10 Fast Growing Privacy Shrubs

Green Giant Arborvitae is a tree that's native to Western North America. This tree naturally grows in river banks, swamps, and bogs. The Green Giant Arborvitae is popular among homeowners living all across the US as it provides very fast growth and lots of privacy.

This tree is particularly planted on yards to act as a hedge or screen. Its natural pyramidal shape and thick green foliage make it perfect for carrying out such purpose. Aside from this, Green Giant Arborvitae has a strong trunk that allows it to resists strong winds and carry heavy loads of snow on its leaves during winter.

Green Giant Arborvitae produces 1/2 inch greenish oblong cones that eventually turn brown as they mature. Animals, especially birds are rarely seen associating themselves with this tree.

This tree grows at a rapid rate and is really easy to grow. It requires very little pruning or trimming. Giant Green Arborvitae particularly loves sandy loam and heavy clay soil conditions. 

Let us take a look into the pros of this tree:

• fast-growing
• wind and snow resistant
• does well in acting as hedge or screen
• requires little maintenance
• has dense foliage and attractive pyramidal shape 

Red sunset maple is a tree that happily grows in most areas located in Western, Eastern and the central United States. Homeowners prefer this over Red Maple, Boxelder, and Silver Maple since it grows at a rapid rate (13 cm - 24 cm annually). Red sunset maple is what you want if you're looking for a fast-growing maple variety.

Its ornamental characteristics make this tree ideal to be planted in the front yard. Green leaves are produced from spring to summer which eventually transforms into an attractive fiery red as fall arrives. Red flowers and fruits are produced during the months of December and January. On places where this tree grows in unfavorable conditions, flowering and fruiting may occur much later.

Red sunset maple is popular among squirrels due to its seeds. Birds such as American Gold Finch, American Robin, Baltimore Oriole, Northern Cardinal, Purple Finch, and Scarlet Tanager may be seen enjoying their time on this tree.

Red Sunset Maple requires constant care as it grows. It is prone to scorching during warm seasons that are accompanied by winds. This particularly happens when planted in areas where soil space is limited. Nutrient deficiency is another problem that you need to look out for. Pests such as aphid, borer, and scale infestation are likely to happen if this tree fails to grow well during the initial stages of planting

Let us take a look into the pros of this tree:

• highly ornamental
• attracts a lot of birds
• grows rapidly 

Pussy willow commonly grows in areas of Canada and Northern Half of the United States. This plant has female and male varieties. Male pussy willows are characterized by their silky gray catkins that resemble a cat's paw. Female, pussy willows, on the other hand, produce smaller catkins. The female variety is considered to be invasive because it produces seeds that are scattered by the wind.

Homeowners love the pussy willow not for its appearance but for its ability to attract wildlife. Gold Finches are frequently seen making their nests on this plant due to its dense branches. It also attracts a lot of bees due to the high sugar content of its nectar. Mammals, such as deer, moose, squirrel, muskrats, and small rodents love to feast on its leaves, branches and buds.

Pussy willow grows up to 24 cm or even more annually. Though it grows very fast, it's lifespan is very short. This plant may reach a maximum height of 25 meters and a width of 12-25 meters.

Let us take a look into the pros of this tree:

• rapid growth rate
• attracts a lot of wildlife
• roots help prevent erosion 

Pee Gee hydrangea grows in all areas in the U.S except San Francisco, Arizona, Texas, and northern Montana. This is a versatile plant that can be grown either as a tree or shrub. It may reach a maximum height of 15-25 feet and a spread of 10-20 feet. It grows at an astounding rate of 25 cm or even more annually.

This plant produces dark green leaves during spring which eventually turns yellow before dropping in the fall. It is highly prized for its blooms which are usually produced during the summer. The white flowers which appear in clusters or panicles are very showy. As winter arrives, they become purple-pink which makes them more attractive.

Pee Gee hydrangea has expansive foliage that gives an excellent amount of shade. This plant needs constant pruning so that its structure won't look awkward as it grows. It happily grows in full sun or partial shade on well-drained, loamy, and moist soil conditions. Look out for aphids, rose chaffer, nematodes, and two-spotted mites to prevent it from dying because of insect infestation.

Fruits are produced but Pee Gee Hydrangea is not observed to attract wildlife.

Let us take a look into the pros of this tree:

• very attractive flowers
• attractive looking foliage when maintained well
• fast growth rate
• grows in various soil conditions 

North Privet is a shrub that is commonly planted in all areas of the United States. It is a popular landscape plant for estates and mansions. It grows at a rapid rate of 3 feet a year. If left alone, the north privet may reach a maximum height of 12-15 feet.

