Amazing Fast Growing Shrubs to Transform Your Garden Quickly
Fast growing shrubs are a gardener’s secret weapon for instant beauty, privacy, and structure in the landscape. They quickly fill bare spaces, create natural hedges, and add color with flowers and foliage. Whether you want to design a lush backdrop or enhance your home’s curb appeal, these shrubs are practical, low-maintenance, and rewarding. Here are twelve amazing fast growing shrubs that can upgrade your garden in no time.
1. Forsythia Shrubs
Forsythias are among the first plants to bloom in spring, producing bright yellow flowers before their leaves emerge. They grow quickly and make excellent hedges or borders. Their cheerful blooms bring life and color after winter’s gray.
Pro Tip: Prune right after flowering to encourage healthy growth and maintain shape.
2. Hydrangeas
Known for their large, colorful blooms, hydrangeas can thrive in many climates. Their fast growth makes them ideal for filling garden beds or framing entrances. The flowers change colors depending on soil pH, adding a fun twist.
Pro Tip: Plant in partial shade and water regularly for the most vibrant blooms.
3. Butterfly Bush (Buddleia)
This fast growing shrub attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with fragrant, cone-shaped blooms. It adds vibrant color to gardens from summer through fall. Its quick spread makes it a great choice for filling open spaces.
Pro Tip: Deadhead faded flowers to extend the blooming season.
4. Lilac Shrubs
Lilacs are famous for their sweet fragrance and beautiful clusters of purple, white, or pink flowers. They grow quickly and serve as excellent screening shrubs. Their springtime blooms also make lovely cut flowers.
Pro Tip: Plant lilacs in full sun to maximize flower production.
5. Spirea
Spirea shrubs are low-maintenance, fast growers that bloom with delicate clusters of white, pink, or red flowers. Their foliage also changes color with the seasons, adding year-round interest. They adapt easily to different soil types.
Pro Tip: Cut back after flowering to encourage dense, healthy regrowth.
6. Weigela
Weigela is a hardy shrub that grows quickly and produces trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink and red. It attracts pollinators and works well in borders or as a focal plant. Its arching branches add elegant movement to gardens.
Pro Tip: Fertilize in spring to promote abundant blooms.
7. Viburnum
Viburnums are versatile shrubs that provide fast growth, fragrant flowers, and vibrant berries. They come in many varieties, making them suitable for hedges, screens, or standalone features. They also attract birds and pollinators.
Pro Tip: Choose a variety suited to your climate for best results.
8. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
This shrub delivers large, tropical-looking flowers throughout the summer. It’s a fast grower that thrives in sunny spots and adds exotic charm to gardens. It can also be trained into a small tree for variety.
Pro Tip: Mulch around the base to retain moisture during hot months.
9. Mock Orange (Philadelphus)
Mock orange shrubs produce fragrant, white blossoms that resemble orange blossoms. Their fast growth makes them perfect for hedges or standalone features. Their citrus-like scent fills the garden in late spring.
Pro Tip: Prune right after blooming to shape the shrub and encourage new growth.
10. Red Twig Dogwood
This fast growing shrub is known for its vibrant red stems that shine in winter landscapes. In spring and summer, it offers green foliage and white flowers. It’s ideal for adding year-round interest to your garden.
Pro Tip: Cut back older stems to promote brighter red new growth.
11. Azaleas
Azaleas grow quickly and brighten gardens with stunning blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and purple. They thrive in acidic soil and partial shade, adding bold color to shaded corners. Their dense growth makes them useful as borders.
Pro Tip: Water consistently during dry spells to keep blooms healthy.
12. Privet Shrubs
Privets are classic choices for fast growing hedges and privacy screens. Their dense foliage provides an elegant backdrop for gardens. With regular trimming, they maintain a neat, polished look.
Pro Tip: Trim frequently to encourage fuller and thicker growth.
Conclusion
Fast growing shrubs are the perfect solution for gardeners who want quick results without waiting years for growth. From colorful hydrangeas and lilacs to hardy privets and viburnums, these shrubs provide beauty, privacy, and structure. With the right selection and care, you can transform your outdoor space into a lush, inviting retreat in no time.
