Explore our selection of 9 hedges to create a private garden oasis quickly

Posted on 23/05/2025

Explore Our Selection of 9 Hedges to Create a Private Garden Oasis Quickly

Would you like to transform your outdoor space into a lush, secluded retreat? Selecting the right hedges for privacy can instantly turn your garden into a peaceful sanctuary--sheltered from prying eyes and street noise. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the best fast-growing hedges and privacy shrubs that suit various climates and maintenance levels.
Learn how to design, plant, and maintain your new private garden oasis with our expertly curated list of nine hedge varieties perfect for quick coverage.

Why Choose Hedges for Your Private Garden?

Hedges aren't just beautiful boundaries; they provide a host of practical benefits:

• Privacy screens from neighbors and street views
• Noise reduction for a more tranquil atmosphere
• Windbreaks to protect delicate plants and outdoor furniture
• Wildlife habitat for birds, insects, and small mammals
• Year-round interest, with options for evergreen or seasonal color

Now, let's delve into our exclusive selection of the nine best hedges for creating a private garden oasis quickly.

Our Top 9 Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy

1. Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'

Vibrant Foliage for Instant Impact
Photinia 'Red Robin' is a standout choice for a quick privacy hedge. Its glossy green leaves burst with fiery red new growth in spring and early summer. This evergreen shrub grows up to 30-50cm each year, making it ideal for those seeking fast privacy solutions.

• Height: Up to 4m (can be trimmed to desired height)
• Best for: Mild to moderate climates, sun or partial shade
• Special features: Striking red foliage, low maintenance, wind-resistant

2. Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

The Classic, Dense Evergreen Hedge
If you need a robust, evergreen barrier, English laurel is a superb option. With its large, glossy leaves and rapid growth (up to 60cm per year), laurel creates an impenetrable thicket for maximum seclusion. It's also resilient to pruning and diverse conditions.

• Height: 2-6m (ideal for tall privacy screens)
• Best for: Sun or shady spots, urban gardens
• Special features: Tolerates pollution and tough soils

3. Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica)

Elegant Privacy with Compact Growth
The Portuguese laurel offers a more refined look, with rich green pointed leaves and delicate red stems. Though slightly slower than common laurel, it forms a superb dense hedge and is better suited for formal gardens.

• Height: 4-6m (clip to size)
• Best for: Well-drained soils and sunny locations
• Special features: Drought-tolerant and neat appearance

4. Cherry Laurel 'Rotundifolia'

Rapid, Robust Evergreen Coverage
Known for its almost-instant results, Cherry laurel 'Rotundifolia' is one of the quickest-growing hedge plants available. Its broad, shiny leaves form a thick, green wall in just a few seasons.

• Height: 5-6m (can be maintained from 1.5m)
• Best for: All soil types (except waterlogged), sun or shade
• Special features: Very hardy, even in frosty areas

5. Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Versatile and Easy to Shape
Privet hedges have stood the test of time for UK and temperate gardens. Quick-growing (up to 40-60cm a year), they're ideal for tidy, formal screens or informal wildlife hedges. Their tolerance makes them easy to manage, and semi-evergreen varieties ensure greenery for most of the year.

• Height: Up to 4m
• Best for: Pollution-prone or urban areas
• Special features: Tolerates hard pruning, attracts wildlife

6. Griselinia littoralis

The Contemporary Evergreen Choice
Griselinia adds a modern touch with its thick, apple-green, leathery leaves and fast, upright growth. Perfect for coastal areas, it's also resilient to wind, salt, and drought. One of the best hedges for quick privacy in exposed locations.

• Height: Up to 5m (trimmed to any size downward)
• Best for: Coastal or windy gardens, urban spaces
• Special features: Holds vibrant color year-round

7. Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

Traditional Beauty, Seasonal Interest
For those seeking a deciduous hedge with privacy features, hornbeam is perfect. It offers crisp green leaves in summer and retains copper-brown leaves through winter, ensuring some screening year-round. Suitable for formal or country-style gardens.

