Fast Growing Large Shrubs – Transform Your Garden Quickly

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Hey there, fellow garden enthusiast! Have you ever stood in your garden, dreaming of lush privacy screens, vibrant flowering hedges, or a beautiful backdrop that feels like it’s been there forever? But then you look at those tiny saplings and sigh, wondering if you’ll ever see your vision come to life in this lifetime? You’re not alone! We all want that immediate impact, that instant gratification of a thriving landscape.

The good news? You absolutely can have it, and sooner than you think! Today, we’re diving deep into the wonderful world of fast growing large shrubs – the unsung heroes of rapid garden transformation. Imagine creating a stunning, mature-looking garden in just a few seasons, not decades. This guide is your secret weapon, packed with expert tips and practical advice to help you choose, plant, and care for these garden superstars.

By the end of this article, you’ll be equipped with everything you need to know about the best fast growing large shrubs, how to nurture them, and even how to troubleshoot common issues. Get ready to turn those garden dreams into a vibrant reality!

Why Choose Fast Growing Large Shrubs? The Benefits for Your Garden

When you’re looking to make a significant impact on your landscape quickly, there’s really nothing quite like the power of fast growing large shrubs. These plants aren’t just about speed; they offer a wealth of advantages that can completely transform your outdoor space. Let’s explore the key benefits of fast growing large shrubs.

  • Instant Privacy & Screening: This is often the number one reason gardeners seek out these plants. Need to block an unsightly view, create a secluded patio, or simply establish clear property lines? Fast growing shrubs create dense, effective screens much quicker than slower-growing alternatives.
  • Enhanced Curb Appeal: A mature-looking garden instantly boosts your home’s aesthetic. These shrubs fill empty spaces, add structure, and provide a lush, established feel, making your garden look professionally designed in a fraction of the time.
  • Windbreaks & Sound Buffers: Large, dense shrubs can significantly reduce wind speeds, protecting more delicate plants and making your outdoor living areas more comfortable. They can also help dampen unwanted noise from busy streets or neighbors.
  • Erosion Control: On slopes or areas prone to soil runoff, the extensive root systems of large shrubs can stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and keeping your garden healthy.
  • Wildlife Habitat: Many fast growing large shrubs provide excellent shelter, nesting sites, and food sources for birds, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife, turning your garden into a vibrant ecosystem.
  • Reduced Maintenance (Once Established): While they need attention when young, once these shrubs reach their desired size, they often require less intensive care than annuals or smaller perennials, especially if you’ve chosen the right plant for the right place.

Embracing these magnificent plants means embracing a dynamic garden that evolves beautifully before your eyes. It’s about smart gardening, not just fast gardening!

Top Picks: Our Favorite Fast Growing Large Shrubs for Every Garden

Choosing the right shrub is crucial for success. You want something that thrives in your climate, fits your space, and delivers on its promise of rapid growth. This fast growing large shrubs guide highlights some of our absolute favorites, categorized to help you find your perfect match.

Deciduous Beauties: Shedding Leaves, Gaining Charm

Deciduous shrubs offer seasonal interest, from vibrant spring foliage and summer blooms to stunning fall colors. They might lose their leaves in winter, but their structural beauty often remains.

  • Lilac (Syringa vulgaris and hybrids): Who can resist the intoxicating scent of lilacs in spring? Many varieties grow 1-2 feet per year, reaching 8-15 feet tall and wide. They love full sun and well-drained soil.
    • Growth Rate: Medium to fast (1-2 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 8-15 ft H & W
    • Ideal For: Fragrant hedges, specimen plants, spring color.
  • Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia): The quintessential harbinger of spring, bursting with bright yellow flowers before its leaves emerge. It’s incredibly vigorous, growing 2-4 feet annually, making it fantastic for a quick screen.
    • Growth Rate: Fast (2-4 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 8-10 ft H & W
    • Ideal For: Early spring color, informal hedges, erosion control.
  • Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus): A summer showstopper with large, hibiscus-like flowers in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. It grows quickly, often 1-2 feet a year, and can reach 8-12 feet.
    • Growth Rate: Medium to fast (1-2 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 8-12 ft H, 6-10 ft W
    • Ideal For: Summer blooms, informal hedges, specimen plants.
  • Hydrangea (Various species like H. paniculata ‘Quick Fire’ or ‘Limelight’): While some hydrangeas are slower, panicle hydrangeas like ‘Quick Fire’ or ‘Limelight’ are surprisingly robust, growing 1-2 feet per year and forming large, impressive shrubs with cone-shaped flowers that change color through the season.
    • Growth Rate: Medium to fast (1-2 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 6-10 ft H & W
    • Ideal For: Late summer color, borders, specimen plants.

