11 Fast-Growing Shrubs for an Instant Garden Makeover

Fast-growing shrubs can shade a yard or form a fence along a property line in just a few growing seasons. However, just because a shrub matures quickly doesn’t mean it’s garden-worthy. Some of the fastest-growing shrubs are weakly woody and disease-prone. While they may provide immediate garden satisfaction, they will break in the next storm or succumb to disease in no time.

The following fast-growing shrubs have a proven track record of strong structure and disease resistance. You can count on these plants to provide years of rapid growth and beauty in your garden.

01. Arborvitae

Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis is an evergreen tree native to North America with smooth, flat leaves. Upright varieties, such as ‘Techni,’ grow to a height of 20 to 30 feet in about 10 years, while globular varieties, such as ‘Tater Tot’ and ‘Little Giant,’ maintain a rounded shape, quickly providing structure around a foundation or patio.

02. Arrowhead Viburnum

Fragrant white flowers in spring and small bluish-black fruits in late summer make the viburnum shrub (Viburnum dentatum) popular with butterflies, bees and songbirds. Include this North American native shrub in a foundation planting or plant several together to create a hedge. 'Chicago Luster' has unusual flowers and beautiful fall colors. 'Monglow' has glossy leaves and large flowers.

03. Shrub Honeysuckle

A hardy plant that thrives in hot, dry places where other shrubs struggle to survive, shrubby honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia) has clean green leaves and yellow flowers that bloom intermittently throughout the summer. Its leaves turn red in the fall. Some cultivars offer colorful foliage, such as 'Cool Splash' (shown here) which has variegated leaves, and 'Kodiak Black' with deep purple leaves.

04. Glossy Abelia

Small, fragrant white and pink flowers cover this easy-to-grow shrub from late spring through fall. Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) has a dense, rounded habit and is a fast-growing solution for perennial borders, foundation plantings or gaps in a shrub bed. It is deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. In zones 6 and 7, it usually dies back to the ground in winter, but it grows back quickly in spring.

05. Photinia

Photinia (Photinia spp.), also known as red-tip photinia, is an evergreen with glossy green leaves that bloom in bright red. Low-maintenance and easy to care for, Photinium shrubs tolerate heat well and rarely require pruning. It makes a great hedge, growing 3 feet or more per year to mature size. Look for 'Red Dynamo', which has good disease resistance.

06. Ninebark

A fast-growing shrub with colorful foliage and early summer flowers, Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) forms a dense hedge or can be used in a foundation planting or mixed border. 'Gingerwine' has burgundy leaves, and 'Festive Gold' has bright yellow leaves in full sun locations. Ninebark tolerates pruning well.

07. Smoke Bush.

Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria) gets its name from the smoky pink flower clusters that appear in early summer. The flowers give this upright, rounded shrub an informal appearance. Use it to block a view or create a background in the landscape. 'Royal Purple' has almost black leaves, while 'Winecraft Gold' has yellow-green leaves.

08. Spirea

A very easy-to-grow deciduous shrub that forms a low hedge or provides quick color and shape in a landscape bed, Spirea (Spirea spp.) is available in several unique varieties. Plant a birch-leaf variety, such as 'Tor', for stunning fall color on a plant that grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. 'Nishabha Sanya' Bridal Veil Spirea has arching stems covered in fragrant white flowers in spring.

09. Virginia Sweet Spire

Rely on Virginia Sweet Spire (Itea virginica) to brighten up your fall garden with shades of red and purple. This native shrub has beautiful arching branches and fragrant flowers in early summer. Virginia Sweet Spire is most at home in partial shade. For best growth, plant it in a location that receives four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. Both 'Henry's Garnet' and 'Little Henry' are excellent cultivars.

10. Wax Myrtle

A hardy shrub that is a favorite of wildlife, wax myrtle (Myrica spp.), also known as southern myrtle, features glossy, leathery leaves. Use it as a screen or hedge and enjoy the pollinators and birds it attracts. Wax myrtle should be watered regularly after planting so it can develop a strong root system. Once established, it can tolerate long periods of drought.

11. Weigela

Weigela (Weigela florida) blooms profusely in late spring and continues to produce pink or white flowers intermittently until frost. The plant has an upright growth habit with arching branches that give it a fountain-like appearance. Butterflies and hummingbirds often visit this spot for its priceless flowers.