What Is the Fastest Growing Evergreen Hedge Plant?

Holly

• Evergreen hedges fall into one of two categories: broad-leaf and narrow-leaf. Broadleaf evergreen, like holly, provide year round green foliar cover and provide dense screens. There are over 400 different species and varieties within the holly (Ilex) genus. Some, like English holly, are slow growing while some Japanese and Chinese hollies grow rapidly. Some cultivars grow to heights of 30 feet or more while others achieve heights of 3 feet. Some hollies are deciduous but a wide range of types are evergreen. A hybrid between English and Chinese holly, the cultivar "Nellie R. Stevens" is an extremely fast growing evergreen holly hedge.

Boxwood

• Boxwoods are found in warm climate, formal garden settings. Often called colonial plants, these hedges have been in cultivation since colonial times in North America and for thousands of years before that in Egypt, the Mediterranean and other locations in Europe. Korean boxwood are classified as moderate growers, they grow between 2 and 3 feet per year. Others, like American boxwood, are slow growing. Some cultivars are small in stature while others reach heights up to 20 feet. These evergreen hedges grow well when planted in wide, shallow planting holes.

Other Hedges

• Even though these hedges are not as prolific as boxwood, or even holly, they are fast growing and worthy of consideration for your garden. Euonymus japonicus, or evergreen euonymus, is a medium to fast growing species that is used as a dense, low-lying shrub. Norway spruce is another fast growing evergreen. When planted in mass and kept pruned these rapidly growing evergreens are useful boundary markers and privacy screens. They are often found in formal settings as well as in residential gardens.

Considerations

• Even the fastest growing hedges lessen their growth rate when faced with inadequate growing conditions and poor maintenance. Encourage rapid growth by ensuring the soil is well aerated, and evenly moist to a depth of 12 inches. Plant evergreen shrubs in full to partial sun. Most evergreen hedges require severe pruning during establishment but will require only maintenance pruning once they mature.