The fastest, most foolproof privacy screen you can plant
Thuja Green Giant is the hedge people reach for when they want a tall, solid wall of green – fast. A natural hybrid of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) and Japanese Arborvitae (Thuja standishii), it inherited the best of both parents: the speed and stature of one, the toughness and pest-resistance of the other. The result is a vigorous evergreen that can add 3 to 4 feet of height a year – sometimes more – while staying naturally narrow and upright.
Unlike many arborvitae that bronze or brown in the cold, Green Giant holds a deep, handsome green right through winter, when it's the only color left in the landscape. It shrugs off heat and humidity, adapts to almost any soil, and is one of the most deer-resistant evergreens you can plant. Whether you start with a young tree pot or a finished InstantHedge®, you're planting the same proven genetics.
Built for speed – without the regret
Green Giant earned its reputation as the go-to replacement for fast-but-troubled screens like Leyland Cypress. It grows just as quickly but with a tighter, more disciplined habit and far fewer disease problems. At ten years old an unpruned plant can reach roughly 12 feet tall and 4 feet wide – and it keeps going from there, so you can grow a true second-story privacy wall or keep it sheared to any height you like.
Tough, healthy, and low-fuss
This is an evergreen that wants to thrive. It's hardy in USDA zones 5–9, comfortable in full sun to partial shade, and adaptable to clay, loam, or sandy soils as long as water doesn't pool at the roots. Serious pest and disease issues are rare – the occasional bagworm is about the worst of it – and deer almost always pass it by in favor of softer plants. Give it a weekly soak the first season and it largely takes care of itself.
How fast you get privacy depends on where you start
Every size on this page is the same plant – the only difference is how big a head start you buy. Here's roughly when each option becomes a usable screen:
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4–5 years
Tree Pot
The most economical start. Young, healthy plants that establish fast and reward a little patience.
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3–4 years
Gallon
A bigger root system and a head start in height – the popular middle ground for most yards.
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2–3 years
MiniHedge XL
Substantial, pre-grown plants that close into a screen quickly with minimal waiting.
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Day one
InstantHedge®
A finished 3–6 ft hedge, pre-spaced and pre-shaped, installed in a single afternoon. Instant privacy – literally.
Planting & Care
· Planting
- Dig. Make each hole (or a continuous trench for a hedge) about twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth, so the top of the root ball sits flush with the soil surface.
- Space. Set plants 5–6 ft on center for a solid screen – closer (4 ft) to close in faster, wider (8–10 ft) for a relaxed property line.
- Backfill & water. Backfill with your native soil, tamp gently, then water deeply to settle out air pockets.
- Mulch. Add 1–2 inches of mulch around the base (not against the trunk) to hold moisture and feed the soil. Refresh yearly.
- Feed. A slow-release fertilizer at planting and each spring keeps growth strong.
Heavy wet clay? Plant slightly high – with the top of the root ball about 2 inches above grade – and mulch generously to keep roots out of standing water.
· Watering
Water deeply once a week through the first growing season (more often in extreme heat or sandy soil), letting the soil dry slightly between soakings. Once established, Green Giant is moderately drought tolerant and needs little supplemental water.
· Pruning
Pruning is optional – many people let Green Giant grow into its natural pyramid. For a formal, denser hedge, shear lightly in late spring or early summer, keeping the top slightly narrower than the bottom so the lower foliage never gets shaded out. Stay on top of it: Thujas have limited latent buds, so don't let a hedge get oversized and then cut hard to regain control.
Related Resources
FAQs
How far apart should I plant Green Giants for a privacy hedge?
For a solid, fast-closing hedge, plant 5–6 feet on center. For a tighter screen that closes faster, plant 4 feet apart. For a more relaxed property-line look where each plant keeps its full natural shape, 8–10 feet apart works well. Closer spacing won't hurt the plants – Green Giant naturally grows shoulder-to-shoulder in a hedge.
How long until I have real privacy?
It depends on the starting size. From a Tree Pot you'll typically see a usable screen in 4–5 years. From a Gallon plant, 3–4 years. From MiniHedge XL, 2–3 years. With InstantHedge®, the screen is finished the day it's planted – 3–6 feet of mature hedge installed in a single afternoon.
Will deer eat them?
Green Giant is one of the most deer-resistant evergreens we sell. In areas with heavy deer pressure no plant is bulletproof, but Green Giant is consistently passed over in favor of softer options like Eastern White Cedar and most Arborvitae varieties. Most customers don't need to fence young plants for protection.
Will it grow in clay soil?
Yes – Green Giant is famously soil-adaptable. It thrives in clay, loam, and sandy soils as long as water doesn't pool around the roots. If you have heavy wet clay, plant slightly high (with the top of the root ball about 2 inches above grade) and mulch generously to encourage drainage.
How much sun does it need?
Full sun (6+ hours of direct light) gives the fastest, densest growth. Green Giant will tolerate partial shade – 4 hours of sun – but growth will be slower and the form looser. Deep shade is not recommended.
Can I prune it?
Absolutely, though it isn't required. Light shearing in late spring or early summer will keep a formal shape and encourage denser branching. You can also let it grow into its natural pyramidal form with zero pruning – many people prefer that look for a privacy screen.
When is the best time to plant?
Spring and fall are ideal – the cooler weather lets roots establish without heat stress. Green Giant can be planted any time the ground isn't frozen, but if you're planting in mid-summer, plan to water more attentively for the first 8 weeks.
Is it safe around pets?
Thuja Green Giant is not considered highly toxic, but like most evergreens it isn't meant for consumption. Casual contact and brushing against the foliage is harmless. If you have a dog that chews on plants, supervise around any new planting until you know its habits.
Shipping Details
- Year-round shipping. Our container-grown plants ship from our Oregon nursery in every season.
- Free shipping on orders $99+ for tree-pot and gallon sizes.
- Freight delivery for MiniHedge XL and InstantHedge® units – we coordinate the delivery directly to your address.
- 45-Day Guarantee. Every plant is covered when it arrives; see our guarantee for details.
- Does not ship to Texas or Florida due to agricultural restrictions.
Please inspect your plants on arrival and let us know within 7 days (with photos) if anything isn't right – we'll make it right.