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Whether you decide to grow your hedge plants as a focal point for your garden or some privacy, waiting for these green hedge plants to grow can take a long time.
Factors such as the type of hedge, variety of soil types and environment can all impact the growth of your hedge, but on average, a fast-growing hedge will take around five years to reach its full size when cared for with the right conditions.
To find out how long classic fast-growing hedge types will take to grow, as well as some tips and tricks for having an excellent fast-growing hedge, we have composed a short article below.
For hedges to grow fast seasons after planting they need to be planted in the most ideal conditions, a durable fast-growing hedge will need natural light during the summer months, ample water with drained soil holes to prevent drowning the plant and pruning when needed.
Pruning your hedge at the ideal time a couple of inches off can encourage the growth of the bush. You will also need to protect your hedge from weeds which can disrupt growth and other pests.
We have summarised the points for helping your hedge dense growth rate below -
If you don't want to wait a long time for your hedge to grow, then you can speed up the process by choosing some fast-growing hedge types, these types of hedges have a fast growth rate without too much interference needed, making them great options for privacy hedges.
We have listed out the best types of fast-growing hedges below and their growth rate to help you decide which type of hedge is right for you.
The English Laurel also known as a Cherry Laurel is one of the fastest-growing hedges out there, this dense hedge is highly drought tolerant and can grow up to 60cm per year. It also needs pruning up to three times a year and can help get rid of pests in your garden.
It should be noted that this type of hedge however is poisonous.
If you are looking for a good-looking privacy hedge to grow in your garden, then the Portuguese Laurel might be a great option, not only does the thickness of this hedge act as privacy screens but it is also pest and drought-tolerant as well as easy to grow.
On average, the Portuguese Laurel can grow up to 45cm a year when cared for right.
Next up we have the Schip Laurel hedges, these types of hedges can grow in either full sun or shade depending on your environment and can also grow in different soil types.
If your looking to cover an entire fence in your hedge type then this Schip Laurel would be a great choice, it can grow up to 30-60cm in a year depending on how they are cared for.
Leylandii individual hedge plants can grow up to 90cm in a year and are an enormous fast-growing hedge to choose if you are looking for a hedge for privacy purposes.
These hedges also need very little maintenance.
Privet hedges are a little less popular than the traditional Laurels and Leylandii but are a great fast-growing choice and good-looking hedge for a focal point in your garden or as a handsome privacy hedge. They can on average grow 30-60cm a year.
Even though choosing a fast-growing hedge type is a great start, planting it the right way is also vital to encourage the growth of the hedge in a short amount of time.
We have listed some tips for planting your fast-growing hedge below so as you can get your privacy fence in no time.
When picking your fast-growing hedge you should ensure that it corresponds with the conditions of your garden, for example, some hedges might need to be planted with the full sun while others can survive in shade.
Mature hedges are also much easier to start with when planting and can speed up the growing time of your privacy fence in your garden considerably.
It's best to avoid planting your hedge in the height of summer due to lack of water, just after summer tends to be the best for a deciduous hedge, you should avoid planting your hedge completely in winter if you live in an area with frost as this can ruin growth to plants.
Before planting your quick-growing hedge you should make sure to prepare the soil well first, preparing a fence from animals and protecting your hedge from weeds is vital for its growth at least six weeks before you plant your box hedges or container hedges.
Depending on your type of hedge you need to ensure that they are spaced out appropriately, for hedges like the popular choice Privet type they should be planted closer together (around 4 plants per metre) so as they can grow as an effective privacy screen.
For the English Laurel, on the other hand, these hedge plants can be planted with more space in between them and will still grow into a thick hedge eventually.
During the first two years of planting your hedge, you should ensure that you are watering them well, after the first two years you can typically get away without watering the common Laurel and letting the rain do its job instead.
When you first plant your hedge, giving it some plant food and fertiliser can help encourage growth during the first few years.
Pruning your hedge during the first few years of its life is essential for helping it grow fast and stay neat, not only does it make the hedge stronger but it prevents any new shoots from freezing during the wintertime from frost.
If you have followed the tips above yet your hedge is still not growing well, then you might have a few issues worth troubleshooting below to see if they can help bring your hedge back to life.
What is the difference between Evergreen and Deciduous hedge plants?
Deciduous shrubs are more heavy-duty than Evergreen hedges but lose their leaves during the winter, while a fast-growing Evergreen hedge on the other hand gives privacy all year round but will need a lot of care and attention.
Will a clipped hedge help with growth?
Yes, clipping your hedge whether it is Evergreen hedging or Laurels will encourage growth during the first couple of years.
Are Evergreen fast-growing hedges?
Evergreen shrubs are very fast-growing and are one of the best choices for privacy hedging on the market.
What are ideal hedge shapes for green fence privacy?
You should choose a hedge type with large leaves such as the green giant arborvitae hedge, hedge sizes with feathery foilage are also a great option for added thickness.
How can I protect my green fence from animals?
Some hedge types such as the English Laurel and Portuguese Laurel are naturally pest repellent, you should also make sure that your fence strength is durable enough.
Overall, to round up our hedge growing article, buying a fast-growing hedge type can help you grow your plant much quicker than a standard type, by following the tips above and creating a good environment for your hedges you can also help promote fast growth.
Always ensure you prepare the soil right for your hedges and ensure there are enough feet between trees when planting your hedges so as they grow correctly and as thick as you would like.