6 Fast-Growing Evergreen Plants That’ll Brighten Up Your Garden All Year Round

Ever walk past someone’s yard in the middle of January and think, How does it still look that good? Chances are, evergreens are doing the heavy lifting. They’re the unsung heroes—green when everything else looks like it gave up for the season.

And while some take their sweet time to grow, others? Total overachievers. Fast-growing, no-nonsense, and honestly kind of magical when they fill out that blank spot in your yard like it was never empty to begin with.

So if you want year-round color without waiting half a decade, here are six evergreen shrubs that grow fast, look great, and won’t ghost you in winter.

1. Boxwood (but skip the formal vibes)

Boxwood’s been around forever. Yes, it’s the one people trim into weird animal shapes or perfect cubes. But it doesn’t have to be all prim and proper.

There are tons of varieties that grow quickly and stay naturally rounded—no hedge clippers required. They’re tough, dense, and stay a vibrant green even when it’s cold enough to freeze your eyelashes. Bonus: they handle shade like a champ.

Stick a few along your walkway or line your porch with them. Instant structure.

2. Arborvitae (‘cause fences are expensive)

Need privacy fast? Arborvitae is your plant. Think of it as a living wall that doesn’t require staining or power washing.

There are tall, skinny ones (like the ‘Emerald Green’ type) that are great for squeezing between houses, and then there are broader varieties if you’ve got space to fill. They grow fast—sometimes a couple of feet a year—and once they’re settled, they don’t need much fussing.

They’ll happily chill through snow, sleet, or whatever else winter throws your way.

3. Viburnum (yes, it’s evergreen… sometimes)

Not all viburnums are evergreen, but the right ones? Game-changers.

Try Viburnum tinus or Viburnum davidii if you want green leaves, year-round color, and even a few pops of pink or white flowers thrown in for good measure. And the bonus? Birds love the berries.

These grow fast but stay manageable, and they’ve got that lush, layered look that makes your garden feel full and intentional—even if you totally made it up as you went.

4. Elaeagnus (weird name, great plant)

Elaeagnus might not roll off the tongue, but it will win you over in the yard.

It’s one of those tough-as-nails shrubs that handles poor soil, salt, wind—you name it. Some types are variegated with soft yellow or silvery-green leaves, which gives your garden some texture instead of one big green blob.

It grows fast, too. Like, blink-and-it’s-bigger fast. Good for hedges, filling in awkward corners, or making your fence line less boring.

5. Loropetalum (the cool kid of the evergreen world)

Want something evergreen that isn’t, well, green? Meet Loropetalum.

With deep purple leaves and hot pink fringe-y flowers in spring, this one brings serious personality. It stays leafy all year long, doesn’t mind heat or a little shade, and grows quickly once it’s happy.

It’s got a loose, graceful shape that works great in modern gardens, cottage vibes, or even tucked into a container on your patio.

Low maintenance + high style = win.

6. Camellia (for when you want flowers and greenery)

Camellias are kind of like the garden’s version of a secret weapon. People expect flowers in spring or summer—but in winter? That’s a flex.

Certain types bloom in fall or even mid-winter, with big, showy flowers in shades of white, pink, or red. All while the glossy green leaves stick around, making everything look alive even when the rest of the yard’s on pause.

They grow fast if you give them a little shelter and some acidic soil. Think shady corners, under trees, or near your porch.

If your yard looks tired six months out of the year, these fast-growing evergreen shrubs are basically the shortcut to fixing that. They’re green when nothing else is. They grow quickly enough to feel like progress. And they bring structure and texture that makes everything else—flowers, mulch, even the mailbox—look better.

Mix and match a few. Try something new. Worst case? You have to trim them once in a while. Best case? You’ve got the kind of yard that makes the neighbors peek over the fence and say, “Okay… how are they pulling that off?”

Got a favorite evergreen that grows like a weed? Drop it in the comments. Always looking to add to the garden wish list.