There’s nothing quite like relaxing in a green, tranquil garden until curious neighbors peer over your fence. Whether you’re hosting a backyard brunch or just sipping tea with your thoughts, having a private space can make all the difference.
That’s where fast-growing shrubs and bushes come in. You don’t need towering fences or cold concrete walls to enjoy a peaceful retreat. These living fences are natural, easy to grow, and bring beauty along with seclusion.
Below, you’ll find 30 of the best shrubs and bushes that grow fast, fill space quickly, and thrive without much pampering. From flowering varieties to dense evergreens, there’s something here to fit every corner of your garden.
#1 Photinia
Photinia makes an instant impression with its fiery red new leaves that turn a deep green as they mature. It grows fast and forms a dense, lush hedge when regularly pruned.
You’ll want to plant it in full sun or partial shade and give it some water during dry spells. It’s a favorite for homeowners who want privacy without losing visual appeal. Plus, the dramatic color contrast gives your landscape a bold, fresh feel.
#2 Berberis
Berberis isn’t just tough, it’s stylish, too. With thorny stems and ever-changing foliage that shifts from green to rich red or golden tones, it deters intruders while looking good.
You can plant it in nearly any soil, and it thrives with minimal fuss in full sun. A little trimming keeps it neat and full. Its compact form makes it perfect for smaller spaces or layered hedges.
#3 Rambling Roses
Image Credits: Gardenersworld
Rambling Roses are classic climbers with thick foliage and elegant blooms that practically smother fences and arbors in charm. You’ll need to provide something for them to climb and plenty of sunlight.
Their quick growth offers a natural barrier in no time. Prune them back once a year to manage size and shape. Bonus: bees and butterflies love them just as much as you will.
#4 Pyracantha
Image Credits: Starnursery
This thorny evergreen lives up to its fiery name, sporting bright berries and sharp defenses. Pyracantha grows rapidly into a living fence that birds adore and most pests avoid.
It does well in sun or partial shade and tolerates pruning like a champ. Keep it trimmed for a sleek hedge or let it sprawl naturally. You’ll enjoy year-round greenery and seasonal bursts of orange or red.
#5 Buddleia
Image Credits: Cottagefarmsdirect
If you want both privacy and pollinators, Buddleia delivers. Its fast growth and arching blooms create a full, informal screen that butterflies can’t resist. It loves sunny spots and needs occasional pruning to stay in shape.
You won’t need to baby it, it’s drought-tolerant once established. This one’s perfect for a wildlife-friendly garden that doesn’t feel boxed in.
#6 Lilac
Image Credits: Springhillnursery
Nothing says “welcome spring” like the sweet scent of lilacs. These shrubs grow into thick, leafy masses and shoot up quickly when happy. Full sun and well-draining soil help them perform their best.
After flowering, give them a trim to keep their shape. Their blooms may be short-lived, but the greenery provides year-round privacy.
#7 Gooseberries
Image Credits: Newlifeonahomestead
These thorny shrubs are a clever combo of edible and practical. Gooseberries offer dense growth and delicious summer fruit with very little fuss. They do well in cooler climates and appreciate mulch to conserve moisture.
You’ll want to water them during dry spells, but otherwise, they’re low maintenance. Perfect for food gardeners who also want to block a view.
#8 Viburnum
Image Credits: Sarahraven
Viburnum is one of the most versatile privacy shrubs. Some types grow like trees, others form tight mounds. Most feature soft blooms in spring and colorful berries later in the season.
You can grow them in sun or shade, and they’re not fussy about soil. Keep them lightly pruned to encourage bushy growth. Their year-round appeal makes them a solid hedge choice.
#9 Ninebark
Image Credits: Naturehills
If you like structure with a bit of flair, Ninebark delivers with peeling bark and dramatic foliage. It thrives in full sun and adapts easily to different soil conditions.
You’ll get fast growth and a sprawling habit that fills space quickly. It’s best pruned after blooming to shape its airy form. Ninebark looks especially lovely in mixed privacy borders.
#10 Bamboo
Image Credits: Pinterest
For fast, green coverage, nothing beats bamboo. Certain clumping varieties can grow several feet in a single season and won’t take over your yard like their running cousins.