This shrub's foliage makes it popular among homeowners. The leaves form a thick structure that is excellent at acting as a hedge, screen or border. Since it grows pretty fast, Northern Privet needs constant pruning or trimming.

At the arrival of spring, Northern Privet produces petite and fragrant white flowers. These flowers attract a few bees due to their welcoming scent. Dark-colored berries eventually replace them and attract birds such as finches, robins, and songbirds.

Let us take a look into the pros of Northern Privet:

• attracts birds
• excellent at acting as a hedge, screen, or border
• rapid growth rate
• resists very dry seasons when fully matured 

American elder happily grows in the eastern and midwestern United States. As it grows, this plant forms a thicket with smooth yellow gray branchlets. The leaves are arranged in a feather-like pattern that gives it a clean and neat looking foliage.

Flowers are produced in the months of June and August. They are white in color and usually appear in clusters. American elder's flowers are known for their fragrance and beauty.

The fruits of American Elder is food for more than 50 species of songbirds.

This shrub is best grown in full sunlight. It favors well-drained, slightly acidic or moist soil conditions. Mulching is recommended if you're planning to extract seedlings from this plant. Regular pruning needs to be done if you want it to bear more fruits.

Let's take a look into the pros of American Elder:

• fragrant flowers
• attracts songbirds
• clean and neat looking foliage
• edible fruits for human consumption 

Forsythia grows well in the southern, and eastern United States which receives a lot of sunlight and has warm climates. This plant can grow at a maximum height of 8-10 feet and a maximum width of 10-12 feet. It grows in a shaggy manner but soon becomes concentrated or rounded as it matures.

Yellow flowers are produced at the beginning of spring before leaves emerge. The flowers emerge from the branches in groups or clusters that make them look really attractive and showy. Forsythia produces brown fruits that birds rarely care about.

Forsythia is not picky about soil conditions but is highly dependent on the sun for growth. This is the reason why it is recommended that you plant this on an area where it gets a lot of sunlight. Sunlight greatly affects the density of its blooms.

Regular pruning is required for Forysthia's maintenance to ensure that it's structure doesn't look messy.

Let us take a look into the pros of Forsythia:

• yellow flowers that symbolize the arrival of spring
• highly attractive when planted in groups
• grows in various soil conditions 

Blue Hydrangea is an interesting plant to grow. The color of its flowers is highly dependent upon the acidity of the soil where it is planted. This plant produces blue flowers when the soil is highly acidic. On the other hand, pink flowers are produced as the soil becomes richer in alkaline.

That being said people living in Eastern U.S commonly enjoy the blue flowers of Blue Hydrangea. In contrast, people living in the upper portion of the Midwest United States have blue hydrangeas that produce pink flowers. Blue Hydrangea produces flowers from late spring to early summer.

Blue Hydrangea grows in non-acidic and highly acidic soil conditions. This means that you can plant it in any soil type. Not much pruning is required for its foliage to look good. This plant may reach a maximum height of 15 feet and only requires 3 summers to reach full growth.

Let us take a look into the pros of Blue Hydrangea:

• adjustable flower color
• grows in acidic and non-acidic soil
• flowers are highly ornamental
• little pruning is required
• grows rapidly 

Sprinter Boxwood is a shrub that grows well in eastern, western, southern, and central United States. It grows in a compact upright manner which may be transformed into a round dense shape through pruning. It is a popular landscape plant due to its green glossy leaves that resists cold really well.

This plant doesn't care to grow in partial or full sunlight. It doesn't mind being planted on large plant pots or open ground and is tolerant of various soil conditions. It may reach a maximum height of 15-20 feet in 3-6 years.

Let us take a look into the Pros of Sprinter Boxwood

• dense structure and foliage
• can be trimmed into various shapes
• doesn't mind growing in containers
• grows well in partial or full sunlight
• looks clean when maintained well 

If you're looking for a landscape plant that gives beauty and fruit at the same time, then Elberta Peach is what you need. This is one of the most well-known peach varieties that grow well in most areas of the U.S. It produces flowers at the beginning and the middle spring. The blooms are characterized by their pink color. Foreigners not familiar with Elberta peach sometimes mistake it for cherry blossom because of its flowers

The fruits of Elberta peach are highly edible. Lots of bird species may be seen flocking on its branches while eating its delicious and juicy fruits. 

Elberta Peach may reach a maximum height of 10-14 meters and grows up to 3 feet annually. It prefers moist, moderately acidic, well-drained soil that receives a lot of sunlight.

Let us take look into the pros of Elberta Peach:

• attractive flowers
• edible fruits
• attracts birds
• grows rapidly but is not very tall.