Waiting years for a privacy screen to fill in tests the patience of any gardener. The right quick growing evergreen bushes transform an exposed yard into a secluded retreat within a single growing season, but choosing the wrong variety means staring at bare twigs for the foreseeable future. This guide cuts through the nursery hype to pinpoint the specific cultivars that deliver measurable annual growth without sacrificing hardiness or year-round color.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent hundreds of hours cross-referencing growth rate claims against verified owner timelines, compiling USDA zone compatibility data, and analyzing the real-world failure points of popular evergreen shrub species so you don’t waste money on underperforming stock.
Whether you need a dense hedge, a foundation anchor, or a fast privacy screen, this roundup of the best quick growing evergreen bushes narrows the field to proven performers that earn their spot in the landscape.
How To Choose The Best Quick Growing Evergreen Bushes
Not every shrub labeled “fast-growing” will perform well in your soil and climate. Before you click buy, evaluate these four factors that separate vigorous survivors from slow disappointments.
USDA Zone Compatibility is Non-Negotiable
A shrub that thrives in Zone 8 will struggle or die in Zone 4. Every plant in this guide has a published zone range — match that to your local hardiness zone before ordering. Pushing a plant outside its range guarantees stunted growth or total loss, regardless of how fast the species grows in ideal conditions.
Annual Growth Rate vs. Mature Size
Some bushes grow 3 feet per year but reach 40 feet tall at maturity. Others add 1–2 feet annually but stop at 5 feet. Know the mature dimensions to avoid planting a giant under a window or a dwarf where you need a full screen. The tradeoff between speed and ultimate size matters for long-term planning.
Sunlight and Moisture Demands
Fast growth requires energy, and energy comes from sunlight and water. Shrubs listed for full sun will produce lackluster annual growth in shade. Similarly, moderate watering needs become high watering demands during the first establishment year. Realistic assessment of your yard’s light and water access prevents the “I followed the instructions but it didn’t grow” frustration.
Foliage Persistence and Seasonal Color
True evergreens hold leaves year-round, but some “evergreen” varieties drop foliage in harsh winters or produce seasonal berries that attract wildlife. Decide whether you need solid green 12 months a year or if seasonal interest like red berries or pink blooms adds value. This choice affects both aesthetics and maintenance.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae | Premium | Rapid privacy screen | 3 ft/year growth rate | Amazon |
| 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings | Premium | Maximum speed and coverage | 10+ ft mature height | Amazon |
| Southern Living 2 Gal. Obsession Nandina | Mid-Range | Low-maintenance year-round color | 48 in mature height | Amazon |
| Rhododendron ‘Aglo’ #2 Container | Mid-Range | Early-season blooms + foliage | 5–6 ft spread | Amazon |
| Ilex ‘Blue Princess’ Holly #2 Container | Mid-Range | Berries + glossy evergreen leaves | 12 ft mature height | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 7-10 inches Tall Trees
The Thuja Green Giant earns its reputation as the go-to privacy screen for a reason — it pushes 3 feet of vertical growth annually once established, outpacing nearly every other evergreen hedge candidate. This bundle ships ten rooted plants in their original soil, each starting at 7–10 inches tall, giving you a full head start over bare-root alternatives. The mature dimensions are substantial (up to 40 feet tall and 15 feet wide), so spacing them 6–7 feet apart creates a solid visual barrier within three seasons.
Hardiness spans Zones 5 through 9, covering a massive swath of the continental US. Owners consistently report that consistent watering 2–3 times per week during the first growing season is the make-or-break habit. Those who maintained that discipline saw their trees double in size within a single year, even surviving harsh Missouri winters. The seller provides a five-day guarantee and a 30-day troubleshooting window, but note that replacement shipping falls on the buyer.
The primary risk is the “sunlight paradox”: a few owners experienced total die-off when planting in full sun without gradual hardening, while others saw perfect results in partial shade. The discrepancy likely ties back to how well the young trees were transitioned from nursery conditions. If you can commit to regular watering and proper sun exposure management, this pack delivers the fastest evergreen screen available in this price range.
