15 Privacy Screen Plants That Grow Up to 5 Feet Per Year

Most privacy screen plants take 8 to 12 years to deliver the 6-to-8-foot barrier you actually need. Extension services regularly note that establishing an effective hedge takes 4 to 8 years under normal planting conditions. The 15 plants in this list work differently. Selected for documented growth rates, USDA zone compatibility, and low-maintenance requirements, they reach useful screening height in one to three growing seasons from a standard nursery purchase.

Before choosing, you need two numbers: how fast the plant grows per year, and how tall it is when you put it in the ground. A Thuja ‘Green Giant’ purchased at 3 feet and growing 4 feet per year gives you 7-foot screening by the end of its first full growing season. A plant growing 2 feet per year from the same starting height takes two full seasons to reach 6 feet. That math—not the growth rate alone—is what determines when your screen becomes useful. If you prefer a formal clipped hedge over a naturalized screen, species like boxwood, hornbeam, and yew respond well to regular shearing and are covered in dedicated hedge guides.

Quick Reference: Speed-to-Privacy Comparison

*Estimated from a standard 3-foot nursery purchase. Growth accelerates after year-one root establishment in most species.

1. Thuja ‘Green Giant’ — The Benchmark for Fast Screens

If you plant one screening tree this year, make it Green Giant. According to NC State Extension, this hybrid arborvitae—a cross between Thuja plicata and Thuja standishii—grows 3 to 4 feet per year under good conditions, reaching 40 to 60 feet at maturity with a 12-to-18-foot spread. Its uniform columnar-pyramidal form requires little or no pruning to maintain shape, making it genuinely low-maintenance once established.

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Plant Green Giants 6 to 8 feet apart on center. From a 3-foot nursery purchase at 4 feet of annual growth, you have 7-foot screening by the end of the first growing season—faster than any other conifer here. It tolerates clay, loam, sand, and shallow rocky soils, and resists deer, drought, and most diseases. The one limitation is salt spray: skip it on oceanfront properties. In zones 5b through 8b, no other plant beats this combination of speed, density, and low care.

2. Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera) — The Southern Speed Champion

For gardens in zones 7 to 11, wax myrtle is the fastest broadleaf evergreen on this list. Clemson Extension documents growth of up to 5 feet in a single growing season—matching the fastest conifers. It matures at 15 to 20 feet tall and equally wide, with aromatic bayberry-scented foliage that deters some browsers. Tolerates poor soil, coastal wind, drought once established, and periodic wet conditions.

For smaller properties, the compact cultivar ‘Fairfax’ holds at 6 to 8 feet. Plant 5 to 8 feet apart. Before planting, remove all grass and sod from the planting zone—Clemson Extension confirms that turf root competition is the primary cause of slow establishment in newly planted screens. With the grass gone and water applied weekly through the first two seasons, wax myrtle establishes quickly and is largely self-sufficient thereafter.

3. Hybrid Poplar — The Fastest Tree, With a Critical Warning

Hybrid poplar grows 5 to 8 feet per year under good conditions—the fastest woody plant on this list. From a 3-foot transplant, you can have a 9-foot screen by the end of year one. Cold-hardy from zones 2 through 9, it covers more ground geographically than any other plant here.

But two warnings can’t be skipped. First, hybrid poplars live 20 to 30 years before structural failure becomes common—far shorter than the decades-long lifespan of Green Giant or Eastern white pine. Second, aggressive root systems can damage foundations, drainage systems, and buried utilities; plant at least 40 feet from any structure. The best use case is planting poplars as a temporary screen while slower, longer-lived trees establish behind them. Once Green Giant or Eastern white pine fills in at years 5 to 7, plan to remove the poplars. Treat them as a living privacy curtain, not a permanent planting.

4. Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’ — The Softer Green Giant Alternative

When gardeners in zones 5 to 9 want Green Giant speed with a less formal texture, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Radicans’ is the answer. Clemson Extension confirms it as a fast grower, reaching 40 to 45 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide with soft, arching blue-green foliage and less winter bronzing than other Cryptomeria selections. Growth rate: 3 to 4 feet per year.

The key advantage over Green Giant: ‘Radicans’ performs in partial shade. On the north side of a building or near taller trees with fewer than 6 hours of direct sun, Green Giant loses density. Cryptomeria fills that role. It’s also relatively deer-resistant. Plant 10 to 15 feet apart. Provide moist, well-drained, acidic soil; avoid high-wind exposure while the root system establishes in the first two years.

5. Leyland Cypress — The Cautionary Tale

Leyland cypress earned its popularity: it grows 3 to 4 feet per year, tolerates heat and poor soils, and produces a dense evergreen wall quickly. But both UGA Cooperative Extension and Clemson Extension document a serious systemic problem. When planted in the monoculture rows that homeowners favor, Leyland cypress becomes catastrophically vulnerable to canker disease, needle blight, and bagworm infestations. UGA Extension is explicit: trunk canker is lethal, and no fungicide provides control once infection reaches the main trunk.

