18 Best Fast-Growing Shrubs That Quickly Transform Your Yard

Super-powered shrubs that will thrive in record time.

Whether you’re looking for a fast-growing shrub for privacy, an evergreen shrub that will provide year-round color in your yard, or a flowering shrub to bring a gorgeous display of blooms in the spring and summer, this roundup of enthusiastic growers will make your dreams a reality in no time. These shrub varieties range from true, low-lying varieties to small trees that can be shaped and pruned to suit your space.

For each plant variety, we’ve given hardiness zones, sun exposure needs, and other notable details that can help ensure you find a fast-growing shrub that’s well-suited for your needs and climate. And, as you’ll find, there’s a wide variety to choose from. Now let’s talk about growth. Each and every one of our picks clock in between 2 feet to more than 3 feet of growth per year.

If you’re looking to put your garden on the fast track, these 18 fast-growing shrubs will get you there in no time.

Crepe Myrtle

• Botanical Name: Lagerstroemia

• Sun Exposure: Full

• Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, clay

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9

• Growth Rate: 24 inches annually

While there are a variety of crepe myrtles to choose from, most fall within the shrub or small-tree category. They’re easy to grow and produce interest in the garden all year long, from long-lasting clusters of pink, white, or red blooms that start in June to their exfoliating bark in winter, the true calling card of this Southern classic. Expect lots of growth when given proper growing conditions. Plant where they'll receive full sun most of the day, and water every other week once established.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Crepe Myrtle

French Hydrangea

• Botanical Name: Hydrangea Macrophylla 

• Sun Exposure: Partial

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-9

• Growth Rate: 24 inches annually
  

The French hydrangea (also known as bigleaf hydrangea) is a showstopping shrub that produces profuse blooms in a colorful variety of mopheads or lacecaps in the summer. If you want the blooms to keep popping throughout the growing season, select a repeat-blooming variety that will flower on both old and new growth. Plant in well-draining soil amended with organic matter, and give them enough water so the top few inches of soil remain moist.

Related: How To Grow And Care For French Hydrangeas

North Privet

• Botanical Name: Ligustrum x ibolium

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

• Growth Rate: 3 feet per year
  

One of the fastest growing shrubs on this list, north privet matures rapidly to a height of up to 8 to 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide. Its appearance is characterized by a pyramid-like shape and glossy, dark green leaves. Plant this low-maintenance, fast grower as a privacy hedge. Pollinators are attracted to its fragrant white flowers. Beware of confusing north privet with its invasive cousin, Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense).

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Privet

Old-Fashioned Weigela

• Botanical Name: Weigela florida

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy, clay, sandy

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline (5.5-7.5)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9

• Growth Rate: 13-24 inches per year
  

While certainly not the fastest grower on this list, weigela shrubs are still a good choice for dense growth and relatively quick spread. They can reach their mature size within a few growing seasons. Bell-shaped, rosy pink flowers appear throughout April and May. Plant in full sun for the best foliage color, but Weigela also does well in dappled sunlight.

Forsythia

• Botanical Name: Forsythia x intermedia

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

With upright, sometimes arching branches and a cloud of yellow blooms that flower on last year’s wood, the forsythia is an iconic sight in the South. It will grow in a rounded shape and reach a height of 8 to 10 feet in maturity. If you’re looking for a smaller variety, opt for a more compact form like the Show Off® Sugar Baby®. Forsythia can handle some drought and tolerate clay soil if it is amended.

Beauty Bush

• Botanical Name: Linnaea amabilis (previously Kolkwitzia amabilis)

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, clay, loamy, sandy

• Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year 
  

Best suited for the Upper South, the beauty bush is beloved for its abundant pink flowers that attract bees and hummingbirds and complement the deep green foliage. It can be used as either a focal point in the garden or as a stunning hedge. When it reaches maturity, it can reach from 6 to 10 feet tall and wide. It is resistant to drought and deer, and tolerates clay soil. Full sun produces more flowering, but partial shade brings out more vibrant color in its foliage.

Chaste Tree

• Botanical Name: Vitex agnus-castus

• Sun Exposure: Full

• Soil Type: Well-drained

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

If you’re planting a chaste tree, just make sure these large, rounded shrubs have plenty of room to grow as they mature at 3 to 20 feet tall and wide. They feature grayish-green leaves and fragrant panicle blooms in shades of white, pink, blue, or lavender. Chaste trees need full sun and can grow in sandy or rocky areas since they are drought-tolerant once established. Pollinators love this plant.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Chaste Tree

Snowball Bush

• Botanical Name: Viburnum opulus

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full

• Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, clay, sandy

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline (5.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-8

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

While they might have blooms that look similar, don’t confuse viburnum with the mophead hydrangea. Viburnum opulus, the most recognizable of viburnum varieties, can grow up to 12 feet tall or more with a spread of 12 to 15 feet. They’re not extremely fast growers, but the clouds of flowers that appear in May are worth waiting for and make good cut flowers to enjoy indoors. In fall, their leaves turn red-orange. They prefer moist, loamy soil that is well-drained but can tolerate other soils.

‘Grosso’ Lavender

• Botanical Name: Lavandula × intermedia 'Grosso'

• Sun Exposure: Full

• Soil Type: Well-drained, sandy

• Soil pH: Alkaline (6.5-7.5)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

Not all lavender varieties are well-suited for the South, nor are all varieties as quick to spread as ‘grosso’ lavender. It features silver foliage and fragrant purple blooms. While mature ‘grosso’ lavender only reaches about 30 inches in height, it can spread up to 48 inches, making it a great option for an area where you need a swath of color—and quick. This large-growing lavender features dark blue flower spikes in summer and is good for drying and culinary uses. It doesn't do well in wet soil or shade but does tolerate cold and humid climates.

