7 Best Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy in Your UK Garden

By   | Last Updated :   March 7, 2021 | Filed In :   Garden Design

Everyone likes to think of their garden as a private, secluded space, but it can be hard to make that a reality, particularly in built-up areas. If the sights and sounds of other people have taken you out of relaxation mode one too many times, you’re ready for these fast-growing hedges for privacy in your garden.

Why plant hedges in your garden?

Hedges come with a whole host of benefits for your outdoor space.

If you’ve already checked out our garden fence ideas and have looked at other ways to reduce traffic noise, maybe a hedge is what you need. Let’s look at some varieties of fast-growing hedges for privacy in your garden, and then we’ll move on to some planting tips to get you going.

Fast-Growing Hedges for Privacy in Your Garden

So, without any further fuss here are some of the best hedges for privacy and noise control outdoors.

1. Leylandii

a close up of a bushy leylandii hedge, one of the fastest-growing hedges for privacy in your garden

Leylandii is usually the first type of plant people think of when they picture a fast-growing hedge, so let’s talk about it right off the bat. Leylandii is good for providing a tall, dense, tall, tall screen. So tall. It can grow up to 90cm in a year, so you really need to be on top of your maintenance with this kind of hedge.

Leylandii is absolutely one of the best fast-growing hedges for privacy, but its maintenance and management requirements may mean it’s not the best choice specifically for you.

2. Pyracantha

the fiery red berries of a pyracantha hedge

Pyracantha is a hard-working hedge that ticks a lot of boxes. Its evergreen leaves are home to beautiful white flowers in spring, and fiery red berries in autumn… and 2.5cm long spikes year-round – making it an excellent choice for garden security.

Pyracantha grows between 30-60cm each year, and is suited to sun or partial-sun (see more plants for shade gardens here), and most soil types as long as it doesn’t become waterlogged. Once it’s become established, it’s an ideal nesting spot for birds and local wildlife, too.

3. Holly

a thick holly bush with red berries

Holly is another hedge that’s good for security as well as privacy. However, it’s a relatively slow-grower compared to the other hedges on this list, and will only expand by about 10cm each year. It’s a perfect choice if you want a low-maintenance garden, but it might not be the right choice if you’re in a hurry and don’t want to fork out for a larger plant.

Holly berries are great for wildlife gardens as they attract lots of birds – plus you’ll have a head start on making your home and garden ready for Christmas.

4. Privet

a privet hedge, shaped into an archway over a gate

Privet is a fantastic choice for boosting your curb appeal and making your front garden look tidy and classy. It’s best pruned into formal shapes – take a look at our French garden post for some ideas! In more good news, privet is very tolerant to pollution, so you should be able to enjoy it even in urban gardens.

You can expect a privet hedge to grow between 30-60cm in a year, so you’ll be trimming it regularly. It’s a really beautiful hedge for anyone that takes pride in a crisp, manicured outdoor space.

5. Bamboo

How about a twist on the idea of a hedge? Bamboo looks stunning and can easily be used as a visual screen. Its narrow shoots take up very little space, and lend a tropical feel, or relaxing ambience to your garden, depending on how you style it. Golden bamboo or fountain bamboo are the best varieties for creating privacy.

6. Bay laurel

Bay laurel grows at about 40cm a year, and offers thick leaves with a deep green hue and gentle scent. Their pointed leaves were popular in Ancient Greece, and the plant was a symbol of the god Apollo. The shape is still used today, in laurel wreaths associated with achievement, awards and victory. 

If you like the relaxed atmosphere of Mediterranean gardens, bay laurel is perfect for an Italian or Greek-inspired space.

7. Cherry laurel

a close up of pale cherry laurel flowers

Last on our list, but by no means least, is cherry laurel. Cherry laurel grows up to 60cm each year, making it a great option if you’re looking for privacy quickly. It’s an evergreen species and grows well in both shade and direct sunlight, and sprouts pale flowers in spring and dark berries in autumn.

Although it’s an incredibly popular choice for homeowners across the UK, be aware that cherry laurel is toxic to animals. So, if you’re looking for dog-friendly garden ideas, this is definitely one to avoid.