The monoculture is the problem, not the plant. A row of 50 Leyland cypress trees, all the same age and genetics, gives pests and diseases an uninterrupted pathway. Use Leyland cypress within a mixed-species screen—interplanted with Green Giant, Nellie Stevens Holly, or Cryptomeria rather than planted alone in identical rows. If you already have an established monoculture Leyland screen, begin interplanting now and plan for gradual species replacement over 5 to 10 years.

6. Nellie Stevens Holly (Ilex × attenuata ‘Nellie R. Stevens’) — The Year-Round Screen

Nellie Stevens holly succeeds where other evergreens fail because it doesn’t require ideal conditions. NC State Extension confirms growth of up to 24 inches per year with a mature height of 15 to 25 feet and a 5-to-10-foot spread. That narrow mature width is the key advantage: you can establish a tall, dense screen on a tight property line without losing significant yard space. Plant 5 to 6 feet apart for a wall with no gaps.

It grows in full sun or partial shade, tolerates wet or dry soil, and is both drought-resistant and deer-resistant once established. Red berries persist through winter, giving the screen seasonal color when deciduous screens are bare. No male pollinator is strictly required, though planting an ‘Edward J. Stevens’ male nearby improves berry production. The spiny foliage doubles as a physical deterrent to foot traffic along property boundaries.

7. Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) — Cold-Zone Champion

In zones 3 to 5 where Green Giant is borderline or unreliable, Eastern white pine is the fast-growing native conifer of choice. Growing 2 to 3 feet per year, it reaches 50 to 80 feet at maturity with a 20-to-40-foot spread—suited for larger properties rather than tight urban lots. Its native range across the Upper Midwest, Northeast, and Appalachians means it’s naturally adapted to cold winters, wet springs, and variable summers without supplemental care.

The distinctive five-needle bundles create a soft, feathery texture unlike any other common screening conifer. Plant 20 to 25 feet apart and allow for the full mature spread. Beyond privacy, Eastern white pine is one of the most wildlife-valuable conifers on this list: chickadees, white-breasted nuthatches, and red crossbills all feed on the cones, and the dense branching provides year-round nesting cover. For gardeners building a wildlife garden, it’s the natural backbone of a native evergreen screen in the northern half of the country.

8. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) — The Shade-Tolerant Evergreen

Cherry laurel is the broadleaf evergreen that handles what conifers can’t: the shady north side of a building, positions beneath existing tree canopy, or any spot with fewer than 4 hours of direct sunlight. Large, glossy dark-green leaves create a fully opaque screen. Growth rate ranges from 1 to 3 feet per year depending on sun and moisture; in good conditions, it reaches 10 to 20 feet.

For tall screens in zones 6 to 9, ‘Skip Cherry’ (P. laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’) is the most widely available selection, growing to 10 feet and tolerating more cold than the species. The compact ‘Otto Luyken’ stays at 4 feet for lower screens. Space ‘Skip’ plants 5 to 7 feet apart. Note: the berries, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic compounds and are toxic if ingested in quantity—worth knowing if children or pets have regular access to the planting area.

9. Clumping Bamboo (Fargesia rufa) — The Non-Invasive Option

Most privacy screen articles list bamboo without the most important distinction: running bamboo (Phyllostachys species) sends rhizomes 10 to 20 feet underground annually and is documented as invasive by University of Maryland Extension. Clumping bamboo—specifically Fargesia rufa and Fargesia robusta—is a completely different plant. It spreads only 2 to 6 inches outward per year and requires no root barrier.

Fargesia rufa grows 1 to 3 feet per year and matures at 8 to 12 feet, with slender olive-green canes and arching leaf fronds. Hardy in zones 4 to 9, it’s one of the few bamboos genuinely adapted to cold winters. It performs best with morning sun and afternoon shade in zones 7 and above—prolonged afternoon sun in hot climates scorches the foliage. If a nursery offers “fast privacy bamboo” without specifying the genus, ask whether it’s running or clumping before buying. Any Phyllostachys species requires a buried high-density polyethylene barrier at least 24 to 30 inches deep, installed before planting. That added cost and complexity makes clumping Fargesia the more practical choice for most residential gardens.

10. American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) — The Native Wildlife Screen

American elderberry is the most underrated fast-growing native for privacy. NC State Extension confirms zones 4a to 8b with a mature height of 5 to 12 feet and an equal spread, achieved through a growth rate of 2 to 3 feet per year. Unlike most plants here, elderberry colonizes through root suckers—each year the planting thickens naturally without any additional effort. It’s a deciduous plant, so screening is seasonal, but the wildlife value is unmatched: the flat-topped white flower clusters in early summer feed native bees and butterflies, and the dark berries attract more than 50 bird species.

