Top 4 Arborvitae Trees - Great Garden Plants Blog (2024)

This award-winning introduction from the U.S. National Arboretum is regarded as the most distinguished landscaping tree in America, and it’s our #1 best-selling privacy tree! Growing up to three feet a year, ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii) will quickly transform your space into a private oasis. Left to grow for several years, your trees can eventually reach 50-60 feet tall x 15-20 feet wide. Don’t worry about getting a ladder. This tree is low maintenance, disease resistant, winter hardy, and requires no trimming! You can expect it to stay green all summer, then take on some bronze hues in winter.

When you order ‘Green Giant’ from Great Garden Plants, you’ll receive a 3 feet tall, floor-to-tip, plant in one-gallon containers. Only 4-5 plants are required to create 20 feet of hedge.

‘Emerald Green’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a native arb that is ideal for privacy in smaller areas. With a compact habit, ‘Emerald Green’ only reaches 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. This quick-growing evergreen can grow up to 18″ a year! The foliage stays a lush green all summer long, even in heat and humidity. You may see some yellowing in winter in colder climates, but it’s nothing to worry about. A simple shearing in early spring is all it takes to keep this colorful and fragrant evergreen in bounds.

It’s low maintenance, adaptable to nearly any soil, and is easy to grow. All you need to do is plant, then enjoy your privacy! When you order ‘Emerald Green’ from us, you’ll receive a 34″ tall plant, floor-to-tip, in one-gallon containers. We recommend 8-9 plants for 20 feet of hedge.

‘Hetz Wintergreen’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) creates a charming wall of fragrant, dark green foliage. The foliage keeps its attractive dark green color year-round without taking on winter bronzing we see in other Thujas. It’s intermediate in size, reaching 15-25 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. ‘Hetz Wintergreen’ is another fast-growing arb, growing over 2 feet per year. In no time, the young, one-gallon plant you’ll receive from us will grow into a tall fence for privacy.

We ship ‘Hetz Wintergreen’ in one-gallon containers when they’re 3 feet tall, floor to tip. To make a 20 foot hedge, we recommend using 6-8 plants.

Selected for its super-fast growth and tall, narrow habit, Full Speed A Hedge® ‘American Pillar’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) sets the new standard for hedges. It combines the rapid growth rate of ‘Green Giant’ and the space-saving shape of ‘Emerald Green’ to create the perfect hedge, all in one! It grows up to 3 feet per year, reaching a total size of 15-20 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide. The main advantages for Full Speed A Hedge® is that it is hardy down to zone 3, maintains a narrow habit, and stays green all winter. What more could you ask for?

When you order Full Speed A Hedge® from Great Garden Plants, you’ll receive a 25 inch tall, floor-to-tip, plant in a two-quart container. Only 8 plants are required to create 20 feet of hedge.