Mighty oaks and ornamental maples are beautiful in their own right, but the year-round greenery that conifers add to your garden has a lot to offer. The presence of cones characterizes this family of trees – hence the name – and the evergreen foliage that provides natural privacy, shade and wind protection. They are also a wonderful habitat for wildlife, are considered relatively easy to care for, and look majestic in winter and spring when other trees and plants are leafless. If you're looking to quickly transform your landscaping, consider planting some of these fast-growing conifers.
- Teri ValenzuelaNatural Science Manager at Sunday, an online service that creates customized lawn care plans
- Christian FreseHead of Arboriculture at Moon Valley Nurseries
- Eric Preston StoutMaster Gardener, Landscape Gardener and Garden Teacher at TeachMe.To
Green giant tree of life
If you're looking for a super-quick garden makeover, you might want to get your hands on a giant green arborvitae (Thuja folded). “This is one of the fastest growing trees,” says Teri Valenzuela, Sunday’s natural sciences manager. “With its tall, tapered shape, it's perfect for quickly creating a thick, green wall to keep your garden private.”
- Zone: 5 to 8
- Mature size: 40 to 60 feet
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained, nutrient-rich and loamy soil; Keep the soil moist until established
- Growth rate: 3 to 5 feet per year
Italian cypress
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With its columnar silhouette and elegant Mediterranean flair, the Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is an incredible conifer. “These extremely slender trees make great accent plants – especially in tight spaces – and can also be used in a dramatic hedge line,” says Christian Frese, head of arboriculture at Moon Valley Nurseries.
- Zone: 7 to 10
- Mature size: Depending on variety, 25 to 70 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained clay soil; Water when the soil feels dry
- Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Loblolly pine
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The loblolly pine (Pinewood) is considered the fastest growing pine species and is characterized by its unique appearance with dense foliage at the top and bare trunks. This tall, straight evergreen tree has long, slender needles that grow in clusters of three.
- Zone: 6 to 9
- Mature size: 60 to 90 feet tall
- Care: Full sun; well-drained sandy soil; Allow the soil to dry between waterings
- Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Japanese black pine
Courtesy of Conifer Kingdom
This mighty, resilient evergreen (Pinus thunbergii) has long, slender, dark green – almost black – needles arranged in pairs. Its trunk and branches are quite eye-catching compared to other conifers due to their rough and twisted appearance. This fast-growing conifer thrives well in coastal conditions and is also a good choice for bonsai gardens.
- Zone: 5 to 8
- Mature size: 20 to 60 feet
- Care: Full sun; well-drained clay soil; Allow the surface to dry between waterings
- Growth rate: 1 to 3 feet per year
American Arboretum
Courtesy of Conifer Kingdom
The American Tree of Life (Western thuja) comes in more than 40 different varieties, giving you many shapes, colors and sizes to choose from for your landscaping. “With its extremely dense, dark green foliage, this tree is ideal as a hedge,” says Frese. The foliage feels soft and can be used together with a hedge as an eye-catcher in the garden.
- Zone: 3 to 8
- Mature size: 60 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained clay soil; Keep the soil moist during the growing phase
- Growth rate: 2 feet per year
Leyland cypress
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The Leyland Cypress (Hesperotropsis leylandii) is another fast-growing conifer that gives a Christmassy look thanks to its dense and dark green foliage that grows in a triangular shape. “It’s a great choice for fences or as a standout tree in your yard,” says Valenzuela. “Use it as a privacy screen, a windbreak or to frame your flowers and shrubs.”
- Zone: 6 to 8
- Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil; Keep the soil moist
- Growth rate: 2 to 4 feet per year
Rocky Mountain Juniper Rocket
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If you like Rocky Mountain juniper but want a variety that grows faster, the Skyrocket variety (Juniper of the Rocks) is the right way. It's still not the fastest growing conifer on this list, but it's a nice alternative to the original. The Skyrocket has a slender silhouette with dense, silver-blue needles and is best used as an accent tree.