The berries are also edible for humans—elderberry syrup, wine, and preserves are common uses. For a naturalized screen along a rural property line, or as part of a layered screen where taller evergreens provide the winter backbone, American elderberry delivers more ecological value per year than any other plant here. Consider how it pairs with the rest of your planting for a complete habitat strategy, including companion planting for pollinator support.

11. Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana) — The Toughest Native Conifer

Eastern red cedar holds a record nothing else on this list can claim: NC State Extension confirms it as hardy in zones 2a through 9b—the widest range of any conifer here. It tolerates clay, loam, sand, shallow rocky soil, wide pH ranges, and conditions from swamps to dry rocky outcrops. It has the best drought resistance of any conifer native to eastern North America.

The growth rate of 1 to 2 feet per year means 3 to 4 years from a typical nursery purchase to 6-foot screening height—slower than the top plants here. But once established, it requires essentially no care and survives conditions that would kill Green Giant or Leyland cypress. For a permanent screen on a difficult site—dry slopes, rocky soil, exposed windy positions—no other plant performs better. Plant 12 to 24 feet apart for a natural screen. The ‘Taylor’ cultivar grows in a tight 3-to-4-foot column and is useful for narrow spaces where the species’ 10-to-20-foot mature width won’t fit. The blue-gray seed cones feed cedar waxwings, mockingbirds, and many other birds through winter.

12. Viburnum ‘Chindo’ (Viburnum awabuki ‘Chindo’) — The Glossy Southern Screen

For zones 7 to 9, ‘Chindo’ viburnum delivers the glossiest, most ornamental evergreen screen on this list. NC State Pender Extension confirms it reaches 15 to 20 feet within several years with dense, shiny dark-green foliage and clusters of red berries in autumn. Growth rate of 2 to 3 feet per year. A note for zone 7b: in particularly hard winters, leaves may bronze or drop in exposed positions. Plant on a sheltered south- or west-facing aspect in zone 7b, or choose Nellie Stevens Holly for guaranteed evergreen reliability in that zone. In zones 8 and 9, ‘Chindo’ is fully dependable. Plant 8 to 10 feet apart. Its shade tolerance makes it useful where conifers struggle to maintain lower density.

13. Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia) — Spring Color With Structure

Forsythia grows 1 to 2 feet per year to a mature height of 8 to 10 feet with a 10-to-12-foot spread. It’s best used as the flowering front tier in a layered mixed screen rather than as a sole privacy barrier—it’s bare from November through March, eliminating winter screening. But paired in front of taller evergreen conifers, it adds the earliest burst of yellow color in the garden (late March or early April, zone-dependent) while the evergreen backdrop provides year-round depth. Prune immediately after bloom in late March or April—fall pruning removes the flower buds already set for next spring. ‘Lynwood Gold’ is standard; ‘New Hampshire Gold’ extends cold-hardiness to zone 4b.

14. Red Twig Dogwood (Cornus sericea) — Four Seasons of Interest

Most deciduous screening shrubs leave a visual gap for 5 to 6 months. Red twig dogwood turns that liability into an asset: the bare crimson stems from November through April are among the strongest winter color of any ornamental shrub, reaching 6 to 9 feet with an equal spread and growing 1 to 2 feet per year. Hardy in zones 2 through 8—one of very few ornamental shrubs reliable in both zone 2 winters and zone 8 summers.

Practical advantages: it tolerates wet soil conditions better than almost any other ornamental shrub, making it right for low-lying areas where drainage is poor. It’s native with meaningful wildlife value—the white berries feed fall migrants, and dense multi-stem branching provides nesting cover. Cut one-third of the stems to the ground each spring; older stems fade from red to brown as they age, and annual renewal keeps the display intense. Best used as the second tier in a layered planting or as a front-of-border screen for smaller spaces.

15. Common Privet (Ligustrum species) — Fast, but Check Your State First

Common privet grows 2 to 3 feet per year, tolerates shade, drought, poor soil, heavy clay, and air pollution, and is available at nearly every garden center. On paper, it’s a near-ideal fast screening shrub. The problem: Illinois Extension and University of Maryland Extension both document all privet species found in the southeastern and northeastern United States as invasive. Privet spreads aggressively into natural areas through seed dispersal, crowding out native understory plants.

Before planting any privet, check your state’s invasive species database. In the Pacific Northwest, Japanese privet (L. japonicum) has a substantially lower invasive profile and is more commonly recommended by regional nurseries. If your state lists privet as invasive, choose Nellie Stevens Holly, Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’, or Viburnum ‘Chindo’ for similar speed without the ecological risk. If you plant privet where it’s not regulated, avoid locations near forest edges or waterways where birds can carry seeds into natural areas.

