Posted by TJ Hopkins on Jul 12th 2026
10 Fast-Growing Shrubs to Block the View From Neighbors
Creating a private backyard does not always require building a tall fence. Fast-growing shrubs can form a beautiful living screen that blocks unwanted views while adding greenery, texture, color, and wildlife habitat to your landscape.
Whether you want more privacy around a patio, swimming pool, deck, property line, or backyard gathering area, the right shrubs can provide noticeable coverage within just a few growing seasons. Some varieties remain evergreen throughout the year, while others produce colorful flowers or attractive seasonal foliage.
Before planting, consider each shrub’s mature height and width, sunlight requirements, growing zone, and maintenance needs. Choosing plants suited to your climate and available space will help create a healthy, long-lasting privacy screen.
Here are 10 fast-growing shrubs that can help block the view from neighbors.
1. Green Giant Arborvitae
Green Giant arborvitae is one of the most popular plants for creating a tall, dense privacy screen. Although often grown as a tree, it can be planted closely and maintained as a large screening shrub or hedge.
This fast-growing evergreen can add approximately 3 to 5 feet of growth per year under favorable conditions. Its thick, rich-green foliage provides year-round coverage and naturally develops a tall, pyramidal shape.
Green Giant arborvitae performs best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Once established, it becomes relatively drought tolerant and generally requires little maintenance.
Growth rate: Approximately 3–5 feet per year
Mature size: 40–60 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide
USDA zones: 5–8
Best feature: Tall, dense evergreen coverage
2. Privet
Privet is a classic hedge shrub known for its rapid growth and ability to tolerate frequent pruning. Its dense branching makes it useful for blocking views along property lines, driveways, patios, and backyard boundaries.
Depending on the variety and growing conditions, privet may grow approximately 2 to 3 feet per year. Regular trimming encourages thicker growth and helps maintain a neat, formal appearance.
Some privet varieties are evergreen or semi-evergreen in warmer climates, while others may lose their leaves during winter. Because certain types can spread aggressively in some regions, check local recommendations before planting.
Growth rate: Approximately 2–3 feet per year
Mature size: 8–15 feet tall, depending on the variety
USDA zones: Varies by species
Best feature: Dense growth that responds well to shaping
3. Wax Myrtle
Wax myrtle is a versatile evergreen shrub that grows quickly and develops dense, fragrant foliage. It is especially well suited to warm climates and coastal landscapes because it tolerates heat, humidity, drought, and salty conditions.
This shrub can grow approximately 2 to 3 feet annually when planted in favorable conditions. Wax myrtle can be allowed to grow naturally as a large privacy screen or pruned into a more structured hedge.
Its aromatic leaves and small berries also provide value for birds and other wildlife.
Growth rate: Approximately 2–3 feet per year
Mature size: 10–20 feet tall and wide
USDA zones: 7–10
Best feature: Excellent heat and coastal tolerance
4. Skip Laurel
Skip laurel is an attractive broadleaf evergreen with glossy, dark-green leaves. Its dense foliage creates dependable year-round privacy and gives landscapes a polished appearance.
This shrub grows well in full sun or partial shade, making it useful in areas where many other privacy plants may struggle. Once established, it can grow approximately 1 to 2 feet per year.
Skip laurel benefits from occasional pruning to maintain its desired height and encourage dense branching. It is commonly planted around patios, property lines, outdoor seating areas, and backyard boundaries.
Growth rate: Approximately 1–2 feet per year
Mature size: 10–18 feet tall and 5–7 feet wide
USDA zones: 6–9
Best feature: Glossy evergreen foliage for year-round privacy
5. Forsythia
Forsythia is a fast-growing deciduous shrub famous for its brilliant yellow flowers in early spring. Its arching branches grow quickly and can form a broad, informal privacy screen.
Under good growing conditions, forsythia may grow approximately 2 feet or more each year. It performs best in full sun, where it generally produces the greatest number of flowers.
Because forsythia loses its leaves in fall, it provides less winter privacy than evergreen shrubs. However, its rapid growth and colorful spring display make it an excellent choice for seasonal screening.
Growth rate: Approximately 2 feet or more per year
Mature size: 6–10 feet tall and wide
USDA zones: 5–8
Best feature: Bright yellow flowers in early spring
6. Nellie R. Stevens Holly
Nellie R. Stevens holly is a dense evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, deep-green leaves. Its thick growth provides excellent privacy throughout every season.
Once established, this holly can grow approximately 2 to 3 feet per year. It naturally develops a broad, pyramidal shape and generally requires less frequent pruning than many formal hedge plants.
Female plants may produce bright-red berries that attract birds and add winter color. Nellie R. Stevens holly performs best in full sun to partial shade and adapts to a variety of well-drained soils.
