet of fence line. For longer runs, order multiple packs and plant in a straight row for a crisp, formal screen. The species is low maintenance and resists deer browsing better than arborvitae, which is a practical advantage in rural or suburban edges.
What works
- Ultra-narrow 2 ft width fits tight spaces
- Drought tolerant once established
- Deer resistant foliage
What doesn’t
- Slower annual growth than arborvitae
- Requires full sun to avoid thinning
4. Ligustrum Waxleaf Privet 10 Live Plants
Waxleaf Privet is a classic hedge shrub that reaches eight to ten feet at maturity, with a dense branching structure that fills in quickly when sheared. The glossy dark green leaves are larger than common privet varieties, giving the hedge a lush, full appearance. Creamy white fragrant flowers appear in summer, followed by blue-black berries that attract birds.
This privet is semi-evergreen in warmer zones, meaning it may hold some leaves through mild winters, but will drop foliage in colder regions. The ten-pack is a generous quantity for establishing a long hedge row. It thrives in full sun to partial shade, making it adaptable to fence lines that receive uneven light across the day.
Growth rate is fast — expect two to three feet per year once established. Regular pruning encourages lateral branching that thickens the screen from the base up. Sandy soil is preferred, but the plant tolerates a wide range of soil types as long as drainage is adequate.
What works
- Fast vertical and lateral growth for dense hedging
- Adaptable to sun or partial shade
- Large quantity pack for long fence lines
What doesn’t
- Semi-evergreen — can go bare in cold winters
- Requires annual pruning to maintain shape
5. Proven Winners 2 Gal. Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon
Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) offers a tall deciduous screen with the bonus of summer-through-fall blooms. The double blue flowers with lacy centers appear from late spring until frost, turning a privacy hedge into a floral feature. Mature height ranges from eight to twelve feet with a four-to-six-foot spread, making it a substantial border plant.
This shrub is hardy in zones 5 through 9 and thrives in full sun to partial shade. The deciduous nature means foliage drops in winter, opening sightlines during the dormant season. It ships dormant in late winter through early spring, and plants are trimmed at shipping to promote healthy regrowth once installed.
The two-gallon container size gives you a sturdy root ball and a strong start. Recommended spacing is eight to twelve feet apart, which is wider than evergreen options, so fewer plants are needed per linear foot. It works well as a standalone accent or mixed into a layered border with evergreen background plants.
What works
- Continuous blooms from spring to frost
- Tall mature height for a solid summer screen
- Wide spacing reduces number of plants needed
What doesn’t
- Deciduous — leaves drop in winter
- Requires pruning for a tidy hedge form
6. 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings
Hybrid willows are among the fastest-growing woody plants available, with annual height gains that can exceed four feet under ideal conditions. This 24-pack of jumbo cuttings measures approximately ten inches long with root stock thickness between five-eighths and one inch. The large caliper gives the cuttings a strong carbohydrate reserve for rapid root and shoot development.
Willows thrive in moist soil and are excellent for wet areas where other shrubs struggle. The deciduous nature means leaves drop in autumn, but the dense summer canopy provides effective privacy during the growing season. These are shade trees by habit, so expect a more open structure than a sheared hedge; multiple rows or closer spacing will increase density.
Plant the cuttings directly into moist ground with the top bud above soil level. They root quickly and will reach several feet in the first growing season. The 24-pack provides enough material for substantial coverage, but these trees are not suitable for small gardens due to their aggressive root systems and eventual large size.
What works
- Extremely fast vertical growth rate
- Thick root stock boosts early establishment
- Performs well in moist or wet soils
What doesn’t
- Deciduous — winter sightlines are open
- Aggressive roots not suited near foundations or drains
7. Proven Winners 2 Gal. Double Play Doozie Spirea
Double Play Doozie Spirea is the smallest shrub on this list, maturing at just two to three feet tall and wide. It does not provide a tall privacy screen on its own, but it fills a specific role as a low border or understory plant beneath taller evergreens. The red new growth fades to deep green, and pink flowers appear in late spring, reblooming through the season.
This deciduous shrub is ideal for the front layer of a mixed privacy border, hiding the bare lower stems of arborvitae or junipers. It thrives in full sun with moderate water and grows quickly for its size, reaching full dimensions in two to three seasons. The compact habit requires almost no pruning to maintain its mound shape.
Hardy in zones 4 through 9, this Spirea is one of the most adaptable plants in this comparison. Use it to create a continuous visual barrier at ground level while taller evergreens build height behind it. The reblooming flowers add color that standard privacy shrubs cannot match.
What works
- Excellent as a low border filler under taller shrubs
- Reblooming pink flowers through the season
- Compact habit needs minimal pruning
What doesn’t
- Too short to serve as a primary privacy screen
- Deciduous foliage drops in winter
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate
The most critical spec for a privacy shrub is how many feet of vertical height it gains each year once established. Thuja Green Giant leads this group at 3 feet per year. Blue Arrow Juniper grows at 12-18 inches per year, which is slower but acceptable for narrow spaces where density matters more than speed. Hybrid willows can exceed 4 feet annually in moist soil. Always verify that the growth rate claim matches your specific zone — colder zones slow down all growth rates.
Mature Spread and Spacing
Mature width determines how many plants your property line needs. A Thuja Green Giant at 15-20 feet wide requires 6-7 foot spacing. Blue Arrow Juniper at 2 feet wide can be planted 2-3 feet apart, giving you more visual density per linear foot. Over-spacing is the most common mistake buyers make — a gap that looks fine in year one becomes a permanent hole in the screen that never closes.
FAQ
How many feet per year do fast growing privacy shrubs actually grow?
Can I plant privacy shrubs in partial shade and still get fast growth?
What is the best spacing for Thuja Green Giant to create a quick screen?
Are deciduous privacy shrubs a bad choice for year-round screening?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best fast growing privacy shrubs winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 8-Pack because it delivers the fastest evergreen height gain with minimal maintenance and a dense pyramidal form that fills gaps naturally. If you want a narrow columnar shape for tight side yards, grab the Blue Arrow Juniper 3-Pack. And for a budget-conscious large hedge that still pushes three feet per year, the 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae pack is the best value proposition in this category.