What works
- Reliable 3 ft/year vertical growth rate
- Ten plants per order provides immediate density
- Wide zone compatibility (5-9) covers most regions
What doesn’t
- Requires very consistent watering in year one
- Replacement policy puts shipping cost on buyer
2. 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Tree Cuttings
If pure speed is your priority, the Hybrid Willow cuttings from CZ Grain operate on an entirely different timeline than nursery-potted shrubs. These are dormant cuttings — 10 inches tall with root stock between 5/8 inch and 1+ inch thick — that can break buds within a week of being placed in water or damp soil. The 24-count pack is designed for mass planting along property lines, ditches, or erosion-prone slopes where rapid coverage matters more than manicured appearance.
Willows are famously aggressive colonizers, and owner reports confirm that nearly every cutting that gets consistent moisture in the first month will root and grow. Southern Alabama buyers described planting 96+ cuttings and seeing them thrive with drip irrigation for 20 minutes weekly after the first year. The tradeoff is that willows are not tidy ornamentals — they develop into tall, multi-stemmed trees that require space and produce leaf litter. They also demand wet feet during establishment; dry soil kills cuttings quickly.
A minority of buyers reported complete failure when cuttings that rooted in containers died after transplant into unprepared ground. The pattern suggests that soil prep and water access, not the cuttings themselves, were the weak link. For buyers who can provide a consistently moist planting bed and need a living wall in the shortest possible time, this is the most aggressive option on the list.
What works
- Visible growth within a week of planting
- Thick 1+ inch root stock for strong establishment
- High density (24 pieces) ideal for erosion control
What doesn’t
- Not a tidy ornamental — grows into tall trees
- Requires consistently moist soil or cuttings fail
3. Southern Living 2 Gal. Obsession Nandina Shrub
The Southern Living Obsession Nandina flips the evergreen script by offering multicolor foliage that shifts through bright red, orange, and green across the seasons rather than static dark green. This 2-gallon container shrub reaches a manageable 48 inches at maturity, making it a strong candidate for foundation plantings, rock gardens, or low-maintenance flowerbed borders where you want color without constant pruning. It thrives in full sun to part shade across Zones 6–10.
Owner feedback consistently praises the packaging and shipping quality — plants arrived from North Carolina to Oregon with moist soil and intact root balls, often cheaper than local nursery equivalents. The shrub is genuinely low-maintenance after establishment: water twice weekly for the first few months, then once weekly is sufficient. Reviewers noted that it does not produce flowers or berries, so this is strictly a foliage play. The tradeoff is that the “evergreen” label is flexible — some customers observed leaf drop in winter, particularly in colder portions of its zone range.
Where it disappoints is growth speed relative to the claims. Several buyers described it as “slow-growing” and noted that the multicolor leaves were its primary charm rather than rapid expansion. If you need 3 feet of annual growth, this Nandina will under-deliver. But if you want a colorful, low-stress shrub that fills a specific gap without requiring constant attention, it delivers consistent visual interest across the calendar.
What works
- Seasonal color shifts from red to green to orange
- Excellent packaging and shipping condition
- Minimal watering needs after establishment
What doesn’t
- Slower growth than typical evergreen hedge shrubs
- Some leaf drop in winter in colder zones
4. Rhododendron ‘Aglo’ #2 Container
The Rhododendron ‘Aglo’ delivers something the other entries on this list cannot — a dense carpet of pink flowers in early May that nearly blankets the branches before the new foliage fully expands. This #2 container from Green Promise Farms ships fully rooted and ready for immediate planting in Zones 4–8, with a mature height and spread of 5–6 feet that makes it ideal for shaded foundation corners or mixed borders. The small evergreen leaves persist through winter, providing year-round structure even when not in bloom.
Owner reports are overwhelmingly positive on plant health at arrival. One buyer noted that a plant shipped in frigid temperatures arrived with deep green leaves and visible buds, curled slightly from cold but fully viable. Another reported that three rhododendrons purchased at separate times all arrived healthy and went on to bloom the following season. The compact mature size makes this a manageable shrub for gardeners who want fast visual payoff without the pruning burden of a 15-foot hedge plant.
