The Fastest-Growing Trees, Shrubs, & Perennials for a Thriving Landscape
Many homeowners and gardeners prioritize creating a lush, vibrant landscape quickly. Whether you’re looking to fill in a new garden, establish privacy, or simply enjoy rapid growth, choosing the right fast-growing trees, shrubs, and perennials is key. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best options for a landscape that flourishes in record time.
Fastest-Growing Trees for Quick Shade and Structure
1. Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
Known for its rapid growth, Leyland Cypress is a popular choice for creating natural privacy screens and windbreaks. This evergreen tree can grow up to 3 to 5 feet per year, quickly filling spaces with dense, feathery foliage. Its tall, slender shape makes it perfect for hedges and borders, providing both beauty and function in the landscape.
2. Autumn Blaze Maple (Acer freemanii ‘jeffersred’)
The Autumn Blaze Maple is an excellent option if you’re looking for a fast-growing shade tree. With a 3 to 5-foot growth rate annually, this tree quickly establishes a large canopy, offering relief from the summer sun. Its bright red fall leaves add visual interest, and its rapid growth makes it ideal for filling in large spaces in the landscape.
3. Forest Pansy Redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’)
The Forest Pansy Redbud is a fast-growing deciduous tree that adds beauty and speed to your landscape. It grows up to 2 feet per year and is known for its stunning pink blossoms that appear in early spring. This tree is perfect for adding color and structure to your garden, and its heart-shaped maroon-colored leaves provide unique color throughout the growing season.
4. Red Rocket Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica 'Whit IV')
This striking ornamental tree is known for its vibrant red blooms and rapid growth. This deciduous tree can reach heights of up to 20 to 30 feet, making it an excellent choice for adding vertical interest and bold color to any landscape. The Red Rocket Crape Myrtle is particularly valued for its long-lasting flowers, which appear in mid to late summer and persist into early fall, creating a stunning display against its deep green foliage. Its rapid growth and low maintenance make the Red Rocket Crape Myrtle a popular choice for gardeners looking to add a splash of color to their outdoor spaces.
Fastest-Growing Shrubs for Immediate Impact
1. Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle')
The Annabelle Hydrangea is a popular and reliable choice for gardeners seeking a lush, low-maintenance addition to their landscape. Known for its large, round clusters of pure white flowers that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter, this beauty blooms from early summer through fall. Annabelle Hydrangea has a rapid growth rate; it can quickly fill in garden spaces, making it an excellent option for creating a full, vibrant look within a short period.
2. Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens)
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is a vibrant, evergreen vine celebrated for its bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in late winter to early spring, bringing a splash of color when most other plants are still dormant. This plant is prized not only for its beauty but also for its fast-growing nature, quickly covering trellises, arbors, or fences with its twining stems. Carolina Jessamine can grow up to 20 feet in length and is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create a lush, flowering backdrop or to soften the appearance of structures in the landscape.
3. Red Tip Photinia (Photinia x fraseri)
Red Tip Photinia (Photinia × fraseri) is a popular evergreen privacy shrub known for its striking red new growth that gradually matures to glossy green, providing year-round interest in the garden. This plant is particularly valued for its fast-growing qualities, often adding up to 2-3 feet of new growth each year, making it an excellent choice for hedges, privacy screens, or as a bold backdrop in landscape design. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Red Tip Photinia is also relatively low-maintenance. It adapts well to various soil conditions and climates, making it a versatile and dynamic addition to many gardens.
Fastest-Growing Perennials for Color and Texture
1. Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia)
Russian Sage is an excellent choice for a fast-growing perennial that adds color and texture. This hardy perennial can grow up to 3 feet in one season, producing tall spikes of lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators. Its silvery foliage and drought tolerance make it a versatile addition to any garden.
2. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida 'Goldsturm')
Black-Eyed Susan is a fast-growing perennial perfect for adding a splash of color to your landscape. This cheerful plant grows quickly, often blooming in its first season with bright yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center. It’s an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant that thrives in a variety of soil conditions, making it a reliable choice for a quick splash of color.
3. Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)
Pink Muhly Grass is a popular ornamental grass known for its airy, pinkish-purple plumes that create a dramatic, cloud-like effect in the landscape during late summer and fall. This low-maintenance perennial is not only visually appealing but also fast-growing, quickly establishing itself and reaching its mature height of 2 to 3 feet within a single growing season. Pink Muhly Grass thrives in full sun and well-drained soils, making it an excellent choice for adding texture, movement, and color to gardens, borders, and mass plantings.
Tips for Success with Fast-Growing Plants
- Select the Right Plants: Choose fast-growing plants that are well-suited to your climate, soil, and sunlight conditions to ensure they thrive.
- Provide Proper Care: Fast-growing plants often require regular watering, fertilization, and pruning to maintain their rapid growth and healthy appearance.
- Plan for Size: Be mindful of the mature size of fast-growing plants to avoid overcrowding and ensure they have enough space to grow.
Conclusion
Fast-growing trees, shrubs, and perennials are the perfect solution for quickly creating a beautiful, thriving landscape. You can enjoy a lush, vibrant garden in just a few seasons by selecting the right plants and providing them with proper care. Whether you’re looking for quick shade, vibrant color, or natural privacy, these fast-growing options will help you easily achieve your landscaping goals.