Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
Fastest-Growing Informal Hedges
Fastest-Growing Informal Hedges. Growing a hedge does not have to be a 10-year project. If you want a hedge in a hurry, select a fast-growing informal hedge, one that produces five or more inches of new growth each year. Informal hedges, which tend to require little pruning, are usually composed of plants with larger leaves that grow wider than...
Growing a hedge does not have to be a 10-year project. If you want a hedge in a hurry, select a fast-growing informal hedge, one that produces five or more inches of new growth each year. Informal hedges, which tend to require little pruning, are usually composed of plants with larger leaves that grow wider than formal hedge plants. Informal hedges, often selected for interesting flowers or fruit, may be quite ornamental.
Wax Myrtle
A wax myrtle may grow up to five feet in height and width in a single growing season, making it among the fastest-growing hedge plants. This durable plant is a broadleaf evergreen with inconspicuous flowers. Clusters of grayish white berries, which are an eighth-inch in diameter, appear in late summer. A wax myrtle plant is either male or female. Only the females produce fruit.
Northern Bayberry
The northern bayberry, a deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub, also tops the fast-growing list. This bayberry has shiny dark green leaves, while its silvery gray berries provide winter interest. It is related to the wax myrtle, though more tolerant of cold. The northern bayberry grows at a rate of 12 to 18 inches per year with a mature height of about 9 feet and similar width.
Forsythias
With its early flowers appearing even before leaves emerge, the forsythia offers cheery bursts of yellow announcing spring's arrival. Flowers last 10-14 days and are followed by medium to dark green leaves. Mature forsythias may be 8 to 10 feet tall. Though forsythias are fast and easy-growing, they do require some pruning. The University of Iowa recommends pruning a mature shrub by cutting a third to a fourth of the largest stems to ground level every other year.
Clavey's Dwarf Honeysuckle
A broad, dense plant with medium green leaves, Clavey's Dwarf Honeysuckle is another fast grower. This honeysuckle grows to about five feet. It produces white flowers in spring followed by bright red berries, which attract wildlife.
Chinese Lilac
Several characteristics make the Chinese lilac suitable for informal hedges: fast growing, compact, low-maintenance, and nonsuckering. This variety of lilac has large clusters of fragrant lavender or purple flowers. It grows to a height of 10 feet.