- Zone: 3 to 9
- Mature size: 15 feet tall
- Care: Full sun; well-drained clay soil; Water when the surface is dry
- Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
Norway spruce
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You may recognize the majestic silhouette and pine-like foliage of the Norway spruce (Picea abies) because it is the chosen Christmas tree for New York's Rockefeller Center every year. It is a particularly fast growing tree (especially when young) that also grows extremely wide. “The tree has beautiful pendulous – or drooping – branches that enhance the iconic look of the tree,” says Frese.
- Zone: 2 to 7
- Mature size: 40 to 60 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained, slightly acidic soil; Keep the soil moist during the growing phase
- Growth rate: 2 to 5 feet per year
Carolina sapphire cypress
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This fast-growing evergreen tree (Arizona cypress) produces silvery-blue foliage that creates an almost milky appearance. Its silhouette is subtly triangular (but still appears very slim) and the dense, scale-like leaves form a nice privacy and windbreak. Another plus point is that this fragrance gives off a wonderful pine scent.
- Zone: 7 to 10
- Mature size: 40 to 60 feet tall
- Care: Full sun; well-drained sandy soil; Allow the soil to dry between waterings
- Growth rate: 3 to 6 feet per year
Bald cypress
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The bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) is a fast-growing tree that produces feathery, delicate green leaves. “Its name comes from the needle-shaped leaves that turn orange in the fall before falling off,” says Valenzuela. “This tree [also] provides deep roots that help prevent erosion and soak up extra water – plus it provides a home for local wildlife.”
- Zone: 4 to 9
- Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained soil; Keep the soil moist
- Growth rate: 3 to 5 feet per year
Eastern white pine
The white pine is named for its smooth, pale bark (Pine Lightning) grows tall and straight and has long and flexible needles grouped in bundles of five. It has a graceful appearance that makes it an elegant addition to any garden, especially as a decorative accent. Growth is slow in the first few years, but then it picks up speed.
- Zone: 4-9
- Mature size: 50 to 80 feet
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained clay soil; Keep the soil moist until established
- Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Western Red Cedar
Due to its mature size – with a maximum height of about 200 feet – this giant cedar (Thuja folded) is not suitable for every garden. However, if you have the space, incorporating it into your property is a great option. This fast-growing conifer has dense, fan-like foliage that ranges from rich green to reddish brown and takes on a broad pyramidal shape.
- Zone: 5 to 9
- Mature size: 100 to 200 feet
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained clay soil; Keep the soil moist until established
- Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year
Monkey puzzle tree
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If you're looking for an absolutely stunning conifer, the Monkey Puzzle Tree is for you (Araucaria araucana). “There is no other conifer like this species,” says Eric Preston Stout, experienced gardener and landscaper with TeachMe.To. “It is a spirally arranged, radially spreading evergreen plant with leaves that resemble a Fibonacci sequence.” The whorled leaves also have a spiny, scale-like quality. It is definitely a decorative choice rather than a hedging option. Additionally, it is best to plant an already established tree as it grows very slowly in its first few years. However, as soon as it is ripe, it starts.
- Zone: 7 to 10
- Mature size: 60 to 70 feet tall
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained sandy soil; Keep the soil moist until established
- Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year once established
Douglas fir
This tall tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii) has soft, needle-like leaves that develop in a beautiful spiral pattern. It is considered one of the most popular options for Christmas trees due to its classic pyramid shape, scent, and gentle needles. This fast-growing conifer also makes an excellent accent or privacy screen in gardens thanks to its dense, year-round foliage.
- Zone: 4-6
- Mature size: 70 to 100 feet
- Care: Partial to full sun; well-drained sandy soil; Keep the soil moist until established
- Growth rate: 1 to 2 feet per year
European larch
Credit:
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This beautiful tree is one of the few deciduous trees on Earth, meaning its leaves change color in the fall and then fall off. The European larch (Deciduous larch) grows in a pyramid shape and produces soft, light green needles that turn a striking golden yellow hue in autumn. “[It offers] “The tree with the best fall color of all conifers,” says Stout.
- Zone: 2 to 6
- Mature size: 50 to 70 feet tall
- Care: Full sun; well-drained sandy soil; Keep the soil moist
- Growth rate: 2 to 3 feet per year