If you are looking at establishing a new garden, or creating a little privacy, then fast growing plants, including trees and shrubs can be incorporated into the landscaping scheme.
With many varieties or species fast growing evergreen trees and shrubs available for creating a screen or private area in the garden the choice is sometimes difficult. We provide a guide to some of the best fast growing species for for privacy and screening.
Fast growing Trees and shrubs
Used at the rear of the garden border, as a screen from the street and along fence lines to create privacy from neighbours fast growing evergreen trees or shrubs are an ideal barrier and also help reduce noise levels.
Our ‘Quick List of fast growing trees and shrubs is :
Of the Australian Native Plants, Lily Pillies are a very popular fast growing variety, dense foliage, easy to prune to shape and fairly drought tolerant one established.
- The evergreen Magnolias such as Magnolia Little Gem, Magnolia Kay Parris and Magnolia Teddy Bear are all fast. Be aware that growth rates differ greatly depending on climate and soil conditions, in warmer conditions Magnolia Grandiflora species and cultivars will be faster to establish and form a screen than in cooler climates.
- Michelia species and cultivars such as Michelia Doltsopa and the shrub Michelia yunnanensis also make screening plants and have a reasonably rapid growth rate.
- One of the most popular Conifers widely used as a screening tree is Cupressocyparis leylandii Leightons Green
- Oleander is a tough screening tree that handles a wide range of conditions.
- Photina species and cultivars such as Photina x fraseri ‘Robusta’ are also quick growing, dense and have attractive foliage.
- Pittosporum tenuifolium are a tall growing screening shrub to small tree easily pruned to maintain shape and will reach 3m plus after 5years depending on conditions and cultivar.
- Viburnums are another fast growing shrub complete with fragrant flowers in spring, again it will form a dense screen.
- Callistemons, Banksias and Backhousia can all be used as screening trees and once established will grow reasonably quickly.
- Fraxinus griffithii, drought tolerant and fast growing, excellent street tree also used in parks and gardens.
Not so fast but excellent in the right position
- Camellias are not the fasted growers, however they do make a good screen, well worth the wait, dense foliage, great flowers, easy care and nice glossy foliage.
- Prunus lusitanica (Portugal Laurel) is slow at first however it does make an excellent medium to large hedge or small tree.