Evergreen Wonders: Green All Year Round

For year-round privacy and structure, evergreens are indispensable. They provide a constant green presence, even in the depths of winter.

  • Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Green Giant’ or ‘Emerald Green’): ‘Green Giant’ is a true marvel, shooting up 3-5 feet per year and forming a dense, pyramidal screen up to 50 feet tall if left untrimmed! ‘Emerald Green’ is more modest at 1-2 feet per year, reaching 10-15 feet, perfect for smaller spaces.
    • Growth Rate: Very fast (3-5 ft/year for ‘Green Giant’), fast (1-2 ft/year for ‘Emerald Green’)
    • Mature Size: Up to 50 ft H, 12-20 ft W (‘Green Giant’); 10-15 ft H, 3-4 ft W (‘Emerald Green’)
    • Ideal For: Tall privacy screens, windbreaks.
  • Privet (Ligustrum spp.): A classic hedging plant, privet is incredibly adaptable and grows quickly, often 2-3 feet per year. It can be tightly sheared into formal hedges or allowed to grow more naturally.
    • Growth Rate: Fast (2-3 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 10-15 ft H & W (can be kept smaller with pruning)
    • Ideal For: Formal hedges, privacy screens.
  • Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’): This broadleaf evergreen boasts glossy, dark green leaves and a dense, upright habit. It grows 1-2 feet annually, reaching 10-15 feet tall and wide, making it excellent for screening.
    • Growth Rate: Medium to fast (1-2 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 10-15 ft H & W
    • Ideal For: Evergreen hedges, privacy screens, foundation plantings.
  • Leyland Cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii): Known for its incredibly rapid growth, sometimes 3-4 feet per year, reaching towering heights of 50-60 feet. Use with caution! While fast, it can quickly outgrow residential spaces and requires significant pruning to manage its size.
    • Growth Rate: Very fast (3-4 ft/year)
    • Mature Size: 50-60 ft H, 15-20 ft W
    • Ideal For: Very large properties, windbreaks.
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When selecting, always check the plant’s mature size and ensure it fits your desired space. A “fast growing” shrub can quickly become an “overwhelming” shrub if not properly matched to its environment!

How to Grow Fast Growing Large Shrubs: Essential Planting & Care Tips

You’ve chosen your shrub, now comes the fun part: planting and nurturing it! To truly unlock the potential of these magnificent plants, understanding how to fast growing large shrubs thrive is key. Follow these fast growing large shrubs tips and our comprehensive fast growing large shrubs care guide for success.

Site Selection & Soil Preparation: The Foundation for Growth

Even the fastest growing shrub won’t perform well in poor conditions. Planning ahead makes all the difference.

  • Sunlight: Most fast growing large shrubs prefer full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) for optimal growth and flowering. Check your specific plant’s tag for its light requirements.
  • Drainage: Good drainage is non-negotiable. Shrubs hate “wet feet.” If your soil is heavy clay, consider amending it or planting in a raised bed.
  • Soil Testing: This is a pro tip often overlooked! A simple soil test (available at garden centers or through extension offices) tells you your soil’s pH and nutrient levels. This allows you to amend the soil precisely.
  • Amending Soil: Incorporate plenty of organic matter like compost, well-rotted manure, or peat moss into the planting area. This improves drainage, aeration, and nutrient retention. Pro Tip: Dig your planting hole twice as wide as the root ball, not necessarily deeper, to allow roots to spread easily into softened soil.

Planting for Success: Getting Them Off to a Great Start

Proper planting technique is crucial for encouraging strong root development, which directly translates to faster top growth.

  1. Dig Wide, Not Too Deep: Excavate a hole that is at least two to three times wider than the shrub’s root ball, but only as deep as the root ball. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
  2. Loosen the Roots: Gently remove the shrub from its container. If the roots are circling tightly (root-bound), gently tease them apart with your fingers or make a few vertical cuts with a clean knife to encourage outward growth.
  3. Position Correctly: Place the shrub in the center of the hole, ensuring the root flare (where the trunk widens at the base) is visible at or slightly above soil level.
  4. Backfill & Water: Begin backfilling the hole with your amended soil, gently tamping down to remove large air pockets. Water thoroughly halfway through backfilling, then finish filling the hole. Water again deeply.
  5. Mulch: Apply a 2-4 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or shredded bark) around the base of the shrub, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. This conserves moisture, regulates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.

Watering Wisely: The Thirsty Years

Young, fast growing shrubs need consistent moisture to establish their extensive root systems. This is where many gardeners make or break their plants.

