The Fastest-Growing Hedges for Quick Privacy in the UK

By Paul Watmore, Director at Grasslands Nursery

The fastest-growing hedges in the UK are Leylandii (up to 75–90cm a year), then cherry laurel and Thuja (30–60cm), with privet and bamboo also quick — but the quickest isn’t always best, because speed means more trimming. Here are the fastest options ranked, the best fast-but-manageable choices, and how to get instant privacy.

Fastest-growing hedges, ranked (approx. growth per year)

• Leylandii — 75–90cm. The fastest, but high-maintenance and won’t regrow from old wood.
• Bamboo — very fast, evergreen, modern screen (choose clumping types).
• Cherry laurel — 30–60cm. Lush evergreen privacy, more manageable.
• Thuja (western red cedar) — 30–60cm. Dense, aromatic, recovers from cutting back.
• Privet — fast, tough, semi-evergreen.
• Portuguese laurel — 30–45cm. Refined evergreen.
• Photinia ‘Red Robin’ — around 30cm, with bright red young growth.
• Beech & hornbeam — 30–40cm, with coppery winter leaves.

The speed trade-off

The fastest hedges need the most cutting. For most gardens the best choice is fast but manageable: cherry laurel, Thuja or Photinia give quick privacy without the relentless upkeep (or the regrowth problems) of Leylandii.

Want privacy now?

If you can’t wait, skip growing time altogether with mature root-balled hedging or instant hedging that goes in at head height, or pleached trees for screening above fence height. See our guide to the best hedges for privacy.

How to make any hedge grow faster

Prepare the soil well, water deeply through the first two summers, feed in spring, mulch, and don’t over-trim while it gains height. Browse our full hedging range or fast-growing hedges.

FAQs

What is the fastest-growing hedge in the UK?
Leylandii, at around 75 to 90cm a year, is the fastest common hedge. Bamboo and privet are also quick.

What is the fastest-growing hedge that isn’t Leylandii?
Cherry laurel and Thuja both grow 30 to 60cm a year and are more manageable, giving fast privacy without Leylandii’s drawbacks.

What is the fastest evergreen hedge for privacy?
Leylandii and cherry laurel are the quickest evergreens; Thuja is a close, more manageable third.

How do I get instant privacy?
Use mature root-balled or instant hedging that goes in at head height, or pleached trees to screen above fence height.

About the author: Paul Watmore is a director at Grasslands Nursery, a family-run plant nursery near Knutsford, Cheshire, growing hedging, pleached trees and specimen plants since 1984. Meet the team →