In this article, I’ll be recommending 15 fast-growing evergreen shrubs for the sake of your privacy, shade, and screening.
So, are you fed up with seeing your next-door neighbor taking out the trash, or seeing their dog poop in the yard? There’s a simple solution to this, and that’s evergreen shrubs.
Fastest Growing Evergreen Shrubs For Privacy and Shade
There’s a wide range of fast-growing shrubs to choose from. They don’t just give you much-needed privacy, they also shield you from unpleasant sights.
That’s not all, these shrubs act as shelters to pollinators, and it offers them food as well. The same goes for birds and other small, tree-loving animals.
READ: List of Trees For Privacy From Neighbors
How To Plant Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs
To be certain your shrubs get off on the right foot, select species that work in your USDA Hardiness Zone.
The next thing to do is dig a hole that’s about two times the width of the pot, but make it have the same depth. Then spread out the roots with your fingers by roughing up the root ball.
SEE: Fast-Growing Shade Trees In Texas
Fill up the hole, but make sure you don’t add any peat moss or organic matter, that doesn’t help. It causes a drainage problem dubbed as “the bathtub effect”, which is capable of killing the plant or stunting its growth.
For nourishment, all you need to do is add mulch to it, and of course water it. It takes just a few seasons for these shrubs to be fully mature.
There, your evergreen shrubs are in place. Now all you have to do is water it regularly, give them time to grow, and enjoy your privacy!
15 Recommended Fast Growing Evergreen Shrubs For Privacy
Here are my top 15 picks for fast-growing evergreen shrubs.
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Arborvitae
These beautiful evergreens come in a variety of heights. Some could be only a few meters tall, while others can grow as tall as 30 feet.
The good thing about Arborvitae shrubs is that they usually don’t need to be sheared to maintain their unique shape. It comes naturally.
You can try out these varieties
- Green giant
- Spring Grove
USDA hardiness zones – 3 to 8
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Butterfly Bush
These shrubs are also called the Summer Lilac. They are quite sturdy and they have beautiful purple flower sprouts.
The Butterfly Bush is known to blossom all year round, they are also drought resistant.
What I love most about this species is that the newer types aren’t invasive.
I recommend!
You can try these varieties –
- Miss Violet
- Miss Ruby
USDA hardiness zones – 5 to 9
These shrubs are a very adaptive species. They can be grown in almost any climate.
For proper blooming, they need exposure to some amount of sunlight, although they can thrive in shaded environments.
If you live in very hot regions, then you can let them have some sun in the morning, but shade them in the afternoon when sunshine is at its peak.
Exposure to harsh sunny conditions could dry them up.
You can try these varieties –
- Monmar
- Firelight
USDA hardiness zones – 3 to 10
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Elderberry
These fast-growing evergreen shrubs are among the most graceful you can find.
They are simple in looks but give off a classy ambiance.
You can try these varieties –
- Instant Karma
- Lemony lace
USDA hardiness zones – 3 to 7
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Pyracantha
On these shrubs, you can find attractive red fall berries, mixed into the lovely green leaves.
These shrubs boast of a lot of vigor, little wonder its berries can last deep into the winter.
You can try these varieties –
- Graberi
- Kasan
USDA hardiness zones – 5 to 9
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Lilacs
These shrubs have a beautiful purple and green look, they love the sunlight too.
One of my favorite features of this plant is its unique scent, it oozes freshness all year round.
These shrubs need a little space, so be careful not to plant them so close to each other. The little pockets of space will allow them to receive the much-needed air circulation.
Developing powdery mildew is a problem for these plants, and proper air circulation will reduce the occurrence of such.
You can try these varieties –
- Lavender Lady
- Angel White
USDA hardiness zones – 2 to 8
You know that nice and fresh feeling that comes with spring right? Well, the bright yellow Forsythia is the epitome of that.
It doesn’t grow as fast as other shrubs in its class, but it still reaches full maturity in good time.
You can try these varieties –
- Spring glory
- Meadowlark
USDA hardiness zones – 3 to 9
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Beautyberry
This perennial plant comes in different variations.
Foliage colors include dark green, green and white, and purple with beautiful white blooms (during the summer period).
