Canadian Fast Growing Hedges & Shrubs

Hedges provide borders and privacy screens in your yard. Single shrubs provide accents and decoration. The most populated areas in Canada range from zones two to zone six for planting. Because of the shorter growing season, you will want to plant fast-growing hedges and shrubs in your Canadian landscape.

The rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa) quickly becomes 4 to 6 feet high. Light green leaves turn yellow in the fall before dropping, and fragrant white or pink flowers bloom in early June through early autumn. Plant these fast-growing shrubs as hedges or as foundation plantings. They need full sun and well-drained soil.

The alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) grows into a dense mound about 6 feet high. This bright green low shrub produces unimportant greenish yellow flowers in early spring and red berries in July. The value of the plant is decorative as the fruit is sparse and seldom used. The alpine currant tolerates some shade but prefers full sun. Because you can prune it at any time of year, you can easily shape it for hedges or groupings in your Canadian landscape.

The glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) will grow quickly to 15 feet high. The dark green leaves turn yellow in the fall, before falling off. It produces insignificant pale green flowers in May and then red berries that attract birds and wildlife. This shrub prefers full sun and will thrive in any kind of soil.

Redosier dogwood, (Cornus sericea) a fast-growing shrub hardy to zone two, will grow up to 10 feet tall. This shrub will grow in moist or even wet areas and prefers partial or full sun. The white flowers bloom in late May, and then form white berries. Dark green leaves turn bronze red in fall. The white fruit against the red stems offer winter color and interest in the Canadian yard. Plant these in a row to form privacy-screening hedges or borders.

Rocky mountain maple (Acer glabrum) usually becomes a multi-trunked shrub about 6 feet high, although it can become up to 15 feet high. To maintain a preferred height you may need to prune it. The bright green leaves turn orange in the fall before dropping, adding color to your yard. This large shrub prefers full sun and will thrive in most soils. You can harvest young shoots and eat them like asparagus, according to Utah State University.

The fast-growing Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia aquifolium) grows to 6 feet tall in warmer areas of Canada, as it is hardy only to zone three. It produces yellow flowers in April and May. The dark evergreen leaves change to red or bronze in the fall. This shrub is native to British Columbia, according to the University of Connecticut. It prefers partial shade and moist, organic soil.