Rapid Growth Bushes

Evergreen Bushes

• One of the fastest-growing evergreen shrubs is the Japanese Privet, which grows 2 feet or more each year. It has a compact growth habit and can reach 10 feet high and 5 or 6 feet wide. Plant the privet as a hedge or screen. It can grow in full sun or part shade and is tolerant to a range of environmental conditions. To control the privet's growth for use as a hedge, prune extensively for the first two seasons after planting. Remove one-third to half of the height each time and continuously cut back stems as they grow.

Deciduous Bushes

• Redosier dogwood is a rapid-growth shrub that reaches 9 feet high and 9 feet tall when mature. It has a broad-spreading, round and multi-stemmed growth habit. Redosier dogwood is often used to reestablish vegetation in disturbed landscapes because of its fast growth. Its extensive root system makes it an ideal soil stabilizer.

  Another fast-growing deciduous bush is the ninebark. This plant is drought-resistant and tolerant of a range of conditions. It can easily outgrow its space in a short time and is generally very useful for landscaping.

Ornamental Bushes

• Forsythia is a beautiful, spring-flowering shrub that requires a lot of work to maintain. It grows rapidly to 6 to 7 feet tall and 8 to 10 feet wide. Annual pruning prevents overcrowding of branches. Forsythias add attractive yellow flowers to a landscape but due to their size and fast growth, its best to plant them away from a house. Allow plenty of space around the plant, or pruning will be necessary. Prune after bloom time in late spring, removing at least one-third of low-lying, old stems.

Fast-Growing Trees

• Many trees can function like large shrubs if pruned accordingly. The Leyland cypress grows 3 to 4 feet per year, eventually reaching a height of 50 feet if not pruned. To use as a hedge, windbreak or screen, trim extensively. If left untrimmed, it will grow into an oval or pyramidal shape. Extensive pruning will not harm the tree and it can even recover from removal of as much as half of its top.