In the fall, you’ll spot some clusters of nice little purple berries.
You can try these varieties –
- Pearl Glam
- Purple Pearl
USDA hardiness zones – 5 to 8
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Ninebark
This evergreen shrub features bold, burgundy foliage that is present all season long.
During the early summer, this native plant displays its beautiful white flower toppings.
This is a cold-hardy plant and it has a natural arching shape
You can try these varieties –
- Summer wine
- Diablo
USDA hardiness zones – 2 to 7
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Loropetalum
The “Fringe Flower”, as it is also known, reaches full maturity pretty quickly.
It’s an elegant shrub, shaped like a vase, and its pink, white, and purple shaded blooms make it a pleasant sight to behold.
You can try these varieties –
- Snow panda
- Zhuzhou Fuchsia
USDA hardiness zones – 7 to 9
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Viburnum
These shrubs feature white fragrant flowers and green puckered leaves.
As for looks, they are pretty much simplistic, still, they are as beautiful as they come.
You can try these varieties –
- Allegheny
- Prague
USDA hardiness zones – 5 to 8
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Dappled Willow
These shrubs feature pink weeping stems and green, pink, and white mottled foliage.
For ultimate privacy, you can plant them in large masses to form thick hedges.
You can try these varieties –
- Hakuro Nikishi
- Flamingo
USDA hardiness zones – 4 to 10
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Spirea
In the spring, this fast-growing shrub features a lot of beautiful white flowers, but in the fall, it gives off orange or reddish foliage.
Most species of Spireas are cold-hardy.
Varieties you can try –
- Grefsheim
- Renaissance
USDA hardiness zones – 3 to 7
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Red Twig Dogwood
These shrubs are multi-stemmed and are reddish.
They look awesome during the winter periods, especially when they have some snow on them.
These shrubs have no problems with chilly climates, as they are tolerant of very cold temperatures.
Varieties you can try –
- Sibirica
- Isanti
USDA hardiness zones – 2 to 8
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Crape Myrtle
These shrubs we’re built for the heat, as they can withstand very sunny climates.
They have an elegant look that is manifested in the summer, thanks to their beautiful white, pink and purple flowers.
There are some species of this shrub that have peeling barks, although they are not so common.
Varieties you can try –
- Natchez
- Tonto
USDA hardiness zones – 6 to 9
There you have it, my recommended 15 fast-growing evergreen shrubs!
When Should I Prune My Evergreen Shrubs?
The ideal time to prune evergreen shrubs is late in March or within the first week of April. This has to be done before the plant starts experiencing any new growth.
If you feel the need to do some light pruning, then late in June or within the first week of July is perfect.
Do not prune your evergreens during the fall season. This is because they are a lot more prone to winter injuries during this period.
What Kind Of Fertilizer Is Best For Evergreens?
Evergreens do not lose their leaves (or needles), they keep theirs all year round. This is a testament to how nourished and adaptive these plants are.
This is not to say that they don’t need fertilizers. They may be able to survive without them but a little extra nourishment won’t hurt, right?
Plants require 17 nutrients to grow, Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium being among the most important.
Evergreens, require an adequate amount of Nitrogen and Potassium to thrive, so fertilizers that are rich in Nitrogen and Potassium are the best suited for evergreen shrubs. This, however, has to be administered in low quantities, and I’ll tell you why.
As I mentioned earlier, evergreens can survive without fertilizers, this is because their immediate environment provides them with a good amount of nutrients.
Too many fertilizers will cause the evergreens to develop open growths. Evergreens on a large fertilizer diet may also experience spaced-out branches.
What Is The Right Amount Of Fertilizer For Evergreens?
Generally, evergreens are good with 2 to 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. You can apply fertilizer at 2 to 4-year intervals to ensure proper growth.
Conclusion
Fast-growing evergreen shrubs do not lose their leaves, no matter the climate change. This means they will remain beautiful all year long.
READ: Trees That Grow Very Fast
Besides the beauty they offer, they can also separate you from the things you don’t want to see going on in your neighbor’s yard. Privacy guaranteed!
I hope this article on 15 fast-growing evergreen shrubs has been informative enough.
Take care!
