Evergreen Fast Growing Hedges: 10 Ideal Plants

Hedges are not only natural, but also visually create a very nice wind and privacy screen. They can reach a considerable height in a short time. Compared to a privacy screen made of wood, hedges are also quite inexpensive and, if well cared for, they are also very durable. The vigor is quite different depending on the species. In addition, they not only offer protection from prying eyes, small birds can also find a suitable nesting place and food here. We introduce 10 evergreen and fast growing hedges.

Fast growing hedges

Fast-growing hedges can create a tight privacy screen within two years. Evergreen plants, which keep their foliage all year round, are particularly effective. Such hedges score, for example

• rapid and dense growth
• good cut tolerance and
• relatively undemanding care

However, they also have disadvantages

• regular cut necessary
• depending on the species up to twice a year

Last but not least, the question of how to dispose of the clippings must be resolved. Composting in your own garden and recycling would be ideal.

Note: When planting a hedge, the marginal distances to the neighboring property must always be observed. These are regulated in the neighborhood law of the respective federal state. The municipal regulatory authorities will then provide information.

Evergreen fast growing hedge plants

The growth of plants can be recognized by the annual increase. Fast-growing hedge plants show at least 30 cm growth per year. As a result, regular pruning is also required. Because without pruning, only a weak branching occurs and the formation of an opaque crown is not necessary. It should therefore be a

• Plant pruning and
• Regular pruning should be carried out from the year of planting.

However, in the first two years after planting, a second topiary in late summer can be dispensed with. This is only necessary when the plants have grown vigorously. When deciding to plant an evergreen, fast-growing hedge, it should always be ensured that only hardy species are considered.

Leyland cypress

This type of cypress is also known as the hybrid cypress. It is very fast growing and therefore forms a perfect privacy screen within two to three years. In addition, such hedges also offer shelter for small birds. The wood is hardy, but young plants should be protected from severe frosts in the year of planting.

• bot.: Cupressocyparis leylandii
• very dense, conical growth
• dense crown structure
• Shallow root
• Growth height depending on the cut up to 500 cm
• Spread 150 to 450 cm
• Plant spacing 30 to 40 cm
• annual growth 40 to 100 cm
• very robust and resistant
• good wind protection
• easy-care
• regular topiary in autumn and March / April
• loves fresh, moist soil
• Thrives in the sun, partial shade but also shade
• Medium to high water requirement

Note: Use gloves when working. Because it can lead to allergic irritation of the skin.

Tree of Life 'Emerald'

There is different types of thuja. This is probably the most beautiful of them. The thuja is also very hardy. Even in winter, the soft needles stay fresh green and give off a fine scent. But be careful, all parts of the plant are poisonous. The tree of life is also a sought-after retreat for birds.

• bot.: Thuja occidentalis "Smaragd"
• upright, dense, conical growth
• Growth height 200 to 400 cm
• Spread 100 to 170 cm
• annual growth 30 to 50 cm
• Plant spacing 50 cm, 1 to 2 plants per meter
• very easy to care for, hardy and cut compatible
• can be cut, but does not have to be
• sunny to partially shaded location
• loves well drained, fresh and moist garden soil
• Fertilize in spring with conifer fertilizer or horn shavings
• high water demand
• Mulch layer keeps moisture in the soil
• Water regularly in winter

tip: The thuja is susceptible to fungal diseases. A strong pruning therefore helps in the event of an infestation.

yew

The yew is a popular topiary and can get very old with good care. When planting, however, it should be remembered that all parts of the plant are poisonous. The needles of the hardy yew are soft, black-green in color and shiny. Decorative red berries appear in autumn. These evergreen hedges form a perfect, opaque privacy screen and are therefore particularly suitable for delimiting the property.

• bot.: Taxus baccata
• bushy, upright, branched growth
• Deep roots
• Growth height 200 to 300 cm
• Spread 70 to 800 cm
• annual growth 25 to 30 cm
• Plant spacing 30 to 50 cm, 3 plants per meter
• undemanding
• sunny, partially shaded, shady place
• also suitable for difficult locations
• avoid dry, very acidic soils
• Low to medium water requirement
• Avoid waterlogging
• very easy to cut and malleable
• more regular cut in autumn and March / April
• Protection from winter sun and easterly winds

Serbian spruce

This widely used conifer has dark green, shiny, 8 to 10 cm long pungent needles with a white striped underside. The initially purple and later red-brown cones grow up to 5 cm in size. The trunk extends to the tip and the branches are crescent-shaped upwards. It's also a good evergreen, fast-growing hedge plant.

• bot.: Picea omorika
• compact, dense growth
• Shallow root
• Height of growth 150 to 400 cm
• Spread 250 to 400 cm
• annual growth 20 to 40 cm
• resistant to disease
• extremely easy to care for
• sunny location
• soil tolerant
• preferably permeable uncompacted soils
• Cut back in autumn and March / April

Cherry laurel

The laurel cherry is the classic among the evergreen, fast-washing hedge plants. It is a real gem with shiny, dark green, almost leather-like leaves all year round. In May, white flowers appear in clusters. Red berries develop from this in autumn. Be careful, berries and leaves are poisonous.