The notable weak spot is a small but vocal minority who experienced post-bloom die-off. One buyer reported two separate orders of different cultivars that bloomed beautifully, then yellowed and died despite stellar initial condition. The seller’s online support form received no reply in three weeks for that customer. While this appears to be a minority experience, it flags a potential issue with root health or planting conditions that buyers should watch carefully during the first season.
What works
- Striking pink flowers cover the plant in early May
- Compact 5–6 ft spread fits smaller spaces
- Wide zone range (4–8) suits cold climates
What doesn’t
- Some plants experience post-bloom die-off
- Customer support response can be slow
5. Ilex X meserveae ‘Blue Princess’ Holly #2 Container
The Blue Princess Holly combines dark glossy evergreen leaves with bright red winter berries, delivering year-round visual interest that few other fast-growing shrubs match. This #2 container from Green Promise Farms ships a fully rooted plant that reaches a mature height of 12 feet with a 9-foot spread, large enough to serve as a specimen shrub or the backbone of a mixed hedge. It is hardy in Zones 5 through 8 and grows well in full sun to partial shade.
Owner reviews are nearly unanimous in praising the quality. Multiple buyers described plants arriving 2 feet tall with red berries already present, packaged to perfection and shipped faster than expected. One detailed review confirmed the glossy evergreen leaves held up through Zone 5 winters without the dieback common on other holly varieties like Nellie Stevens. The critical catch is that Blue Princess is female and requires a male pollinator (Blue Prince) within proximity to produce its signature berries. Buyers who skip the pollinator get a nice evergreen shrub but no fruit display.
Pricing lands well below comparable nursery stock — one owner reported paying under half the local nursery price for a plant of equal or superior quality. The main limitation is that this is a single plant, not a bulk pack, so building a full hedge requires multiple purchases. For a statement piece that earns its keep with glossy foliage, red berries, and reliable winter hardiness, this holly punches above its price point.
What works
- Glossy dark green leaves persist through winter
- Red berries arrive in late fall for seasonal color
- Excellent value vs. local nursery pricing
What doesn’t
- Requires male pollinator (Blue Prince) for berries
- Single plant per order — hedge requires multiples
Hardware & Specs Guide
Annual Growth Rate
The single most important metric for quick-growing evergreens. Thuja Green Giant leads at 3 feet per year under optimal conditions. Hybrid Willow can show visible height change within weeks but is a tree, not a true shrub. Rhododendron ‘Aglo’ and Blue Princess Holly grow at a moderate 1–2 feet annually — respectable but not hedge-speed. Nandina Obsession grows slower, prioritizing dense multicolor foliage over vertical speed.
USDA Hardiness Range
Match your zone to avoid waste. Thuja Green Giant covers Zones 5–9, the widest range among the picks. Rhododendron ‘Aglo’ extends to Zone 4 for cold-climate gardeners. Blue Princess Holly is best in Zones 5–8 and demonstrates exceptional cold hardiness for a holly. Nandina Obsession requires warmth (Zones 6–10). Hybrid Willow is not zone-labeled but grows vigorously across temperate climates with adequate moisture.
FAQ
How fast do quick growing evergreen bushes actually grow per year?
What is the best evergreen for a privacy screen in zones 5 to 8?
Do all quick growing evergreens need full sun to grow fast?
How long does it take for a 1-gallon evergreen to become a 6-foot hedge?
Can I plant quick growing evergreens in clay soil?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best quick growing evergreen bushes winner is the 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae because it delivers the fastest reliable vertical growth (3 feet annually) across the widest zone range while maintaining the tidy evergreen form that defines a true hedge. If you need the absolute fastest coverage and don’t mind a tree habit, grab the 24 Jumbo Hybrid Willow Cuttings. And for a compact flowering evergreen that adds spring color to shaded corners, nothing beats the Rhododendron ‘Aglo’.