Best Cheap Fast-Growing Privacy Hedges for American Yards
For a fast-growing privacy hedge, consider Thuja Green Giant for dense evergreen coverage, waxleaf privet for a leafy shrub screen, and willow cuttings or hybrid willows for rapid growth. The best choice depends on how quickly you need coverage, the mature height you can accommodate, and whether year-round foliage matters. The 18-pack of Thuja liners suits buyers planting a longer row, while the 3-gallon Thuja is better for buyers who want larger plants. Check regional shipping restrictions and the growth habit before ordering.
| Product | Best for | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack Liners | Planting a long evergreen screen | Cannot ship to California or Arizona |
| Thuja Green Giant 3-Gallon | Larger evergreen plants | Cannot ship to California or Arizona |
| Waxleaf Privet 10-Pack | Flexible-light shrub hedging | May be deciduous or semi-evergreen |
| Green Wall Willow Cuttings | Living fences and windbreaks | Must be grown from cuttings |
| Hybrid Willow 10 Trees | Fast-growing, tall screening | Can reach 50–75 feet |
Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack Liners
This 18-pack provides 18 individual Thuja Green Giant liners for planting a privacy screen or windbreak. Its main advantage is quantity: buyers planning a longer hedge can source multiple plants together rather than ordering a few at a time. The product description identifies the trees as dense evergreens with dark green foliage.
Best for: Homeowners who want an evergreen hedge and are ready to plant a row of young trees. It was selected for its multi-plant format and use as a privacy screen or windbreak. The foliage is also described as having a Christmas-tree scent when broken.
Limitation: This value pack cannot ship to California or Arizona. Liners are young plants, so they are not an instant mature screen.
Thuja Green Giant 3-Gallon Privacy Tree
This Thuja Green Giant is offered in a 3-gallon size. The product information says it can grow up to 3 feet per year and reach 40 feet tall by 20 feet wide at maturity. It can be used as a privacy screen, a garden frame, or an individual ornamental evergreen.
Best for: Buyers who prefer a larger listed plant size and want an evergreen with several landscaping uses. It was selected for its stated growth rate and defined mature dimensions, which help shoppers plan a screen.
Limitation: California and Arizona residents cannot order this item. Its potential mature width and height require adequate room in the planting location.
Waxleaf Privet 10-Plant Hedge
This set contains 10 waxleaf privet plants in 2-inch pots. The shrub has glossy green foliage and is described as a fast grower that can reach 8 to 10 feet high. The product information lists privacy screens, wind screens, hedges, and small-tree forms among its uses. It can grow in sun or partial shade.
Best for: Buyers seeking a leafy shrub hedge with some flexibility in light conditions. It was selected as a non-conifer option with a stated mature height suitable for many screening plans. The plant may produce fragrant creamy-white flowers followed by blue-black fruit.
Limitation: The listing describes waxleaf privet as deciduous and occasionally semi-evergreen, so it may not provide dependable year-round coverage in every setting.
Green Wall Willow Cuttings
This product includes 10 willow cuttings intended for planting as a living fence, windbreak, or natural border. The instructions say to plant cuttings directly in soil 2 to 3 feet apart. The listing emphasizes quick rooting, fast establishment, dense branching, and abundant foliage for coverage.
Best for: Buyers who want to start a natural barrier from cuttings and are comfortable growing young plants. It was selected for its stated planting spacing and intended use in dense rows. The product description also presents it as an option for beginners and experienced growers.
Limitation: These are cuttings, not established full-size trees, so they need to root and grow before they form a screen.
Hybrid Willow Trees for Privacy
This 10-tree set is described as Austree hybrid willow plants, with a claimed growth rate of up to 12 feet per year and a potential height of 50 to 75 feet. The listing says the trees can be trimmed to remain lower and dense. It presents them for privacy, wind blocking, shade, and erosion control.
Best for: Buyers prioritizing rapid growth and willing to manage a tall, vigorous planting. It was selected for its stated growth rate and potential screening, shade, and windbreak uses.
Limitation: The potential height is substantial. Choose this only if the planting area can accommodate tall trees or if you plan to trim them as described.
Buying Guide: How to Choose a Fast-Growing Hedge
Do you need year-round privacy?
Evergreens such as Thuja Green Giant are the clearest fit when retaining foliage through the year is a priority. Waxleaf privet can be deciduous or semi-evergreen, so foliage coverage may vary. The willow listings describe leafy screening, but do not specify year-round foliage retention.
How much space can the hedge use?
Compare mature dimensions before planting. The 3-gallon Thuja is listed at up to 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide, while the hybrid willow may reach 50 to 75 feet. Privet is listed at 8 to 10 feet high. These differences matter near property boundaries, structures, and overhead space.
Should you buy liners, cuttings, or larger plants?
Choose the Thuja liners or willow cuttings if you are planting a row and can wait for young plants to establish. The 3-gallon Thuja is the listed larger-size option. Product descriptions do not provide a guaranteed time to full coverage, so avoid treating a fast growth rate as an exact privacy timeline.
What should you check before ordering?
- Confirm that the plants can ship to your state; both Thuja listings exclude California and Arizona.
- Plan spacing according to the product instructions and the mature width of the plants.
- Match the plant’s light needs to the site; the privet listing specifies sun and partial shade.
- Consider whether you can prune a tall-growing hedge if it exceeds your preferred height.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which option is best for an evergreen privacy hedge?
The Thuja Green Giant products are the evergreen options in this selection. The 18-pack is suited to planting multiple trees, while the 3-gallon option is listed as a larger plant size.
Which product has the fastest stated growth rate?
The hybrid willow listing states growth of up to 12 feet per year. The Thuja Green Giant 3-gallon listing states up to 3 feet per year.
Can waxleaf privet provide privacy all year?
Not necessarily. Its listing describes it as deciduous and occasionally semi-evergreen, so it may lose foliage depending on conditions.
Can California or Arizona residents order the Thuja products?
No. Both Thuja listings state that they cannot ship to California or Arizona.
How far apart should the Green Wall Willow cuttings be planted?
The product instructions specify spacing the cuttings 2 to 3 feet apart.