Evergreens are a great choice for filling in a large space quickly. As single plants, they can create privacy. Many of them can also be pruned into screens or borders. The plants are colorful and interesting all year round and provide shelter and food to birds and other wildlife. Cones are produced by many needled evergreens. Flowers and berries are produced by broadleaf varieties.
The fastest-growing evergreens are usually those with the highest height at maturity. There are shorter species that can be used as small trees or shrub hedges. There are dwarf evergreens that grow slowly. When choosing a tree type, choose one with rapid growth. A plant or evergreen can be considered to grow fast if they grow 25 inches per year or more.
These 18 evergreens will quickly fill out your landscape and add privacy.
01
Leyland Cypress
Leyland Cypress is a versatile evergreen conifer with a reddish-brown bark, flattened sprays gray-green leaves, and dark brown cones. The pyramidal shape is broadly rounded and taper to a point near the crown. The trees can be grown up to their full height by a little shaping, or they can be pruned into smaller specimens or hedges. Leyland cypress can grow up to 30 feet in height within the first 10 years.
Name: Leyland Cypress
Hardiness Zone 6 to 10
Mature Height: 60-70 feet
Growth Rate: 3-4 feet per year
02
Eastern White Pine
Eastern white pines are a magnificent tree that can provide a windbreak with their height and spread. The tree develops into a beautiful, rounded pyramidal form with soft, long blue-green needles. Only early shaping is required. In five years, a sapling that is 2 feet tall can grow to 12 feet. Eastern white pine is not tolerant of pollution, and mature trees can grow up to 40 feet.
Name: Eastern White Pine
Hardiness Zone 3 to 8
Mature Height: between 50 and 80 feet
Growth Rate: Over 2 feet per year
03
Thuja Green Giant
Thuja green giant has a dense and narrow growth habit that is easily used as a screen. The bark is brown and shaggy, with rich green leaves that fan out in fan-like sprays. They darken up in the winter. In 10 years, mature trees can grow up to 50 feet tall with a spread of 5 feet. This tree is toxic for livestock.
Thuja Green Giant
Hardiness Zone 5 to 8
Mature Height: 40-60 feet
Growth Rate: 3 – 5 feet per annum
04
Monterey Pine
Monterey Pine is a tree with a straight, tall trunk and slender pyramidal shape. The tree is a good choice for dry climates. It has long dark green needles with brown seed cones. In 15 years, it can reach a height of 53 feet. Monterey Pine is cultivated for lumber all over the world. It’s considered rare and endangered when it grows in its native environment in Mexico and central California.
Name: Monterey Pine (Pinus radiata)
Hardiness Zone 7 to 10
Mature Height: 45 – 190 feet
Growth Rate: From 3 to 6 feet per annum
05
Norway Spruce
Norway spruce, a coniferous evergreen that is well-known as a popular variety of Christmas tree, is regarded as an iconic and iconic coniferous species. Weeping horizontal branches are adorned with large brown cones measuring 4 to 6 inches. This tree has a gray-brown scaly bark with dense, stiff dark green needles that are ideal for ornaments and lights. In the first five growing years, a 2-foot sapling can reach ten feet.
Norway Spruce
Hardiness Zone 2 to 7
Mature Height: Between 50 and 75 feet
Growth Rate: 3 feet per annum
06
italian Cypress
Italian cypress adds a touch elegance to any landscape. The tall, narrow cylindrical form is easily recognized as a decorative feature in gardens around the world. This Mediterranean native has dark green needles that are sprayed on the short upright branches. It also produces brown or copper colored round cones. Italian cypress can grow up to 40 feet in height within 10 years, but it can be pruned back to reduce its height.
Name: Italian Cypress
Hardiness Zone 7 to 10
Mature Height: 50 feet
Growth Rate: up to 3 feet per annum
07
Nellie Stevens Holly
Nellie Stevens Holly is commonly grown as a hedge shrub, but looks just as good when pruned to a small tree. This is among a few broadleaf evergreens which grow at a rapid rate of 3 feet per annum. This holly has glossy dark green leaves with red berries. Nelly Stevens is salt-tolerant, making it a great choice for coastal landscapes. Berries can be toxic to humans and animals.
Name: Nelly Stevens Hollie (lIexx’NellieR. Stevens)
Hardiness Zone 6 to 9
Mature Height: 15-30 feet
Growth Rate: 3 feet per annum
08
Western Red Cedar
Western red cedar is native to the Pacific Northwest. It has a pyramidal shape that can be narrow or broad. The branches are slightly curved, giving it an elegant appearance. The underside of the leaves are marked with a white butterfly. In autumn, the Western Red Cedar produces upright cones that are brown or copper in color. It can reach heights of over 12 feet within 10 years.
Name: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata)
Hardiness Zone 5 to 7
Mature Height: Between 50 and 70 feet
Growth Rate: 2 feet per annum
09
Japanese Black Pine
The Japanese black pine, with its thick, twisting trunks and dark-green foliage that turns white when new growth appears is a unique specimen. The crown is rounded or flat instead of tapering like that of other evergreens. Branches are slightly drooping. There are many varieties of Japanese black pine, including some that are well-suited to bonsai.