They love full sun and moist soil, and they don’t mind being close together. Use a root barrier to control spread if needed. This living screen brings a tropical touch with minimal effort.
#11 Hydrangea
Image Credits: Fastgrowingtree
Hydrangeas aren’t just about big, beautiful blooms; they also make excellent privacy shrubs. With proper pruning and rich soil, they fill in quickly and can reach impressive heights.
You’ll want to plant them in morning sun and afternoon shade to help the flowers last longer. Regular watering keeps them happy, especially in warmer months. Their changing bloom colors based on soil pH add a playful surprise to your garden.
#12 Autumn Olive
Image Credits: Gardenia
Autumn Olive is a fast-growing shrub that thrives where others fail. Its silvery-green leaves and fragrant spring blooms make it attractive year-round.
You’ll find it especially useful on poor or dry soils since it fixes nitrogen and improves the land as it grows. Though considered invasive in some areas, it can be managed with routine pruning.
#13 Cypresses
Image Credits: Whatgrowsthere
Cypresses are go-to evergreens for creating a tall, narrow wall of green in no time. Their upright habit makes them ideal for borders where space is limited but privacy is key.
Plant them in full sun and well-drained soil for best results. They’re hardy, drought-resistant, and fairly hands-off once established. Use them as natural columns to frame walkways or line your yard with structure.
#14 Holly
Image Credits: Plantenkweker
With glossy leaves and bold red berries, Holly adds elegance and protection to your landscape. Its dense form and spiny foliage deter intruders while making a striking hedge.
You’ll want to grow both male and female plants to get berries. It handles shade better than many evergreens and stays green all winter long. This classic shrub is a staple for privacy and beauty year-round.
#15 Elder
Image Credits: Woodlandtrust
Elder shrubs are fast, sprawling, and full of personality. In spring, they bloom with creamy white flowers, followed by deep purple berries loved by birds and foragers alike.
They prefer moist soil and a sunny location, but they’re adaptable to a range of garden conditions. You can prune them hard in early spring to keep them tidy. Bonus: the flowers and fruit are great for homemade syrups and teas.
#16 Forsythia
Image Credits: Jparkers
Nothing beats the golden burst of Forsythia after a long winter. This deciduous shrub spreads quickly, forming a cheerful privacy screen with arching branches. Plant it in full sun to encourage the most vibrant bloom display.
It’s low-maintenance, but a light prune after flowering keeps it compact. With Forsythia, your privacy hedge also becomes a seasonal celebration.
#17 Willows
Image Credits: Naturehills
Willows are vigorous growers that don’t waste time filling space. Their soft, flexible branches and lush foliage make them ideal for windbreaks and secluded corners. Plant them near water or ensure consistent moisture for the best growth.
They’re especially useful in areas prone to erosion. With their graceful movement in the breeze, they bring both motion and calm to your garden.
#18 Beautyberry
Image Credits: 317grow
Beautyberry lives up to its name, producing neon-purple berries that practically glow against its green leaves. It grows fast and wide, making it excellent for layered privacy planting. Give it a sunny to partly shaded spot and watch it take off.
Birds love the fruit, and deer tend to leave it alone. Even without berries, the graceful arching branches create a soft, natural screen.
#19 Sea Buckthorn
This thorny shrub grows like a champ, even in tough coastal conditions. Sea Buckthorn’s silvery leaves shimmer in sunlight, and its orange berries are packed with vitamin C.
It thrives in full sun and poor, sandy soils, making it great for challenging spots. The thorns act as a natural barrier, and its roots help prevent soil erosion.
#20 Privet
Image Credits: Hedgenursery
Privet is a classic hedge plant for good reason, it grows fast, trims easily, and forms a solid wall of green. With regular shearing, it stays dense and formal, or you can let it grow more freely for a casual screen.
It enjoys full sun but tolerates some shade, and it doesn’t mind most soil types. Blooming in late spring with small white flowers, it brings fragrance along with privacy.
