The Quickest Growing Hedges for Privacy: A Complete Guide
If you want fast privacy, better boundaries, or an instant garden makeover, choosing the right hedge can make all the difference. Some hedges grow slowly and take years to fill out, while others can deliver thick, green coverage in a surprisingly short time. And if you need results right now, instant hedging can give you a fully formed hedge the day it’s planted.
If you are still at the planning stage and wondering when to plant your hedge, read our seasonal guide: “When Is the Best Month to Plant Hedges? A Seasonal Guide for UK Gardens.”
This guide covers everything homeowners search for:
- the quickest growing hedge
- the best fast-growing hedges for privacy
- what instant hedges are and whether they work
- how fast instant hedges grow once planted
What Is the Quickest Growing Hedge?
The quickest growing hedges in the UK typically grow between 30–90cm per year, depending on conditions. The fastest include:
1. Leylandii (Leyland Cypress)
- Often the fastest hedge available
- Growth rate: 60–90cm per year
- Great for quick privacy
- Evergreen and very dense
- Requires regular trimming to avoid becoming too tall
2. Laurel (Cherry Laurel / Portuguese Laurel)
- Growth rate: 30–60cm per year
- Large, glossy leaves
- Excellent for blocking neighbours instantly
- Works well in most soils
3. Green Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)
- Growth rate: 40–60cm per year
- Forms a neat, classic hedge
- Semi-evergreen but holds its leaves well in mild winters
4. Griselinia littoralis
- Growth rate: 30–45cm per year
- Bright green leaves, perfect for coastal areas
- Stylish, modern look
5. Bamboo (Clumping varieties only)
- Growth rate: very fast, often 1m+ per year
- Excellent instant screening
- Must choose non-invasive clumping types
Quickest-growing hedge overall:
For most UK gardens, Leylandii is the quickest, but Laurel and Privet offer the best balance of speed + ease of maintenance.
The Best Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy
If your main priority is blocking neighbours quickly, the best options are:
Cherry Laurel
Great for instant privacy due to its wide, dense leaves.
Portuguese Laurel
More elegant and compact than Cherry Laurel, excellent for formal gardens.
Griselinia
Ideal for coastal towns, modern gardens, and year-round privacy.
Red Robin (Photinia)
Not the fastest, but offers deep colour and a premium look.
Privet
Thick coverage and responds extremely well to trimming.
Why these hedges provide the best privacy
- They are evergreen (or nearly evergreen)
- They create full density quickly
- They can be maintained at heights between 1.5–3m
- They block both visibility and noise
What Is an Instant Hedge and Does It Work?
An instant hedge is a fully grown, mature hedging unit that is planted in long sections, usually 1 metre in length. Instead of waiting years for young plants to fill out, you get a ready-made hedge immediately.
How Instant Hedges Are Grown
Specialist growers plant hedges in the ground or in long troughs and grow them together so the roots knit into a single, solid unit. These are then lifted and delivered as established, mature hedging blocks.
Benefits of Instant Hedges
- Immediate privacy
- Ready-made boundary
- Uniform height and thickness
- Strong initial root systems
- Great for new builds or properties overlooked by neighbours
Does Instant Hedging Work?
Yes — instant hedges are extremely effective when planted correctly. They look finished the same day and continue to grow like a normal hedge once established. Good watering and aftercare are essential for the first 12 months.
For step-by-step watering, feeding and maintenance advice, see “How to Care for Instant Hedges: Watering, Feeding & Maintenance Guide.”
How Fast Does an Instant Hedge Grow?
Once planted, an instant hedge will continue growing at its natural rate. Typical expectations:
-
Year 1 (Establishment)
- Slow to moderate growth
- Rooting into the new soil
- Watering is essential
-
Year 2 and beyond
- Growth matches standard hedge rates
- Laurel: 30–60cm per year
- Privet: 40–60cm per year
- Griselinia: 30–45cm per year
- Leylandii: 60–90cm per year
Instant hedges won’t “shoot” upward overnight, but they give you instant fullness and height from day one, and then grow naturally each year.
Factors that influence growth
- Soil quality
- Sun exposure
- Watering in the first year
- Fertiliser
- Mulching
- Climate
Instant Hedge vs Fast-Growing Hedge: Which Should You Choose?
| Feature | Instant Hedge | Fast-Growing Hedge |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Immediate | 1–3 years |
| Cost | Higher | Affordable |
| Maintenance | Regular care needed early on | Regular trimming |
| Appearance | Mature from day one | Develops gradually |
| Best For | Quick screening, new builds, gardens overlooked | Budget-friendly, long-term projects |
If you want a finished look immediately, choose an instant hedge.
If you prefer a more affordable option and can wait, a fast-growing species is the best choice.
FAQs
What is the quickest way to grow a hedge?
Choose a fast-growing species, plant in good soil, water well for the first year, mulch, and trim lightly to encourage branching.
How quickly can you grow a hedge?
Most fast-growing hedges reach a good privacy height within 2–3 years.
Is Leylandii still recommended?
Yes, but regular trimming is essential to prevent neighbour disputes.
Can instant hedges die?
Instant hedges are very robust when watered and planted correctly. Neglecting watering is the most common cause of failure.
If you are unsure about hedge height limits, boundary regulations or neighbour considerations, take a look at “Planning Permission for Hedges: What You Need to Know in the UK.”
It’s also helpful to review our guide on how to choose the right hedge for your garden, which explains how height, growth rate and long-term maintenance should influence your hedge selection from the outset.