Related: How To Grow And Care For A Lavender Plant In The South

Cleyera Bigfoot™

• Botanical Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera 'Sotall'

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full sun

• Soil Type: Well-drained, rich

• Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-10

• Growth Rate: 18 inches per year
  

Cleyera Bigfoot™ is a favorite for hedges and privacy screens due to its fast-growing nature and appealing, glossy green foliage. They’re upright growers that are low-maintenance and provide year-round color thanks to their evergreen leaves. They will reach a height of 15 to 20 inches and 5 to 6 inches wide. In hotter climates, they need afternoon shade and can tolerate full shade.

Butterfly Bush

• Botanical Name: Buddleia 'Blue Chip' Lo and Beh

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Type: Well-drained, clay, loamy, sandy

• Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

If you’re looking to attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard and need a fast-growing shrub, you’ll find both in the butterfly bush. Fragrant, star-shaped flowers with a barely blue appearance in a clustered spike require no deadheading and provide a pretty counterpoint to dark green leaves. Plant in well-drained soil. Plant in an area where the shrub will get eight hours of full sun each day for more flower production and strong stems that don't require staking.

Related: How To Grow And Care For A Butterfly Bush

Beautyberry

• Botanical Name: Callicarpa americana

• Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy, clay

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (5.0-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10

• Growth Rate: 13-24 inches per year
  

Tiny, bright purple berries that appear in fall and winter and pale purple or pink flowers that burst forth in the summer months give this fast-growing shrub year-round appeal. They’ll attract a wide variety of winter birds and other wildlife to your yard throughout the season. If you’re looking to up the berry production, consider planting beautyberry en masse. Full sun will increase flower and berry production. They are relatively low maintenance, needing pruning to maintain shape and watering during dry periods.

Loropetalum

• Botanical Name: Loropetalum chinense

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full sun

• Soil Type: Well-drained, rich, loamy

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (4.0-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10

• Growth Rate: 6-24 inches per year
  

The evergreen shrub features green foliage on arching branches and spidery flowers that appear both at the top of shoots and between the shoot and leaf (known as the leaf axil) in color ranging from off-white to pink. Opt for loropetalum to bring color and texture to your garden early in the spring when other flowering shrubs haven’t yet begun their show. Water when there hasn't been adequate rainfall to keep the soil slightly moist, but don't overwater. They don't like wet roots.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Loropetalum

Cherry Laurel

• Botanical Name: Prunus laurocerasus

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full sun

• Soil Type: Well-drained

• Soil pH: Acidic, alkaline (5.5-7.5)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-10

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

Cherry laurel is a popular shrub in the South, oftentimes used for hedges. While it can grow up to 20 feet tall, it can be maintained in a smaller size if needed. Spiky, white flowers appear in mid-spring but can sometimes be hidden behind the glossy and elongated foliage. Black berries appear in the fall for an interesting encore. Cherry laurel isn't super picky and will tolerate dry, poor, and alkaline soils, salt, as well as heavy pruning. It is toxic to humans.

Fragrant Lilac

• Botanical Name: Syringa vulgaris

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full sun

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, loamy, sandy, clay

• Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline (6.5-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7

• Growth Rate: 13-24 per year
  

Fragrant lilac will start off as a fast grower, tapering off as it nears maturity. You might catch a whiff of lilac before you catch sight of its fragrant, lilac blooms that appear in April and May. While it’s always tempting to try lilac in warmer USDA zones, this variety isn’t suited for the humid conditions of the lower South. These shrubs prefer cooler summer temperatures. Full sun is best for good flower production, and well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot.

Red Twig Dogwood

• Botanical Name: Cornus sericea

• Sun Exposure: Partial, full sun

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, rich, clay

• Soil pH: Acidic (5.5-6.5)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-8

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year
  

Ideal for the Upper South, this dogwood that’s named for its red bark is the outlier in a family of otherwise slower-growing varieties. It’s a great choice both for its resiliency and versatility whether as a true shrub or hedge. Once mature, it will reach a height of 7 to 9 feet and 10 feet wide. This dogwood likes consistently moist areas and is found beside streams and ponds. Water during dry spells.

Related: How To Grow And Care For Flowering Dogwood

'Green Giant' Arborvitae

• Botanical Name: Thuja ‘Green Giant’

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, clay, loamy

• Soil pH: Neutral, alkaline (6.0-8.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8

• Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year

These shrubs live up to their name, maturing at up to 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide. They are low maintenance due to a uniform, pyramid-shaped growth habit and need little pruning. They can be shaped into a hedging or privacy screen when young. Glossy, scale-like needles remain green all winter long. Plant in a location that gets six to eight hours of sun with good drainage.

Spirea

• Botanical Name: Spirea spp.

• Sun Exposure: Full, partial

• Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, sandy, clay

• Soil pH: Acidic, neutral (6.0-7.0)

• USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-8

• Growth Rate: 24 inches per year

Spirea is easy to grow because it adapts to many different soil types, doesn’t require special care, and grows quickly. Give the shrub full sun, though it will also grow in some shade, and don’t let the soil get soggy. Pink or white flowers emerge from blue-green or chartreuse foliage that changes color in the fall. Prune after the spring bloom and enjoy a rebloom later in the summer.

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.