• bot.: Prunus laurocerasus
• well hardy and very opaque
• Heart root
• upright, bushy growth
• Growth height depending on the cut 300 to 400 cm
• Spread 100 to 200 cm
• annual growth 30 to 50 cm
• Plant spacing 30 to 50 cm
• low maintenance
• sunny to partially shaded location
• loves loose, nutrient-rich, somewhat loamy soil
• Low to medium water requirement
• Avoid waterlogging
• Fertilization in early June: manure, compost, horn shavings
• no more fertilization from August
• Cut back in spring
• Protection from winter sun

Loquat 'Red Robin'

This is a rather newer variety. The evergreen foliage is shiny, with the young shoots initially shining reddish and then turning coppery-green. Between May and June, white flowers appear in pseudo-panicles. The red berries that develop from it are an extremely decorative winter ornament. The loquat is conditionally hardy. Winter protection is recommended, especially for young plants in the first year.

• bot.: Photinia fraseri "Red Robin"
• loose, upright to broad bushy growth
• Shallow root
• Growth height 200 to 300 cm
• Spread 120 to 200 cm
• annual growth 20 to 30 cm
• Plant spacing 30 to 40 cm, 2 to 3 plants per meter
• sunny to partially shaded, protected location
• deep, humus-rich, lime-free, well-drained, moist soil
• no waterlogging
• low water requirement
• liquid fertilization in spring
• Can also be used as a solitary and container plant

tip: Cut back moderately after flowering. Do not remove all inflorescences, otherwise berries will not form.

Oval-leaved privet

This privet variety is a popular woody plant for an evergreen, fast-growing hedge. Privet is very popular with gardeners. When growing freely, the hedge develops into a dense privacy screen. White panicle-like flowers appear in June / July. This then gives rise to small black berries that are poisonous to humans and pets. The opposite, elongated egg-shaped leaves are coarse, glossy and medium green in color.

• bot.: Ligustrum ovalifolium
• shrub-like, upright, slightly overhanging growth
• Growth height 300 to 500 cm
• Spread 150 to 300 cm
• annual growth 20 to 40 cm
• sunny to partially shaded location
• no demands on soil
• resistant to fungal attack
• tolerates dry periods
• robust and hardy
• Cut back in autumn and March / April
• bee friendly

Firethorn

The wood is ideal for evergreen, fast-growing hedges. The rose plants form a dense privacy screen in a very short time and are a popular place to stay for birds. The shoots are covered with thorns and alternate, egg-shaped, glossy dark green leaves. White cup-shaped inflorescences appear from May to June. Orange spherical fruits develop from this.

• bot.: Pyracantha
• narrow, upright, sometimes sparse growth
• Heart root
• Growth height 250 to 350 cm
• Spread 200 to 250 cm
• three plants per meter
• annual growth 20 to 50 cm
• resistant to scab
• sunny to partially shaded location
• well-drained, moist soil
• should be slightly acidic to alkaline
• no waterlogging
• regular pruning after flowering
• in the spring organic fertilization with compost

Holly 'hedge fairy'

The holly as a hedge develops into a windproof, tight privacy screen. The plant bristles with temperatures down to -25 ° C. The young shoot is copper-colored, later the leaves are narrowly elliptical, thorny toothed and shiny dark green with a lighter underside. In addition, inconspicuous green-white flowers appear between May and June. Bright red berries then develop from this. However, all parts of the plant are poisonous.

• bot.: Ilex meserveae "Heckenfee"
• compact, upright growth
• Heart root
• well branched with a dense, even structure
• Growth height 200 to 300 cm
• Spread 60 to 150 cm
• Plant spacing 30 cm, 2 to 3 plants per meter
• annual growth 30 to 40 cm
• robust, healthy variety
• tolerates sun, partial shade and shade
• prefers nutrient-rich garden soil
• well suited for topiary cutting
• low water requirement

tip: Wear gloves and protective clothing when working.

Evergreen olive willow

The olive willow has elliptical, leather-like, dark green glossy leaves with brown-black points and a silver underside. There is a sting on each branch. Usually small tubular and white flowers appear between October and November. They give off a pleasant scent. Red berries then develop from this. In the case of hedge planting, however, berry formation must be avoided due to the pruning. Olive willows are very wind resistant. However, leaf shedding is possible in very cold winters.

• bot.: Elaeagnus ebbingei
• evergreen in mild areas
• firm, upright growth
• older plants very broadly bushy
• Shallow root
• Growth height 250 to 300 cm
• Spread 300 cm
• 2 to 3 plants per meter
• annual growth 20 to 30 cm
• heat and wind resistant
• sunny, partially shaded or shady location
• normal garden soil
• tolerates nutrient poverty
• well tolerated by salt
• Cut back in autumn and March / April
• also suitable as a container plant

tip: Fast growing evergreen hedges need regular watering even in winter. The days then have to be frost-free. It is best to give water in the early morning.