  • Deep, Infrequent Watering: Instead of light, daily sprinkles, aim for deep watering 1-3 times a week, depending on weather and soil type, during the first year or two. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making the plant more drought-tolerant.
  • Check Soil Moisture: Stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.
  • Watering Systems: Consider soaker hoses or drip irrigation for efficient, targeted watering.

Feeding Your Shrubs: Fueling the Growth

While good soil preparation provides initial nutrients, a little extra help can boost growth.

  • Balanced Fertilizer: In spring, apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) around the drip line of the shrub (the outer edge of its branches). Follow package directions carefully.
  • Organic Options: Compost tea, worm castings, or organic granular fertilizers are excellent choices for a slow, steady nutrient supply that also benefits soil health.
  • Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Too much fertilizer can burn roots or encourage weak, leggy growth. When in doubt, err on the side of less.

Pruning for Health & Shape: Directing Energy

Pruning is not just about aesthetics; it’s vital for the health, vigor, and controlled growth of your fast growing large shrubs.

  • Why Prune: Pruning removes dead or diseased wood, improves air circulation, encourages bushier growth, maintains desired size and shape, and promotes better flowering.
  • When to Prune:
    • Dormant Pruning (Late Winter/Early Spring): For most deciduous shrubs, this is the best time to do structural pruning, as the plant is dormant and you can see its form clearly.
    • After Flowering: For spring-flowering shrubs (like Forsythia or Lilac), prune immediately after they finish blooming, as they set their flower buds on old wood.
    • Evergreens: Most evergreens can be lightly shaped in late winter or early spring before new growth begins, or after a flush of new growth hardens off.
  • Proper Techniques:
    • Use sharp, clean bypass pruners or loppers.
    • Make cuts just above an outward-facing bud or side branch.
    • Remove crossing, rubbing, or damaged branches.
    • Thin out crowded interior branches to improve light and air circulation.

Expert Insight: Regular, thoughtful pruning directs the plant’s energy. By removing weak or unnecessary growth, you encourage the shrub to put its resources into developing stronger, healthier branches and a more robust overall structure, leading to sustained faster growth.

Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Fast Growing Large Shrubs Practices

As responsible gardeners, we strive to make choices that benefit not just our landscapes, but the planet too. Incorporating sustainable fast growing large shrubs and eco-friendly fast growing large shrubs practices into your routine is easier than you think.

  • Native Plant Power: Whenever possible, choose native shrubs for your region. They are naturally adapted to your local climate, soil, and rainfall, requiring less water, fertilizer, and pest control. They also provide crucial habitat for local wildlife.
  • Smart Watering Techniques: Beyond deep, infrequent watering, consider rainwater harvesting. Collect rainwater in barrels to use for irrigation, reducing your reliance on treated tap water. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses minimize evaporation.
  • Organic Pest & Disease Control: Healthy plants are less susceptible to pests. Foster a diverse garden ecosystem that attracts beneficial insects. If issues arise, opt for organic solutions like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or manual removal, rather than harsh chemical pesticides.
  • Composting & Soil Health: Your kitchen scraps and garden waste can become nutrient-rich compost! Amending your soil with compost improves its structure, water retention, and provides a slow-release source of nutrients, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers.
  • Right Plant, Right Place: This principle is at the heart of sustainable gardening. Choosing shrubs that are well-suited to your site’s conditions (sun, soil, moisture) means they will thrive with minimal intervention.

By embracing these practices, you’re not just growing beautiful shrubs; you’re cultivating a healthier, more resilient garden that works in harmony with nature.

Common Problems with Fast Growing Large Shrubs & How to Solve Them

Even with the best intentions, gardeners sometimes face challenges. Understanding common problems with fast growing large shrubs and how to address them will save you stress and help your plants thrive.

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Leggy Growth: All Height, No Bushiness

If your shrub is shooting up quickly but looks sparse and spindly, it’s likely suffering from leggy growth.

  • Cause: Often due to insufficient sunlight (reaching for light) or improper pruning (not encouraging side branching).
  • Solution:
    • Light: If possible, transplant to a sunnier location. If not, prune back surrounding taller plants that might be shading it.
    • Pruning: Regular tip pruning (snip off the ends of branches) encourages new growth to emerge from dormant buds further down the stem, leading to a denser, bushier plant.

Pests & Diseases: Unwanted Visitors

Fast growth doesn’t make shrubs immune to common garden nuisances.

  • Identification: Regularly inspect your shrubs for signs of trouble – discolored leaves, holes, sticky residue, or visible insects. Early detection is key.
  • Common Pests: Aphids, spider mites, scale, and borers are common.
  • Common Diseases: Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and cankers can occur.
  • Solution:
    • Organic First: Try blasting aphids with water, using insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil.
    • Cultural Practices: Ensure good air circulation through proper spacing and pruning. Remove and destroy infected plant parts.
    • Severe Cases: Consult a local garden center or extension office for specific recommendations if the problem persists.