• Height: Up to 5m (commonly trained lower)
• Best for: Clay or damp soils
• Special features: Withstands hard pruning, less susceptible to pests

8. Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea or Fargesia)

Exotic, Super-Fast Evergreen Screening
For an instant, highly private garden barrier, bamboo hedges excel. Clumping bamboos such as Fargesia are non-invasive and shoot up rapidly to provide a tall, dense screen. Choose golden or green-stemmed varieties for different looks.

• Height: 3-8m (depending on species and trimming)
• Best for: Modern or Asian-inspired gardens
• Special features: Rustling foliage for natural sound masking

9. Yew (Taxus baccata)

Ultimate Formal Elegance
For timeless sophistication and lasting privacy, yew hedges are renowned. While slightly slower to establish, they're worth the wait for their dense, dark green year-round screening and high tolerance for shaping.

• Height: Up to 5m (often clipped lower)
• Best for: Formal parklands, traditional or new gardens
• Special features: Long-lived and easy to shape topiary

How to Choose the Best Hedge for Your Garden Oasis?

When selecting a hedge for quick privacy, consider the following factors:

• Growth rate: For rapid results, opt for species like Laurel, Photinia, or Bambool.
• Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreens provide year-round coverage; deciduous options like Hornbeam or Beech offer stunning seasonal color.
• Height and width: Estimate your desired final hedge height and width based on the garden space and privacy required.
• Climate and soil: Some hedges thrive in coastal, clay, or shaded sites--others need sun or shelter.
• Maintenance: Some hedges, like Privet or Laurel, require regular trimming; Yew and Portuguese Laurel are more forgiving.

Expert Tips for Planting a Fast-Growing Privacy Hedge

1. Prepare the Site Thoroughly

• Clear weeds and grass 50-60cm wide for best root growth
• Break up soil and add organic compost
• Test for drainage issues, especially for laurel and photinia

2. Spacing for Quick Coverage

• Plant hedges closer (30-45cm apart) for a dense screen, or up to 60cm for large species
• Stagger rows for extra thickness

3. Watering and Feeding

• Keep roots moist during the first seasons
• Apply slow-release fertilizer in spring

4. Trimming and Shaping

• Trim regularly in the first two years to promote bushiness
• Once established, cut back by up to a third each season if necessary

Creative Ideas to Enhance Your Private Garden Oasis

• Layer your hedges: Mix two hedge types (like Photinia and Yew) for multi-season interest
• Add flowering shrubs: Plant hydrangeas, roses, or lavender in front for a burst of color
• Incorporate wildlife features: Use berry-producing hedges or nest boxes for birds
• Blend shapes and heights: Combine tall hedges with lower clipped walls for structure

Frequently Asked Questions About Privacy Hedges

Which is the fastest-growing privacy hedge?

Laurel and bamboo are among the quickest to establish for an instant hedge, while Photinia and Privet are also speedy options.

How tall should privacy hedges be?

For effective screening, most homeowners select hedges between 1.5m and 2.5m. For maximum privacy, some species can be grown up to 5-6m.

Are evergreen hedges better for privacy?

Yes, evergreen hedges (like laurel, photinia, or yew) offer year-round coverage and maintain their leaves for continuous seclusion.

How often do hedges need trimming?

Most fast-growing hedges benefit from at least one to two trims per year early on. Established hedges may need less frequent cutting, depending on the species.

Can privacy hedges block noise?

An established thick hedge acts as a natural sound barrier, especially species with dense foliage like laurel, yew, or hornbeam.

Create Your Lush, Secluded Oasis with the Best Privacy Hedges

With these nine stunning hedge plants, any garden can be transformed quickly and beautifully into a private retreat--no matter its size or shape. Whether you desire evergreen screening, vibrant foliage, or a formal sanctuary, our selection ensures you'll find the perfect match for your landscape.
Don't wait--start planting your privacy hedge today and unlock the full potential of your garden oasis!

Ready to create the garden of your dreams? Choose your ideal hedge and enjoy peace, beauty, and solitude for years to come.