Hedging plants are usually cheap, easy to plant, and reasonably fast to form an attractive natural boundary.
Hedges also provide structure to your garden and make a wonderful habitat for wildlife and nesting birds.
But if you don’t choose the correct fast-growing plants for your hedge, you might have to wait a lot longer for it to grow.
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about selecting the right quick-growing shrubs and plants to grow your hedge as quick and painless as possible.
Follow along with this guide and you’ll soon find your home surrounded by a beautiful lush green hedge in no time at all.
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Table of Contents
What Are The Best Fast Growing Plants For Forming A Hedge?
If you want to create yourself some privacy from neighbors, cover up an unsightly view, or create some natural divisions around your home, these are the best plants to get the job done.
Privet
Probably the first choice on your list should be privet.
This is one of the more densely-packed plants that you can use for your hedge.
The best thing about privet is that you will see plenty of quick growth within a year.
This plant grows approximately 50 to 60cm every year and is perfect if you’re looking for a quick hedge solution.
But the speedy growth is not all this plant offers.
You will find that privet offers your garden a unique look.
This along with a little shaping on your end will enhance the overall look of your hedge.
There will be more privacy for you, and you will have a gorgeous living green screen to look at.
Leylandii
If you’re looking for a fast-growing plant for your hedge, then this is a great option.
Leylandii is known to grow about 3 feet per year.
It is a great option for when you need to grow a hedge in a hurry.
But this plant offers way more than it’s quick growth.
It is highly inexpensive, so you will not be spending too much on your hedge.
You will also find this plant in larger sizes as well, so you can choose whichever variant looks better for the look of your hedge.
Considering the price and availability of options, this is perhaps one of the best choices available to you when it comes to fast-growing hedge plants.
Cherry Laurel
One of the most commonly chosen hedge plants is the cherry laurel.
These plants ensure that you get the ultimate growth that you require from a hedge plant.
Growing about 60cm a year, these prove to be a go-to plant for hedges.
And a great thing is that these plants can grow under both direct sunlight and shade.
So, you won’t have to worry about their growth in case direct sunlight doesn’t hit your hedge for long periods.
They offer you great privacy and prove to be a brilliant option that many people opt for.
Griselinia
This plant is really easy to maintain and can grow quickly along a coastline as well.
So, if you’re living near the coast, this should be your go-to plant for forming a hedge.
These plants are salt-tolerant, so they will not easily get damaged by the salty coastal breeze.
The Griselinia grows about 45cm in a year, so you will definitely have a dense hedge before you know it.
While it may not be as fast as the two plants mentioned before, it is still considered one of the best fast-growing plants for hedge formation.
Bamboo
Another great option available for you is bamboo.
The best thing about bamboo plants is that they do not take up much space.
So, you can easily create a hedge that doesn’t require too much maintenance.
Choosing the fountain bamboo or golden bamboo will give your hedge a beautiful illusion.
With its lush green appearance and quick growth, you will find yourself with a lovely looking hedge in no time.
And a great thing is that bamboo plants are readily available, so you won’t have to go extensively searching for them.
Photinia
Also known as the red Robbin, photinia is a beautiful plant that offers gorgeous red leaves to add to your hedge.
It’s an excellent solution for your hedge as it grows as much as 2 feet per year.
So, you won’t have to wait for years to reach your perfect hedge height.
The best thing about this plant is that it keeps it leaves year-round.
So, you won’t see it shedding in winter as many others do.
Moreover, this plant is visually pleasing as the orangish-red leaves it showcases add more of a vibrant look to your garden.
Pyracantha
The pyracantha is another type of hedge plant that grows about 2 feet each year.
You’ll find that this plant gives you a similar amount of growth to most of the others mentioned on this list.
The main difference you will find is that this plant gives you a little added security.
You can grow this plant in the shade or under direct sunlight and it has large thorns on its branches, so it can help to keep any unwanted visitors out.
How Far Apart Do You Plant Hedges?