Growth rate: Approximately 2–3 feet per year
Mature size: 15–25 feet tall and 8–15 feet wide
USDA zones: 6–9
Best feature: Dense evergreen foliage with colorful berries
7. Leyland Cypress
Leyland cypress is widely known for its extremely rapid growth and tall evergreen form. When planted in a row, it can create a substantial privacy barrier within only a few years.
This evergreen may grow approximately 3 to 4 feet annually under favorable conditions. Its soft, feathery foliage forms a thick screen that helps block neighboring homes, roads, and other unwanted views.
Because Leyland cypress becomes very large, it needs adequate spacing and should not be planted too close to buildings, sidewalks, or property structures. Good airflow and proper spacing may also help reduce disease problems.
Growth rate: Approximately 3–4 feet per year
Mature size: 40–60 feet tall and 15–25 feet wide
USDA zones: 6–10
Best feature: Extremely fast-growing evergreen coverage
8. Red Twig Dogwood
Red twig dogwood is a fast-growing deciduous shrub valued for both privacy and year-round ornamental interest. It produces green foliage during the growing season, while its bright-red stems become highly visible after the leaves fall.
This shrub grows well in moist soils and can tolerate areas that are occasionally wet. It spreads through underground stems and may gradually form a dense thicket, making it useful for informal screening and naturalized landscapes.
Periodic removal of older stems encourages the growth of younger branches with brighter winter color.
Growth rate: Approximately 1–2 feet per year
Mature size: 6–9 feet tall and wide
USDA zones: 2–7
Best feature: Colorful red branches during winter
9. Ninebark
Ninebark is a hardy, adaptable native shrub that grows quickly and develops an attractive arching shape. Depending on the variety, its foliage may be green, burgundy, purple, bronze, or golden.
Clusters of small flowers appear during late spring or early summer and attract pollinators. The shrub’s peeling bark adds visual interest after the leaves have fallen.
Ninebark tolerates cold weather, drought after establishment, and a wide range of soil conditions. It is an excellent option for informal privacy screens where a natural appearance is preferred.
Growth rate: Approximately 1–2 feet per year
Mature size: 5–10 feet tall and wide
USDA zones: 2–8
Best feature: Colorful foliage and excellent cold tolerance
10. Clumping Bamboo
Clumping bamboo can create a tall, dense privacy screen while adding a lush, tropical appearance to the landscape. Unlike many running bamboo varieties, clumping types generally expand outward gradually rather than spreading rapidly through long underground runners.
Some varieties can grow several feet during a single growing season once established. Their upright stems and dense leaves provide effective screening without requiring a large amount of ground space.
Choose a cold-hardy variety suited to your climate and confirm its mature size before planting. Even clumping bamboo should be monitored and given enough room to expand.
Growth rate: Rapid once established; varies by species
Mature size: Approximately 8–25 feet tall, depending on the variety
USDA zones: Varies by species
Best feature: Tall privacy coverage with a narrow footprint
Tips for Planting a Fast-Growing Privacy Screen
Choosing fast-growing shrubs is only the first step. Proper planting and care can help your privacy screen fill in more quickly and remain healthy for many years.
- Check the mature width: Avoid planting shrubs too closely. Crowded plants may compete for water and nutrients and can develop poor airflow.
- Plant in staggered rows: If space allows, two staggered rows can create thicker coverage and reduce visible gaps.
- Prepare the soil: Loosen compacted soil and improve drainage before planting.
- Water regularly: Newly planted shrubs usually need consistent moisture while their roots become established.
- Apply mulch: Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and reduce weeds. Keep mulch away from the stems or trunks.
- Prune carefully: Light pruning can encourage dense branching, but excessive trimming may slow establishment.
- Mix several species: Using more than one type of shrub creates a natural appearance and reduces the chance that one pest or disease will affect the entire screen.
Evergreen vs. Deciduous Privacy Shrubs
Evergreen shrubs retain foliage throughout the year and are usually the best choice when continuous privacy is the main goal. Green Giant arborvitae, Skip laurel, wax myrtle, Nellie R. Stevens holly, and Leyland cypress can provide dependable coverage during every season.
Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves during fall or winter but often provide colorful flowers, attractive foliage, berries, or decorative branches. Forsythia, ninebark, and red twig dogwood are excellent choices when seasonal beauty is as important as privacy.
Combining evergreen and deciduous shrubs can create a layered landscape with reliable screening and greater year-round interest.
Final Thoughts
Fast-growing shrubs can turn an exposed yard into a greener and more private outdoor space. Green Giant arborvitae and Leyland cypress are excellent options for tall evergreen screens, while Skip laurel and privet work well as dense hedges. Forsythia, ninebark, and red twig dogwood add seasonal color and a more natural appearance.
Before planting, consider your USDA growing zone, available sunlight, soil conditions, and the mature size of each shrub. With thoughtful spacing and proper care, a living privacy screen can provide beauty, shade, wildlife habitat, and separation from neighboring properties for many years.