Tips for Growing Hedges

Once you’ve chosen the right kind of privacy hedge for your garden, you’ll need to plant it. Here is just a quick guide on getting the best from your hedge as quickly as possible.

  1. Remove all other growth from the area you’re going to be planting your hedge – grass, weeds, everything.
  2. Dig a foundation hole that’s roughly twice the size of the hedge root ball, and mix the surrounding soil with fertiliser, compost and/or plant feed.
  3. Gently lift (or tip) your hedge out of its pot, and brush away excess soil. Position it in the hole so that the top of the roots are just below the surface.
  4. Refill the hole around the root ball with a mix of earth and compost, compress the edge slightly with your feet and water it will.
  5. Keep your hedges well watered while they become established.

a house hidden behind thick garden hedges for privacy

Maintaining your hedge

In the initial stages of pruning your hedge, decide how wide you want it to be on each side. By quickly trimming any growth that strays beyond that, you’ll encourage your plant to fill gaps in the internal structure, making it more dense (and provide more privacy). Leave the tops to keep growing upwards, but trim the very tips twice a year so they’ll thicken out.

If you’re trying to encourage wildlife into your garden, be wary of pruning your hedge in late spring/early summer (basically between March and July), which is when birds will be nesting in them. 

Tips to help your hedge grow quicker

When you’re growing hedges for privacy, the faster they grow, the better. To encourage healthy, rapid growth, make sure you:

Hedges for Privacy: Things to Consider

the front of a home with a medium-height hedge

Maintenance

Every kind of hedge will need trimming, but some more than others (like leylandii). How will you manage that? Do you have the tools – like motorised hedge trimmers or cordless trimmers, adjustable platforms and PPE – to carry maintenance out safely?

Cost: The bigger the plant, the higher the initial outlay. Waiting for smaller plants to fill out can be frustrating, but that’s why fast-growing hedges for privacy are generally so popular. Weigh up your budget against your desperate desire to never see Bob from next door barbecuing topless again.

Evergreen vs. deciduous: Evergreen hedges will give you a year-round barrier from noise, wind and view. If you just want hedges for privacy during summer (when neighbours are more likely to be out and about), a deciduous hedge might be an option. Of course, deciduous hedges will still provide a bit of cover even when they’re leaves have fallen, but they’ll allow more light to pass through in the gloomier winter months.

Available light: Is your hedge going in a shady corner, or will it be catching full-sun all day? Maybe half and half? Before choosing your hedge, track how much sun it will be dealing with, so you can pick a variety that will thrive. You don’t want your hedge to end up sparse and scorched – or stunted from lack of light.

Final height: Some types of hedges can provide metres of vertical coverage, while others are more suited to shorter, thicker shapes. Factor in the proportions of the space you’re hoping to fill when choosing hedges for privacy.

What are the laws about garden hedges?

We’ve all heard a tale of neighbours falling out, and one household responding with a “spite fence” – a wall, fence or hedge that’s deliberately positioned to annoy the other party. Spite fences might be used to block light, restrict access or completely obscure a previously stunning view. It’s the height (pun intended) of pettiness, but some of the stories are pretty entertaining.

Anyway, part of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 targets spite fences and “nuisance” hedges. If your neighbours find “reasonable enjoyment of [their] property is being adversely affected”, the council can step in. So keep those hedges well-trimmed!

When you’re planning to put fences around your home, it’s a good idea to have a friendly conversation with any neighbours sharing those boundaries. You can listen to any of their concerns and reassure them about maintenance to keep the peace moving forward. After all, unless there’s an additional fence on their side, you’ll suddenly be dropping a bit more garden maintenance on their lap.


Hopefully this post has shown you some of the best fast-growing hedges for privacy and quiet in your garden. May you never have to see or hear your neighbours outside again!

7 BEST FAST-GROWING HEDGES FOR PRIVACY IN YOUR UK GARDEN

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By Kirsteen Mackay

Kirsteen is a professional writer who traded a tiny garden for an even smaller balcony when she moved to Brighton in 2015. Her interest in gardening stems from a keen desire to turn her simple slab of concrete into a lush urban oasis, complete with cosy-but-practical garden furniture and delicious edible plants.

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