Name: Japanese Black Pine
Hardiness Zone 5 to 8
Mature Height: From 3 to 80 feet
Growth Rate: 2 to3 feet per year
10
Rocky Mountain Juniper Skyrocket
Skyrocket Juniper
Skyrocket Juniper is a cultivar that grows faster than Rocky Mountain Juniper. The conical shape and moderate height of this plant make it a versatile addition to the landscape. The bark is reddish brown and sheds in thin stripes. The foliage can range from silvery blue to dark green. The waxy, blue, berry like cones are an attractive feature. This cultivar can reach 15 feet in height with a spread of 3 feet within 10 years.
Name: Rocky Mountain Juniper
Hardiness Zone 4 to 9
Mature Height: 30-40 feet
Growth Rate: 2 feet per annum
11
Common Myrtle
Common myrtle is a great choice for a screening hedge. This flowering evergreen woody can be pruned into a small specimen, but it is also the perfect size for hedging. The white, fuzzy flowers contrast beautifully with the leathery dark green leaves. They are then followed by edible berries. The cinnamon-colored bark peels off easily and adds to the appeal.
Common Myrtle
Hardiness Zone 8 to 11
Mature Height: 3-15 feet
Growth Rate: Over 2 feet per year
12
Wax myrtle
The Southern Bayberry Tree is also known as Wax Myrtle and can reach a height of 40 feet. It is a good border or screen hedge, and has fragrant olive-green foliage. In spring, wax myrtle bears catkins. These are followed by pale-blue fruits in the winter. Berry production requires two plants – male and female. Bark can range from a light gray color to almost white.
Name: Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Hardiness Zone 7 to 10
Mature height: 12 to 40 feet
Growth Rate: 3 – 5 feet per annum
13
Cherry Laurel
The cherry laurel tree is an evergreen broadleaf shrub or tree with glossy, green leaves and spikes of white flowers in the spring. It is resistant to soil types and can be pruned heavily, making it an ideal screening hedge. Birds and pollinators are attracted to the red berries and flowers in autumn. It can grow into a 10 foot high hedge with good care in just four or five years. The cherry laurel plant is toxic to humans and animals.
Name: Cherry Laurel
Hardiness Zone 4 to 9
Mature Height: 25 feet
Growth Rate: 3 to 5″ per year
14
Grand Fir
The Grand Fir tree is a large and beautiful tree. It is a focal point for any landscape with its smooth gray bark, dark green shiny needles, and 3-inch reddish-brown cones. There are several dwarf varieties that may not grow as fast if you do not have the space for this giant.
Name: Grand Fir
Hardiness Zone 5 to 6
Mature Height: 100-250 feet tall
Growth Rate: Four feet per year
15
Carolina Sapphire Cypress
The Carolina sapphire Cypress is well-suited for hot and dry climates. The soft blue needles of the lacy, fragrant foliage are arranged in layers on the branches. The open habit of this tree gives it a light and airy appearance. Mature trees have small cones that are coated in a powdery blue coating.
Name: Carolina Sapphire Cypress, (Cupressus Arizonica var. glabra ‘Carolina Sapphire’)
Hardiness Zone 6 to 9
Mature Height : 30 feet
Growth Rate: 3 to 5″ per year
16
Taylor Juniper
Taylor juniper, a fast-growing cultivar of Eastern red cedar is popular for its slender columnar appearance. It is well suited for colder climates and displays blue-green leaves with blue berries. This cultivar grows naturally and does not require pruning. It can be used as a tall fence. After 10 years the trees reach 20 feet high and 3 feet at their base.
Name: Taylor’s Juniper
Hardiness Zone 4 to 9
Mature Height: 15-20 feet
Growth Rate: Between 3 and 5 feet per annum
17
Chinese Holly ‘Burford
Burford Chinese Holly is an evergreen broadleaf shrub or small tree that has glossy dark olive-green leaves, small yellow-green blooms and dark-red fruits. The early spring flowers are attractive to bees, but both male and female plants must be present for fruiting. This plant is toxic for people and animals in Georgia.
Name: Chinese Holly
Hardiness Zone 7 to 9
Mature Height: 15-25 feet
Growth Rate: 3 feet per annum
18
American Pillar Arborvitae
The American pillar arborvitae is ideal for privacy borders or tall privacy hedges because it has a spread of only 3 to 5 feet. The narrow columnar shape of the tree allows it to fit into small spaces. Glossy green foliage turns bronze-purple in autumn. American Pillar is heat and cold resistant, adapting to multiple landscape uses. It requires little pruning to maintain its graceful appearance. This tree is toxic for livestock.
Name: American Pillar Arborvitae
Hardiness Zone 3 to 8
Mature Height: 23-30 feet
Growth Rate: Over 2 feet per year
Find out more
Evergreens are versatile in the landscape. They are not only unique specimens of trees and shrubs but can also be used as borders to provide privacy and shade. Learn more about the benefits of evergreens and how you can incorporate them into your landscape.
Evergreen shrubs that are perfect for shade
Ten Best Evergreens to Use as Hedges or Privacy Screens
The 9 Best Flowering Evergreens for Long-Lasting, Beautiful Blooms
