21 Top Fast Growing Shrubs for Landscaping

by Jennifer Poindexter

Are you in the market for shrubs that will grow fast? You came to the right place. There are many options which fall into this category, and I’m going to walk you through them.

Whether you need fast landscaping or a shrub which will provide privacy between you and your neighbors, there’s surely something on the following list to fit your needs. If you need large shrubs in a hurry, here are a few varieties you don’t want to miss.

1. Forsythia

The forsythia bush is a staple in shrubbery. This shrub grows well in planting zones five through eight and requires full to partial shade.

Plus, it must be planted where the soil is loose and well-draining. If you can meet each of these needs, you should be able to enjoy vibrant yellow blooms that will light up the entire bush.

2. Beautyberry

The beauty of this bush is so astonishing, it’s included in the name. The beautyberry bush produces colorful berries during the fall.

However, it’ll need to be pruned heavily each spring. This shrub needs full to partial shade and grows well in planting zones five through seven. It also requires moist soil that’s full of nutrients.

3. Crape Myrtle

If you grew up in the south, you’re familiar with crape myrtle (also spelled crepe myrtle). This shrub grows well in planting zones six through ten.

Plus, these bushes need full sun. This equates to approximately six hours of sunlight each day. If adequate lighting isn’t provided, the bush won’t bloom with as much intensity.

4. Azaleas

Azaleas are another common bush which grows quickly and provides a splash of color to most landscapes.

These bushes grow best in planting zones six through nine. They like partial shade, as too much heat tends to put a great deal of stress on them. They also like well-draining soil which is high in acid.

5. Lilac

Lilacs are another classic shrub. They’ve been a garden-favorite for many years because of their ability to grow quickly and produce beauty. They’re known for their cone-shaped blooms which also produce a pleasant scent.

If you live in planting zones three through seven, you might want to consider this shrub. Keep in mind, they’ll need a grow space which has sandy soil and receives full sunlight.

6. Cotoneaster

This shrub might be one many would overlook because of its harsh exterior. Cotoneaster has a sturdy shape and branches which mound away from the base of the plant. However, things begin to soften once the cheerful red berries are produced. 

If you’d like this style of shrub in your landscaping, you can have it as long as you live in planting zones five through seven, have a growing location which receives full sun, and consists of sandy, well-draining soil which remains consistently moist.

7. Burning Bush

Burning bush is considered an invasive species of shrub. If you choose this fast-growing shrub, be sure to plant with caution. It grows well in planting zones four through eight, requires full sun, and prefers sandy soil.

What makes many people want to grow this shrub, in spite of it being labeled invasive, is the entire bush turns a vibrant red in the fall. It also produces orange colored berries simultaneously. If you’re looking for a gorgeous display of color in a bush which also grows quickly, this could be the shrub for you.

8. Cherry Laurel

Do you live in a warmer climate? Cherry laurel could be the bush you’ve been searching for. This shrub prefers a warmer climate and can grow as much as three feet each year.

Another thing which makes this bush a fan-favorite is it has evergreen foliage and produces white flowers, in clusters, during the spring. The shrub does require full to partial shade and needs rich soil that’s well-draining. If you need a shrub which will put on a show, the cherry laurel could be right up your alley.

9. Amur Maple

This is another shrub which is fast growing. It can grow as much as two feet in a single year. If you’re in need of a living privacy fence, or a windbreak, this could be for you.

Keep in mind, the amur maple does best in planting zones three through eight. It prefers full to partial sunlight and doesn’t need fancy dirt. It tends to grow best in clay or sandy soil. However, it must drain well.

10. Privet

Some people are intimidated by shrubs because of the pruning process. The privet shrub is not only fast growing, but it’s also very easy to prune.

If you need a shrub that will produce color, is low-maintenance, and for planting zones five through eight, this could be it. Privet will produce flowers, but they fade into berries over winter which provides a dash of color year-round.

11. Loropetalum

I’m not sure about you, but I love to include things in my landscaping which are different than what everyone else has. If you feel the same, this shrub deserves your attention. The Loropetalum shrub has green foliage and colorful blooms which have a leggy appearance.

It does well in planting zones seven through ten, needs full to partial shade, and has soil specifics which must be met. This shrub likes soil that’s sandy, acidic, high in nutrients, but drains well. If you can supply these needs, this shrub could be for you.

