Fast growing shrubs that provide privacy: flowering shrubs & hedge plants

Beautiful flower beds, water features and numerous potted plants are not enough to make the outdoor area cozy. Tall trees give the garden structure and provide privacy. If you don’t want to wait long for trees, you can rely on fast growing shrubs.

Sun Loving Fast Growing Shrubs

Fast-growing shrubs not only serve as privacy screens, but also provide food for insects and birds. We shall list several varieties that are ideal for wild hedges. You can plant them right next to each other.

Growing a Wild Hedge: These Flowering Shrubs are Suitable

Summer lilac: The summer lilac, also known as “butterfly bush” is a very robust, drought-resistant woody plant. It prefers a spot in the sun where, with proper care, it will bloom all summer long. It grows up to 150 cm/5 ft annually until it reaches its maximum height of 400 cm/13 ft. The plant is bee friendly. Recommended varieties are “Miss Violet” and “Miss Ruby”.

The panicle hydrangea is also an insect nutrient plant that can grow up to 50 cm/1,5ft a year, depending on the variety. It thrives best in sunny locations. Recommended varieties “Firelight” and “Monmar”. Endless summer hydrangea makes fabulous hedges.

The elderberry, also known as lilac berry, is an upright, fast-growing shrub. With good care, it can grow up to 30 cm/1ft per year. Recommended varieties: “Lemony Lace”.

The Mediterranean firethorn has a densely branched bush. Its orange-red berries are not only decorative, but also provide food for birds. With a growth rate of up to 20 cm/0,5ft per year, the firethorn is one of the fast-growing shrubs. Recommended varieties: “Graber”, “Kasan”.

Crepe myrtle, also known as crape myrtle, is a true sun worshiper. As a garden plant, it is suitable only in areas with a mild climate. The shrub also feels comfortable in buckets.

Also read: Sun Loving Shrubs for a South Facing Patio Garden

Fast Growing Shrubs for Areas with Sun and Partial Shade

You would like to create a natural hedge in your own garden, but only have space in partial shade. No problem. Below we list several flowering shrubs that are suitable.

The noble lilac has a wide, dense growth. As a rule, it thrives best in full sun, but there are also varieties that prefer a location in partial shade, for example “Lavender Lady”, “Angel White”.

The goldbell/forsythia has a sprawling habit and grows up to 60 cm/2ft per year. Forsythia is hardy and fresh green. It thrives best in sunny locations, but can tolerate partial shade.

The harlequin willow is characterized not only with a fast growth (about 40 cm/1,3 ft per year), but also with an intensive leaf coloring. Recommended varieties: “Hakuro Nishiki”, “Flamingo”.

The Amelanchier, also known as shadbush, shadwood, serviceberry, juneberry, is a multi-stemmed shrub that forms snow-white flowers as early as April. With proper care, the tree grows about 40 – 50 cm/1-1,5ft per year until it reaches its maximum height of 5 meters/16ft. The shadbush is ideal for mixed hedges. Recommended varieties: “Glenform” (June Berry tree), “Autumn Brilliance”.

Chinese loropetalum (Fire Dance) is a fast-growing shrub that reaches a maximum height of 300 cm/10ft. Thanks to its bushy growth, it is ideal for privacy hedges.

Also read: Which Flowering Shrub to Plant in October? Top 5 Ideas for a Fall Landscape in Your Garden

Shade Loving Fast Growing Shrubs

Do you have bare spots in a north facing garden? Then look at the next flowering shrubs. Fast-growing, easy to care for and hardy: These trees are perfect for shady locations.

The black elder prefers locations in full or partial shade. Flowering begins in summer, and later, if cared for properly, the shrub will give edible berries. The wood grows between 70 and 120 cm/ 2 and 4ft annually.

The scented jasmine is ideal for a privacy hedge. The shrub not only fascinates hobby gardeners with its white flowers, but also exudes a scent. Jasmine is bushy, but tolerates pruning. Annually it grows up to 50-60 cm/2ft.

The Physocarpus ‘Diable D’or‘ is a tall shrub with a spreading habit and slightly overhanging branches. It has magnificent foliage, which is a vibrant coppery red that turns purple-red as the plant matures.

The Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica “Pleniflora”) reaches a maximum growth height of 250 cm/8ft. Its slightly overhanging shoots and its yellow flowers, which delight the eye from April to September, make it a real eye-catcher.

Large-Hypericum Hidcote (St Johns wort) grows up to 50 cm/2 ft per year. Its golden yellow flowers appear as early as June and the flowering period ends in October. The shrub is evergreen and a real eye-catcher even after the end of the flowering period.

Also read: Why Cherry Laurel Leaves Turn Yellow or Brown? What to Do and How to Treat It?