How to Build a Layered Privacy Screen

A single-species row is a monoculture, and monocultures fail. The Leyland cypress decline across the Southeast is the documented proof: both UGA Extension and Clemson Extension recommend mixed-species screens, where different plants are grouped in clusters of three to five, either in a single row for tight spaces or in an alternating layered pattern where space allows.

The three-tier framework that works for most residential properties:

• Back tier (15–60 ft at maturity): Thuja ‘Green Giant’, Eastern white pine, Eastern red cedar, or Cryptomeria ‘Radicans’—tall evergreen backbone providing year-round coverage above fence height
• Mid tier (8–20 ft): Nellie Stevens holly, Viburnum ‘Chindo’, wax myrtle, or cherry laurel—mixed broadleaf texture that fills gaps at eye level
• Front tier (4–9 ft): Forsythia, red twig dogwood, American elderberry, or clumping bamboo—seasonal interest, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity that a single-species conifer wall can’t provide

For small gardens where a full three-tier planting isn’t practical, a two-species alternating row achieves species diversity without requiring a wide planting strip. Alternating Green Giant and Nellie Stevens holly at 5-foot spacing gives you a mixed screen that maintains coverage even if one species develops a problem. For more approaches to maximizing privacy in limited space, see our small garden ideas guide.

Regardless of species, the most critical establishment step is removing all grass from the planting zone before installation. NC State Extension emphasizes that turf root competition slows newly planted screen trees and shrubs significantly—more than most gardeners expect. Remove grass in a 4-foot-wide strip along the full planting line, apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch, and water each plant weekly from April through November in the first two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a privacy screen take to provide real coverage?

From standard 3-to-5-foot nursery plants, fast-growing selections like Thuja ‘Green Giant’ and wax myrtle typically reach 6-to-8-foot screening height within one to two growing seasons. The “first year the plant establishes, second year it grows” rule applies broadly—most trees and shrubs put the majority of first-season energy into root development rather than top growth. Moderately fast plants like Nellie Stevens holly and Eastern white pine reach useful screening height in two to three seasons. Slower options like Eastern red cedar may take three to five years from a small start but build a more permanent and resilient structure.

What’s the best fast-growing privacy plant for zone 5?

Thuja ‘Green Giant’ is the clear first choice in zones 5b through 8b. For zone 5a and colder, Eastern white pine (zones 3–8) is more reliable and grows 2 to 3 feet per year once established. Hybrid poplar works across zones 2 through 9 for a temporary screen while slower conifers establish behind it—but plan for its 20-to-30-year lifespan from the start rather than being surprised by it later.

How far from a fence should I plant a privacy screen?

Plant based on the mature spread of the species, not the current nursery size. A Green Giant planted 1 foot from a fence will push against it as the trunk broadens to 12 to 18 feet wide at maturity. Leave at least half the mature spread as a buffer from fence lines, property boundaries, and structures. For tight side yards with 6 to 8 feet of available width, choose narrow-form selections: Nellie Stevens holly (5-to-10-foot mature width), ‘Spartan’ juniper (3-to-4-foot width), or ‘Emerald’ arborvitae (3-to-4-foot width).

Should I choose evergreen or deciduous plants for privacy?

Evergreen plants provide year-round screening but often grow more slowly in most species and have more specific site requirements. Deciduous plants establish privacy more quickly in the growing season and some—like red twig dogwood—offer strong winter visual interest. For year-round privacy, build a mixed screen with at least 70 percent evergreen plants by count, supplemented with deciduous species for seasonal color and wildlife value. A screen that functions beautifully in all four seasons is a better long-term investment than a wall of identical conifers.

Sources

• NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Thuja ‘Green Giant’: plants.ces.ncsu.edu
• Clemson HGIC — Japanese Cryptomeria: hgic.clemson.edu
• Clemson HGIC — Leyland Cypress Alternatives: hgic.clemson.edu
• UGA Cooperative Extension — Leyland Cypress Problems: extension.uga.edu
• Clemson HGIC — Waxmyrtle: hgic.clemson.edu
• NC State Extension Gardener — What Can I Plant for Privacy?: extensiongardener.ces.ncsu.edu
• NC State Brunswick Extension — Interesting Privacy Screens: brunswick.ces.ncsu.edu
• NC State Pender Extension — Great Evergreens for Screens: pender.ces.ncsu.edu
• NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Sambucus canadensis: plants.ces.ncsu.edu
• NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Juniperus virginiana: plants.ces.ncsu.edu
• University of Maryland Extension — Plants for Mixed Privacy Screens: extension.umd.edu