When it comes to planting hedges, there are a few things that you have to take into account.
One of the main things you’ll have to do is space plants apart properly.
Typically, you will have to make sure that you give 2 to 3 feet of space between each plant.
Why should you do this?
Well, you need to make sure that you don’t overcrowd the hedge space by growing them too close together.
Moreover, if you want your hedge to look beautiful, make sure not too overcrowded.
How Long Does It Take For Hedges To Grow?
One of the main concerns for people thinking about growing a hedge is the length of time it can take.
And the answer to this varies depending on the type of plants that you choose and the height of the hedge you want to grow.
Depending on those two variables, you get a timeline of somewhere between 2 to 7 years.
This is how long it takes to grow an ideal hedge.
If you really want quick results, you will need to choose plants that have a faster growth rate along with making sure that you’re caring for them the right way.
How Can I Make My Hedges Grow Faster?
If you want your hedge to grow as fast as possible, you will need to take everything into account before you proceed.
Firstly, you’ll need to choose the right type of hedge plants for the correct environment and time of year.
Plants that require full sun need to be planted where they will receive full sun, plants, and shrubs that love water can’t be left for weeks on end in the dry summer sun, and plants that aren’t that hardy can easily be damaged by frost.
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you’re getting the right plants for your hedge.
You won’t go too far wrong choosing from the ones we have mentioned above.
Go about placing them under the right conditions and then make sure to water them for the first two years.
Watering isn’t the only thing that you will need to do.
You will also have to make sure that you’re using fertilizer.
Choose a fertilizer with high amounts of nitrogen and you’ll see an increase in the growth rate.
In general, hedges are low-maintenance, but if you want yours to grow fast, apply a high-nitrogen, slow-release fertilizer in the springtime – just before it begins to grow.
Does Pruning Stimulate Growth?
Shaping or formative pruning is normally carried out in winter or at the beginning of spring.
Other than that, a bit of maintenance trimming should be carried out, usually just one time per year for informal hedges and two or three times per year for formal hedges.
Some formal hedges may need up to three cuts per year.
But maintenance trimming is usually carried out between the spring and summer.
The main difference between formal and informal hedges is how tightly they are kept.
A formal hedge is normally kept very tightly clipped and neat.
However, an informal hedge is allowed to grow a bit more and have a natural and might only need to be clipped once a year for it to maintain its overall size.
Pruning at the right time stimulates growth.
If you go about pruning at the wrong time, you can end up stunting your hedge’s growth.
So, when is the right time to prune?
Winter pruning is ideal to stimulate the growth of your hedge.
However, if you go about pruning during summer, you run the risk of slowing growth.
What Hedges Stay Green All Year?
Whether or not you will have a hedge that stays green all year will depend on the type of plant you choose for it.
Mainly, cherry laurel hedges do remain green all year round.
But there are other variations of plants that also offer greenery all year.
This also depends on the type of fertilizers and care your hedge receives.
A well-cared-for hedge will be lusher than a neglected one.
Here are some of the best evergreen hedging plants for a year-round privacy hedge:
- Hedge germander.
- Portuguese laurel.
- Holly.
- Griselinia.
- Yew.
- Box.
- Holm oak.
- Pittosporum.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Hedges?
When it comes to choosing the best fertilizer for your hedge, you will have to make sure that you’re thorough with your research.
Nitrogen is a key element in fertilizers that usually promotes the growth of hedges.
You will need to ensure that you are keeping a close eye on the specifics of the fertilizer you’re using so that your hedge doesn’t dry out or die.
Conclusion
Growing yourself a vibrant living screen or hedge comes with so many benefits.
These living green walls provide privacy, protection from the wind and intruders; they reduce noise levels, create new habitats for wildlife, and provide a therapeutic sense of well-being.
All in all, even if you choose the best plants for a quick-growing hedge, you will have to ensure that you’re keeping it well-maintained as it grows.
By making sure your hedge is getting enough water, fertilizer, and pruning, you will have a much better chance of seeing it grow quickly.
