Let’s face it: we’ve all got that one neighbor. You know the one—the one who suddenly develops an intense interest in their “weeds” the second you step outside in your bathrobe to grab the mail. It’s awkward. You want privacy, but a massive wooden fence can feel like a prison (and costs a small fortune). That’s why I’m a huge fan of “living walls.” They breathe, they bloom, and they’re way cheaper. Plus, you can’t exactly complain to the city council about a plant being “too tall,” can you? Here are 19 fast-growing bushes that help you deal with prying neighbors:
1. Thuja Green Giant
The absolute beast of the backyard. If you want a wall and you want it yesterday, this is your guy. It can put on 3 to 5 feet a year, which is honestly terrifying if you think about it. My big mistake: I once planted these too close together—about 3 feet apart—thinking it would be “denser.” Bad move. Within five years, they were choking each other out. Give them at least 5-6 feet of breathing room. Also, if you live in “Deer Country,” be warned: they taste like candy to whitetails. I woke up one morning to find the bottom four feet of my “wall” completely stripped. Not so private anymore!
2. Green Columnar Juniper
The “Tight Spot” Hero. Perfect for those narrow side-yards where you can practically hear your neighbor’s TV through the wall. It grows straight up like a green pencil. No wide spreading, no messy pruning. It just stands there and minds its own business.
3. Emerald Green Arborvitae
The Classy Choice. Think of this as the Green Giant’s more sophisticated, slower-moving cousin. It stays deep emerald all year and doesn’t get as “wild.” Success Tip: These are great for formal gardens. Failure Lesson: They hate soggy feet. I lost three of these in a low spot of my yard because I forgot to check the drainage. If the soil stays muddy, they’ll turn brown and crispy before you can say “privacy.”
4. Fast Growing Hedges – Leyland Cypress
The “Speed Demon” you might regret. Yes, they grow fast. Crazy fast. But here’s the thing: they don’t stop. If you don’t prune them, they’ll grow 50 feet tall and start eating your house. I’ve seen neighbors get into literal wars over these blocking sunlight. Only plant these if you’re committed to an annual “haircut” for your hedge.
5. Redtwig Dogwood
Winter’s Pop of Color. Most privacy hedges look like dead sticks in January. This one looks like bright red art. It’s an “informal” hedge, so don’t expect a solid wall, but the color is worth the trade-off.
6. Lo and Behold Butterfly Bush
Hide from neighbors, talk to butterflies. If you want a “soft” screen that smells like honey, this is it. Lesson learned: Prune it back hard in early spring—like, really hard, down to a foot high. If you don’t, it gets “leggy” and you’ll be able to see right through the bottom of the bush to the neighbor’s messy patio.
7. American Holly
The natural barbed wire. This is the bush you plant if you really, really don’t want anyone near your property line. The leaves are prickly, the berries are red, and the birds love it. It’s thick enough to block a view and tough enough to stop a stray dog (or a nosy Nancy). My take: It’s slow-growing at first, which can be frustrating when you’re staring at the neighbors, but once it hits year three? It’s an fortress.
8. Cold Hardy Bush – White Panicle Hydrangea
The Cold-Weather Queen. For my friends in the North, this is your winner. It laughs at snow. Plus, you get those massive “ice cream cone” flowers that hide everything from July to October.
9. Dwarf Burning Bush
Autumn’s Inferno. In the fall, this bush turns a red so bright it looks like it’s plugged into an outlet. It creates a very dense, twiggy wall. Just be careful—in some states, they call it “invasive,” so check your local rules before you start your fire.
10. Compact Japanese Holly
The Heat-Seeker. If you live where it’s hot and muggy enough to melt a popsicle in ten seconds, this is your hedge. It looks like boxwood but won’t die the second the humidity hits 90%.
11. Summer Blooming Wine Ninebark
For the “Moody” Gardener. I’m obsessed with the dark purple foliage of Ninebark. It makes the green plants around it look so much better. It’s a fast grower and very “floppy” in a charming way. Success Story: I used this to hide a rusty old AC unit, and within two seasons, it was completely gone. The white flowers in spring are just a bonus. It’s tough, too—I’ve seen these survive in soil that was basically just rocks and old construction debris.
12. Mosquito Deterring Shrub
Double Duty. Most people think of Lemon Verbena or Citrosa. They aren’t giant trees, but planted in a row along a deck, they keep the neighbors out and the bugs away. Practicality at its finest.
13. Lynwood Gold Forsythia
The Golden Wall. When Forsythia blooms, you know winter is officially over. It’s a chaotic, wild grower. Pro Tip: Don’t try to make it a neat, square hedge. It looks terrible that way. Let it be a wild, golden fountain. Your neighbors will be too busy looking at the flowers to notice you’re still in your pajamas.
14. American Beautyberry
The “Wow” Factor. The purple berries are so neon they look fake. It’s a great mid-level screen for a patio. Not a “total” privacy wall, but a very beautiful distraction.
15. Chinese Fringe Flower
The Southern Belle. If you’re in a warm climate, Loropetalum is a dream. Deep purple leaves and “frizzy” pink flowers. It grows fast and stays thick. I used this for a front-yard border, and it gets more compliments than my actual house.
16. Sensation Lilac
Silence is Golden (and smells like flowers). Lilacs are thick. Like, really thick. They are excellent for muffling the sound of the street or a neighbor’s leaf blower. The “Sensation” variety has those cool white-edged petals. The Lesson: They need full sun. I tried growing one in the shadow of my house and it just stayed small and sad. Put it in the sun, and it will reward you with a scent that makes you forget the world exists.
17. Doublefile Viburnum
The Layer Cake. The branches grow horizontally in layers, making it a very wide, dense screen. If you have the space to let it “stretch its arms,” it’s one of the most elegant ways to say “please don’t look at me.”
18. North Privet
The Classic. There’s a reason you see these at fancy estates. They grow like crazy and can be trimmed into a literal wall. It’s the “OG” of privacy hedges.
19. Mock Orange
The Stealth Hedge. It looks like a normal green bush until it blooms—then it smells like an orange grove. It grows tall and fast. It’s deciduous (drops leaves in winter), but during the summer, it’s a fragrant fortress that keeps your backyard secrets safe.