12. Yew

I love plants that aren’t fussy. The yew shrub falls into this category. Not only is it fast growing, but it also isn’t picky about growing conditions. It does well in planting zones two through ten.

Plus, it can grow well in full sun or full shade. This will vary depending upon the variety you choose. The only requirement true for all varieties is they need well-draining soil. This shrub also produces colorful berries. Be mindful not to eat them because they’re toxic.

13. Red Twig Dogwood

This dogwood shrub is one which catches the attention of most who pass by it. What draws the eye is the bark of this plant. As its name suggests, the bark is red.

If you’d like a statement shrub in your landscaping, consider this one. It grows well in planting zones three through eight and prefers full to partial shade. The shrub should be planted in well-draining soil which has a high nutrient content.

14. Mock Orange

This plant’s name describes it perfectly. To begin, the bush isn’t orange. Yet, the white blooms it produces have an orange scent.

If you’d like a shrub that’s fast growing and smells good, too, you can grow this shrub in planting zones four through eight. It likes sandy, well-draining soil, and should be planted in full to partial shade.

15. Hydrangea

I love hydrangeas. It was the flower I used in my wedding. If you love this shrub, too, you should consider growing them. The shrubs become larger and produce a variety of colors during certain parts of the year.

These shrubs can be grown in planting zones three through seven. When they bloom in the spring, they might last until summer or fall. Plus, they have vibrant green foliage. Hydrangeas could be the center of your landscape if you live in the right planting zone.

16. Knockout Roses

I’m a huge fan of knockout rose bushes. They come in a multitude of colors, grow quickly, and are low-maintenance.

If you need a way to brighten up your landscape, consider this shrub. They do well in planting zones five through nine. The growing conditions are basic as they only need full sun and well-draining soil.

17. Leyland Cypress

This shrub is somewhat of a hybrid. It’s a mix of Alaskan cedar and Monterey cypress. It can grow as much as three feet per year. Obviously, it would be another great option for creating privacy or supplying a windbreak.

You can grow this shrub in planting zones six through ten. Be sure your growing location has full to partial sunlight. The plant also prefers clay or sandy soil. If you need a low-maintenance shrub which grows quickly, Leyland cypress could be for you.

18. Thuja

I’m a huge fan of thujas. They’re fast growing, low maintenance, supply ample privacy, and also serve as a windbreak. Depending upon what your needs are, there’s likely a variety of thuja which will work for you because different varieties reach different heights.

The only thing which remains consistent for thujas are that they grow well in planting zones two through eight. They need full to partial shade, well-draining soil, and loamy soil which remains consistently moist.

19. Diablo Ninebark

Anytime bark is included in the name of a shrub, you should probably take notice. This shrub produces a unique bark and dark leaves which almost appear black. This would definitely stand out in most landscapes.

If you’d like this unique shrub, you can grow it in planting zones two through seven. It does require full to partial shade and prefers clay or sandy soil.

20. Canadian Hemlock

The Canadian hemlock is a shrub which grows quickly and is great for privacy. Hemlocks frequently get a bad reputation because people assume every variety is poisonous. This is not the case, and this shrub isn’t poisonous.

However, it’s an easy shrub to grow. It does well in planting zones three through seven, prefers partial shade, and needs consistently moist soil that’s also high in nutrient content. By providing these things, this shrub should grow well for you.

21. Pussy Willow

Our last fast-growing shrub is the pussy willow. It gets its name because of the white plumes the bush produces. They resemble a cat’s tail. The white plumes will begin producing in early spring.

If you’d like an early display of color and texture, in planting zones four through eight, this shrub could be for you. It must be planted where it’ll receive full to partial shade and sandy soil that’s high in nutrient content.

This rounds out our list of fast growing shrubs which could be great in a variety of landscapes. Whether you need natural privacy, a windbreak, or a display of color, these shrubs might be able to help.

Hopefully, this list will inspire your future landscape and make your home a welcoming place for you, your family, and future guests.

More About Fast Growing Shrubs

https://extension.psu.edu/pussy-willow-a-valuable-native-plant

https://www.uky.edu/hort/Canadian-Hemlock

Loropetalum