Fast Growing Shrubs Zone 7

Choosing shrubs for growing in Zone 7 can be a lot of fun. Shrubs play a huge role in landscaping and have many uses. Some of them are used as barriers or borders, they can provide soft architectural lines, fill larger areas, or provide a focal point. Many shrubs are evergreen so you can enjoy green all year, even in the winter. Others are flowering at least part of the year adding beauty to your landscape. 

When you are selecting shrubs for your landscaping project, think about the ornamental qualities they will bring to the area. Consider their height and width. Think about their overall shape. What fruiting or flowering habits do they have? What is their fall foliage like, and what will they look like in the fall versus other seasons? How fast will they grow?

Fast growing shrubs and bushes can provide you with their benefits quickly. You can enjoy their shade, flowers, or privacy. The Forsythia is suitable for zone 7 and grows rapidly. The North Privet grows over 24-inches in a year and provides a luscious green privacy screen. The Forsythia grows fast and blooms early. Other fast-growing shrubs include the Crape Myrtle, Beautybush, and Hazelnut.

What is a shrub, anyway?

Shrubs are bush-like plants that are generally smaller than trees. Unlike a tree that has a single “stem” that produces lots of branches, a shrub has a lot of limbs or stems that are produced close to the soil line. Most shrubs are less than 12 feet tall, however, a few varieties are taller than 20 feet.

What to look for when choosing shrubs

There are so many different features shrubs provide, it can be a difficult choice. But the good thing is that they come in so many different shapes, colors, and sizes, it is easy to find something you like, enjoy looking at, and that complements your yard or garden. Here are the main features of shrubs to think about.

How large will the shrub get?

You need to put some thought into the size of a shrub. It will need to have room to grow. Also, think about how you will keep it trimmed or if you want to place it in an area where it won’t need trimming as often. Choose a size that will complement other landscaping features including trees and flowers.

Where will you put the shrub?

Shrubs have different functions and their size is also important to where they will be placed. Its primary function will play a large role in deciding on its location. Do you want to grow plants like shrubs to provide climate control? Then you will want to place them closer to the house. Small to medium-sized shrubs can be used to accent patios, walkways, and pools. Low-growing shrubs like juniper can provide aesthetic appeal but also help with controlling erosion.

What other plants will be nearby?

Shrubs are thought to be short plants. But some of them grow to 10-feet tall, others even taller. Sometimes they provide shade. Make sure larger shrubs don’t block sunlight for plants requiring full sun. If your shrubs will be close to other plants, plant larger shrubs on the northeast side of the other plants. Knowing if your particular shrub is full sun to part shade helps you put it in the right location so it can thrive.

What colors will the shrubs provide in different seasons?

One of the biggest benefits of using shrubbery in your landscape is the colors they provide. Some of them will add flair to your outdoor spaces longer than trees and flowers. Evergreens can provide a touch of green throughout all the seasons. Flowering shrubs come in lots of different colors for you to enjoy. Seasonal colors and growth rates are big considerations when planting shrubbery.

Should a shrub have a root ball?

When you buy your shrubs, they should have a root ball. This is a mass of roots at the bottom of the plant. When planting your shrubs, dig a hole, but don’t disturb the dirt at the bottom. If it is loosened, the shrub can sink too deeply. The root ball should be placed so the top is about two to four inches above the top of the ground.

7 Fast Growing Shrubs for Zone 7

Blue Hydrangea

This shrub produces giant, gorgeous mophead blooms in the summer. They can form a nice hedge if desired. They are hardy in growing zones six to nine. The hydrangea grows quickly over 24-inches each year.

North Privet

This evergreen shrub is one of the fastest-growing varieties. It can grow up to three feet each year. It has dark, dense leaves that create a nice privacy screen. Shearing it often helps it grow thick branches that provide privacy year-round.

Forsythia

If you are looking for a fast-growing, flowering hedge, the forsythia is a great option. They bloom in early spring before everything else has a chance to green up. They need to be planted four to six feet apart for the best results. 

Crape Myrtle

This attractive shrub is hardy in zone 7. It grows more than 24-inches each year and it is a favorite landscape element with its gorgeous flowers, nice foliage, and beautiful bark. The most common flower color is dark pink, but some of them have white flowers.

BeautyBush

This flowering shrub is fast-growing and easy to grow. It blooms a little later than some of the other plants and can provide a nice touch of interesting colors to your yard. After it flowers, the foliage remains green for the summer, then turns a nice reddish shade for a nice touch of fall color. It grows well in zones four through eight and grows over 24-inches per year.

Cherry Laurel

This evergreen shrub is fast-growing, dense, and has white flowers. Although it’s not a native plant, it has adapted well. The tiny white flowers it produces provide a unique visual element.

Thuga Green Giant

If you want a lush, thick shrub that can provide a nice privacy screen the green giant can oblige. Once it is well-established, it quickly grows three to five feet each year.

Final Thoughts

There are so many varieties of shrubs and fast-growing shrubbery, you can have plenty of variety in your yard all year round. They provide visual interest, but can also serve purposes like providing privacy, shade, or a wind block. Combining a few different types of shrubs can turn your yard into a beautiful outdoor area you can enjoy.