8 Fast-Growing Evergreen Shrubs That’ll Brighten Up Your Garden All Year Round
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Evergreen bushes may have a slow-growing reputation, but there are definitely some varieties that grow faster if you’re looking for all-season interest and something that’ll fill in the gaps of your landscaping. And bonus: Several of them offer unique berries or blooms in the late fall to early spring timeframe, so you can brighten up the dullest months of your gardening year.
To get the gorgeousness started, follow the tips below to choose the perfect evergreen shrub for your particular needs, and get ready to enjoy a little wow factor in your landscaping all year long.
- Megan McConnell, plant information director at Monrovia
- Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen
Tips for Choosing Fast-Growing Shrubs—and Helping Them Thrive
Avoid dwarf varieties
If you’re looking for a fast-growing evergreen shrub, you probably are hoping to fill in a bare spot—which means that a dwarf variety isn’t the best choice. Dwarf varieties tend to grow more slowly, says Megan McConnell, plant information director at Monrovia.
Keep the final size in mind
When you’re choosing a fast-growing evergreen shrub, do a little research to ensure you’re leaving enough room for the bush to reach its full potential. “Fast growers often grow very large,” McConnell says.
Mulch well
“A layer of mulch will help retain soil moisture, insulate the soil from temperature swings, and suppress weeds that would otherwise compete with your young plants for resources,” says Kevin Lenhart, design director at Yardzen.
While bark and other traditional mulches are great, you can also use groundcover plants in place of mulch, as they provide both beauty and moisture retention, Lenhart says.
Fertilize appropriately
“Fertilize every spring with slow-release fertilizer,” McConnell says. That’ll help ensure that the plants thrive.
Water deeply, but infrequently
“This encourages their root systems to develop more robustly, setting them up for better toleration of drought or other adverse conditions down the road,” Lenhart says.
Southern Wax Myrtle
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If you’re looking for a fast-growing evergreen, wax myrtle (also known as bayberry) may be a great pick. “In the right conditions, wax myrtle can grow between 3 and 5 feet in a year, making it an excellent option for privacy screens and large hedges,” Lenhart says. It’s a native plant of the Southeast, and can adapt to many different sun and soil conditions.
- Growing zones: 6 to 10
- Growth rate: Up to 5 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 25 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Camellia
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Evergreen doesn’t have to equal spiky needle-like foliage. McConnell recommends camellia shrubs, which boast vibrant dark green foliage year round and gorgeous flowers in the late fall through early spring, depending on the variety.
- Growing zones: 6 to 10
- Growth rate: 12 inches per year
- Final size: Up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Light requirements: Partial to full shade
Cherry Laurel
Cherry laurel has a lot to offer for your landscaping, with its fragrant spring flowers and bright green foliage. “It’s a great option for a low-maintenance privacy screen,” Lenhart says.
- Growing zones: 7 to 10
- Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 30 feet tall and 25 feet wide
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Holly
While some species of holly are slower growers, if you choose the right variety, you can expect fast growth. McConnell recommends Emerald Colonnade holly, which can grow up to 12 feet tall and offers cream-colored berries to offset its green foliage. Nellie Stevens holly, which can grow up to 3 feet per year, is another evergreen option.
- Growing zones: 5 to 9
- Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 50 feet tall and 15 feet wide, depending on the varietal
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Texas Sage
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For drier climates and drought-resistant evergreens, you can’t go wrong with Texas sage. “As a desert native, it can tolerate sun, heat, and drought,” Lenhart says. Its pretty silver foliage is highlighted with bright magenta flowers.
- Growing zones: 8 to 10
- Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Euonymus
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Euonymus shrubs are fast growers—and McConnell recommends the Silver King variety in particular, which has silvery, variegated leaves. It’s also a smaller shrub—Silver King only reaches 6 feet tall.
- Growing zones: 6 to 9
- Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
Ligustrum
Ligustrum (aka, privets) is an easy-care evergreen bush that’ll fill in your garden quickly. Make sure it has well-drained soil to help it thrive.
- Growing zones: 3 to 8
- Growth rate: Up to 2 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide
- Light requirements: Partial to full shade
Green Giant Arborvitae
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A favorite for privacy lovers, the Green Giant arborvitae fills in your landscape quickly—growing up to 3 feet a year, Lenhart says. “It’s more tolerant of different soil types than other arborvitae. It’s big, lush, and evergreen, making it a great option to develop a windbreak or privacy screen in a hurry.”
- Growing zones: 5 to 8
- Growth rate: Up to 3 feet per year
- Final size: Up to 60 feet tall and 18 feet wide
- Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade
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