Answering the search for a reliable privacy screen, emerald green arborvitae offer dense year-round cover with minimal maintenance. This guide highlights five popular options suited for different yard sizes and trust levels. Best for tight spaces, medium-sized yards, or larger privacy rows, these selections balance fast growth, compact form, and evergreen color. Each option is explained with who it’s best for and practical cautions to consider when planning a living privacy screen. The quick reference table below helps compare core attributes at a glance.
| Product | Main Benefit | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees (6-12″) | Dense, immediate privacy with a natural pyramid shape | Small to mid-sized yards needing instant screening |
| Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae (5-6 ft) | Low-maintenance, strong hedge with broad coverage | Hedges along foundations or narrow spaces |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae (2 ft, Green Giant) | Fast-growing privacy fence that scales to larger spaces | New plantings aiming for rapid privacy in larger lots |
| DAS Farms Emerald Arborvitaes (Four Pack, 1-2 ft) | Compact, affordable starter hedges | Budget-friendly privacy in small to medium beds |
| Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae (1-2 ft) | Early privacy foundations with easy clustering | Foundations and tight-yard privacy setups |
20 Emerald Green Arborvitae Trees/Shrubs — 6-12″ Tall
Best for immediate, dense privacy in smaller landscapes. These bareroot saplings ship ready to establish a living screen with a naturally compact, pyramidal column. The compact form minimizes pruning needs and supports a manicured look year-round. Best for buyers seeking a cost-effective, high-density hedge that matures into a solid barrier quickly.
Best for: small yards, budget-conscious buyers, or those wanting a quick privacy solution without ongoing shaping. Limitation: bareroot plants may require careful acclimation and consistent moisture after planting to establish roots.
Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae, 5-6 ft
Best for medium-sized privacy screens with less pruning, these taller evergreens provide a tall, dense barrier that’s easy to cluster. They adapt well to varied soil types and climates, offering a robust year-round screen. Best for buyers needing vertical coverage and a tidy, low-maintenance hedge.
Better for: foundation plantings or alongside driveways where height contributes to privacy. Caution: availability may vary by region, and larger specimens require adequate spacing for full growth.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft, 8-Pack
Best for rapid privacy growth in larger spaces. The Green Giant is renowned for fast maturation and dense, dark foliage, with a pyramidal shape that can reach substantial height over time. Choose this if you want a scalable privacy hedge that can be pruned to maintain a defined outline. Best for: larger yards or long borders where quick privacy matters.
Limitation: very tall plants require planful spacing and ongoing maintenance to control ultimate height in landscapes.
DAS Farms Emerald Arborvitaes — Four Pack
Best for budget-friendly privacy starts in a small to mid-sized yard. These ready-to-plant saplings provide a solid foundation for a hedge with proper spacing and care. They tolerate sun to partial shade and thrive in zones 3 through 8. Best for buyers who want a straightforward, low-cost hedging solution.
Caution: California orders may have packaging variations due to state regulations; ensure proper planting depth and irrigation during establishment.
Brighter Blooms Emerald Green Arborvitae, 1-2 ft
Best for foundation planting and early privacy setup in tight spaces. These smaller hedges cluster to form a green privacy wall while needing minimal pruning. They adapt well to various soils and weather, delivering a reliable evergreen presence even in compact landscapes.
Choose this if you want scalable, stepwise privacy with the option to expand over time. Limitation: smaller plants will take longer to reach full screening compared to taller stock.
Buying Guide: Key Considerations for Emerald Green Arborvitae Privacy Screens
- Yard size and screening goal: For immediate coverage, choose taller or densely packed packs. For gradual growth, start with smaller plants and cluster.
- Growth rate and mature size: Green Giants grow rapidly but can reach 60 ft tall; plan spacing and pruning accordingly.
- Soil and climate: Emerald Greens thrive in diverse soils but prefer well-drained conditions. Consider hardiness zones to match local winters.
- Maintenance needs: Some options require little pruning, while others benefit from shaping to maintain a neat columnar look.
- Rooting and establishment: Bareroot and container stock have different establishment timelines; ensure consistent moisture after planting.
- Cost and scale: Larger packs and taller varieties provide faster privacy but at higher upfront costs. Balance with long-term landscape plans.
- Placement and spacing: To form an effective screen, space plants based on their mature width and growth habit. Dense clusters help block views and noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What size should I start with for a quick privacy screen?
- How fast do emerald green arborvitae grow?
- Do these plants tolerate cold winters?
- Is pruning required for a neat hedge?
- Can I plant these in containers?
- Are these suitable for coastal or windy locations?
Starting with taller or larger-diameter saplings generally provides faster screening, but ensure you have adequate space for growth.
Growth rates vary by cultivar and conditions, with some varieties growing several feet per year under optimal conditions.
Yes, most emerald green arborvitae selections are winter-hardy in many temperate zones, though extreme cold or wet winters can affect establishment.
Some cultivars are naturally pyramid-shaped and require little pruning, while others may benefit from light shaping to maintain a columnar form.
Smaller varieties and initial seedlings can be grown in containers, but long-term privacy screens typically perform best in-ground with proper root space.
Many evergreen arborvitae tolerate wind but may need additional protection and proper anchoring in exposed sites.