Fast-Growing Hedges for Hills

Evergreens

• Evergreen hedges are ideal for a year-round barrier that blocks noise, unsightly views, creates privacy and blocks the wind. Evergreen hedges that grow on a hill where wind is frequently a problem need to be particularly hardy and strong. Although conifer hedges that grow more than 3 feet in 1 year, such as leylandii cypress, juniper and cedar, can be used, many other fast-growing evergreen shrubs quickly create an attractive hedge. Boxwood, privet, barberry and holly are moderately fast growing and grow in natural form or trimmed to a formal presentation.

Deciduous

• If year-round thick screening is not necessary or needed, deciduous shrubs make a suitable hedge for hills. Many deciduous shrubberies displays colored, artistic, bare branches during the winter months. With red stems and branches during the winter, white spring flowers and fall fruit berries, dogwood shrubs are a favorite fast-growing hedge shrub, reaching its height within 2 to 3 years. Pacific ninebark has a maple-shaped leaf, is an aggressive grower and tolerates a variety of growing conditions. Blackhaw viburnum shrubs have a dense twig winter appearance with attractive blue-purple, fall berries that last into winter. It is an easy-to-grow, very tolerating hedge bush that has the added attraction of benefiting birds, butterflies and wildlife.

Flowering

• Hedge shrubs that burst into color from abundant flowers change the appearance of a hill and landscape. Lilac shrubs are fast growing, making an effective screen within 4 years and have fragrant blooming flower clusters in the spring with hybrid varieties reblooming in late summer. Forsythia, quince and spirea shrubs are also spring blooming, thick foliage plants that grow fast and well on hills. The Filli and Dazzle series of crape myrtles grow in a shrub form and bloom throughout the summer, as will shrub rose and butterfly bush.

Low Growing

• When a hedge grows on a hill, it does not always need to be tall when lower-growing plants can be used. Lavender, sage and rosemary are hardy, fast-growing, lush foliage herb bushes that create fragrant, attractive low growing hedges in 2 to 3 years. Hydrangeas, deutzia, weigela and potentilla reach heights of less than 4 feet, fill in quickly and will bloom throughout the summer for a colorful hill hedge.