#21 Arborvitae
Image Credits: Gardeningknowhow
Arborvitae is a tall, slender evergreen that grows quickly and fills in tightly, perfect for a living privacy wall. It’s ideal for narrow spaces, especially along fences or property lines.
You’ll want to plant it in full sun with well-drained soil to encourage upright growth. It’s low-maintenance and responds well to trimming if you want a more tailored look. Bonus: its feathery foliage stays green even through winter.
#22 Pines
Image Credits: Gardeningknowhow
Pine trees aren’t just for forests; they make excellent large-scale screens when planted in groups. Fast-growing varieties like Eastern White Pine can form dense, towering hedges in just a few years.
They prefer full sun and sandy, well-drained soil, but can tolerate drought once established. You’ll need to allow space between each tree to let them branch out. The scent of pine needles adds a natural, refreshing touch to your yard.
#23 Ribes Sanguineum
Image Credits: Plantsam
This flowering currant is a showstopper in early spring, covered in drooping clusters of pink to red blossoms. It forms a medium-sized, bushy screen that grows quickly in full sun or partial shade.
Ribes prefers moist but well-drained soil and benefits from a light pruning after blooming. Bees and hummingbirds love the flowers, making it a pollinator-friendly option. Its foliage adds texture long after the blooms fade.
#24 Edgeworthia
Image Credits: Portlandnursery
Edgeworthia is a fast-growing shrub that’s surprisingly fragrant and unique. It shows off silvery flower buds all winter, then bursts into clusters of yellow blooms in early spring.
This plant prefers partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, perfect for woodland borders or understory planting. The peeling bark and bold leaves add year-round interest.
Its compact shape still manages to create privacy in small garden spaces.
#25 Goumi
Image Credits: Bturbanfarm
Goumi is a hardy, fast-spreading shrub that brings beauty and edibility to your garden. In spring, it produces tiny, fragrant flowers followed by tart red berries in early summer.
It thrives in poor soil and full sun and is great at fixing nitrogen, helping improve soil quality. With silvery foliage and a rounded habit, it fills space fast without overwhelming it.
Birds love the fruit, and you might, too, so it’s perfect for jams and jellies.
#26 Hazel
Hazel shrubs grow quickly and produce delicious nuts in late summer, making them a practical choice for edible hedging. They like sun to partial shade and can tolerate most soils as long as they’re not waterlogged.
You can coppice them (cut back to the base) every few years to maintain shape and encourage fresh growth. The catkins in late winter add visual interest before the leaves return. This plant is a great multitasker—privacy, food, and habitat in one.
#27 Hawthorn
Image Credits: Plantlife
Hawthorn offers a dense, thorny barrier that’s both beautiful and effective for keeping out unwanted visitors. In spring, it’s covered in clusters of white flowers, followed by red berries in fall that birds adore.
It’s incredibly resilient, growing well in most soils and weather conditions. The spines also make it a natural security fence. For those seeking a wildlife-friendly hedge with a bit of edge, this one checks all the boxes.
#28 Beech
Image Credits: Gardeningknowhow
Beech hedges are elegant and long-lasting, with coppery leaves that cling through winter even after turning. Though slower in year one, they catch up quickly and form a thick, formal hedge over time.
They prefer sun or part shade and rich, well-drained soil. Prune once a year to keep a crisp shape. You’ll get year-round screening even when other deciduous plants go bare.
#29 Witch Hazel
Image Credits: Bhg
Witch Hazel brings late-winter magic to the garden with its spidery, sweet-scented yellow flowers. It forms a rounded, fast-growing shrub that’s perfect for natural borders.
You’ll want to plant it in part shade with moist, acidic soil for best performance. It’s a low-maintenance option that adds both privacy and seasonal intrigue. Plus, the fall foliage is a stunning golden-orange.
#30 Raspberries
Image Credits: Thespruce
Raspberries aren’t just for snacking; they grow into thick, thorny brambles that double as a living fence. These berry canes grow quickly in sun or part shade and start producing fruit in their second year.
They need support like a trellis or wire, but can be trained to form a fruiting hedge. Prune old canes after harvest to keep plants productive. You’ll enjoy sweet rewards while blocking out the view.