Overwhelming Size: When Fast Becomes Too Fast

This is a common issue with “fast growing” plants – they can quickly outgrow their allocated space.

  • Cause: Choosing a shrub whose mature size is too large for the planting area, or neglecting regular pruning.
  • Solution:
    • Prevention is Key: Always research the mature dimensions of any plant before buying.
    • Pruning: Aggressive but thoughtful pruning can help manage size. For very overgrown shrubs, a rejuvenation prune (cutting back significantly) might be an option for deciduous types, but research your specific shrub first.
    • Relocation: If a shrub is truly too big for its spot, consider transplanting it to a more suitable location if it’s still young enough.

Nutrient Deficiencies: The Hungry Plant

Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or poor flowering can indicate a lack of essential nutrients.

  • Cause: Poor soil, incorrect pH, or insufficient fertilization.
  • Solution:
    • Soil Test: Revisit your soil test to confirm nutrient levels and pH.
    • Targeted Fertilization: Apply a fertilizer specifically formulated to address the deficiency (e.g., a high-nitrogen fertilizer for yellowing leaves, or a bloom-boosting one for poor flowering). Adjust pH if necessary according to soil test recommendations.
    • Organic Matter: Regularly amend soil with compost to improve overall soil health and nutrient availability.

Remember, a little observation goes a long way. Catching problems early makes them much easier to solve!

Fast Growing Large Shrubs Best Practices: A Quick Recap

To ensure your fast growing large shrubs thrive and provide the garden impact you desire, here’s a quick summary of the fast growing large shrubs best practices:

  • Right Plant, Right Place: Always match the shrub’s mature size and cultural needs (sun, soil, water) to your specific site conditions. This is the golden rule!
  • Excellent Soil Foundation: Don’t skimp on soil preparation. Amend with organic matter, and consider a soil test to ensure optimal pH and nutrient levels.
  • Consistent Watering: Especially during their first few years, provide deep, regular watering to encourage strong root development.
  • Strategic Pruning: Prune for health, shape, and size management. Understand when and how to prune your specific shrub type.
  • Vigilant Observation: Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests, diseases, or nutrient deficiencies. Early detection leads to easier solutions.
  • Sustainable Choices: Prioritize native plants, conserve water, and opt for organic solutions whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Growing Large Shrubs

How fast is “fast growing” for a shrub?

Generally, a “fast growing” shrub will grow at least 1-2 feet per year, with some exceptionally vigorous varieties adding 3-5 feet or more annually under ideal conditions. This contrasts with slow growers that might only add a few inches per year.

Do fast growing shrubs require more pruning?

Often, yes. Because they grow quickly, they may need more frequent pruning to maintain their desired size, shape, and density. Regular pruning also encourages bushier growth and can promote better flowering, preventing them from becoming leggy or overgrown.

Can I plant fast growing shrubs close to my house?

It depends on the mature size of the specific shrub. While they grow fast, you must always consider their *eventual* mature height and width. Planting too close can lead to issues with roots affecting foundations, branches scraping the house, or blocking windows. Aim to plant at least half of the shrub’s mature width away from structures.

What’s the best time to plant fast growing large shrubs?

The ideal times are usually spring or fall, when temperatures are mild. This allows the shrubs to establish their root systems without the stress of extreme heat or cold. If planting in summer, be prepared to water very diligently.

Are there any downsides to fast growing large shrubs?

While they offer many benefits, potential downsides include:

  • They can quickly outgrow their space if not chosen or maintained properly.
  • Some very aggressive growers (like Leyland Cypress) can become massive and require significant effort to manage.
  • Certain fast growers can be prone to weaker wood or more frequent pest/disease issues if not given optimal care.

Careful selection and consistent maintenance mitigate most of these potential problems.

Conclusion

There you have it, fellow green thumb! The world of fast growing large shrubs is brimming with possibilities, offering you the power to create a lush, established, and beautiful garden far quicker than you might have imagined. From providing much-needed privacy to adding stunning visual interest and supporting local wildlife, these garden workhorses are truly transformative.

Remember, the secret to success lies in thoughtful planning, proper planting, and consistent care. Choose the right shrub for your space, prepare its home well, water deeply, and prune with purpose. Don’t worry if you encounter a few bumps along the way – every gardener does! With the insights and tips shared in this guide, you’re now well-equipped to tackle any challenge and watch your garden flourish.

So, go forth with confidence, select your favorite speedy growers, and get ready to enjoy the immediate rewards of your efforts. Your dream garden is closer than you think. Happy planting!

Rimon Chowdhury
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