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The gap between planting a sapling and actually getting privacy is the single most frustrating part of landscaping. You want a wall of green, not a row of twigs that takes a decade to mature. That is why narrowing down the right genetics matters more than any other decision in this category.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I spend my time cross-referencing growth rate claims against verified owner reports, dissecting soil zone compatibility charts, and analyzing the real-world survival data behind evergreen nursery stock so you don’t have to guess.
After comparing dozens of field-grown varieties, I have settled on the seven best-in-class candidates that deliver real vertical progress. This guide breaks down each option by hardiness zone, mature size, and planting density so you can confidently choose the best fast growing evergreens for your exact situation.
How To Choose The Best Fast Growing Evergreens
Not every evergreen labeled “fast” actually delivers that speed in your local soil and climate. The real selector is matching a cultivar’s genetic growth ceiling to your specific USDA zone, sun exposure, and moisture patterns. Ignore the marketing and anchor every decision on these four points.
Know your hardiness zone before you order
A Thuja Green Giant that thrives in zone 5 may sulk in zone 9 if the humidity and soil pH are wrong. Every plant in this guide includes a zone range. If your zone falls outside that range, the growth rate will drop, and the tree may not survive a single winter. Check the USDA zone map and filter accordingly.
Spacing dictates speed of cover
Fast growth is useless if you plant too far apart. For a dense privacy screen in under three years, space Thuja Green Giants 5 to 6 feet apart. For Emerald Green Arborvitae, tighten that to 3 to 4 feet. Wider spacing creates gaps that take years to fill, defeating the purpose of a fast-growing selection.
Consider mature width vs. your property line
A tree that reaches 20 feet wide will push past property boundaries and shade out neighboring plants. Blue Arrow Juniper, with its narrow columnar habit, fits tight corridors. Thuja Green Giant requires serious horizontal room. Measure your planting strip before choosing any cultivar so you do not create a pruning nightmare.
Quick Comparison
On smaller screens, swipe sideways to see the full table.
| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack | Premium | Bulk privacy screen | 18 liners, zones 5-9 | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8-Pack | Premium | Established tall hedge | 2 ft tall starters | Amazon |
| Florida Foliage Thuja Green Giant 3-Pack | Mid-Range | Fast privacy starter | 3 plants, 5 lbs each | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 10-Pack | Mid-Range | Value bulk screen | 10 plants, 7-10 in tall | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Emerald Green Arborvitae | Mid-Range | Narrow upright hedge | 3-gal container, zones 3-8 | Amazon |
| Nellie R. Stevens Holly 10-Pack | Mid-Range | Berries & wildlife attraction | 10 plants, sun/shade tolerant | Amazon |
| Blue Arrow Juniper 10-Pack | Premium | Narrow columnar screen | 10 plants, drought tolerant | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack
This 18-liner kit from Perfect Plants delivers the highest density-per-dollar in the premium tier. Each Thuja Green Giant liner is a rooted starter that will push 3 to 4 feet of vertical growth per year once established in full sun. The wide-bottom pyramidal habit means you can space these 5 to 6 feet apart and still get a solid privacy wall by year three.
The foliage releases that familiar Christmas-tree scent when crushed, and the cultivar is deer-resistant after the first season. This pack cannot ship to California or Arizona due to agricultural restrictions, so check that detail before ordering. For anyone planting a long property line or a border windbreak, this is the most efficient way to cover ground fast.
Drought tolerance kicks in once the root system is established, usually after the first full growing season. Regular watering during the first month is critical, but after that, the maintenance drops to almost nothing. This is the volume buy for serious privacy projects.
What works
- Highest starter count per purchase for large-scale screening
- Deer and drought tolerant after establishment
- Dense pyramidal shape fills in quickly at 5-6 ft spacing
What doesn’t
- Cannot ship to CA or AZ
- Liners are small starters requiring patience in year one
2. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8-Pack
Starting with 2-foot-tall plants instead of liners shaves a full growing season off the wait. This 8-pack from Perfect Plants arrives with well-developed root systems that buyers consistently describe as robust and healthy. The shipping packaging protects the stems well, and the roots are moist and ready to go into the ground immediately.
Owner reviews repeatedly highlight that the plants are not all exactly 2 feet at delivery, but close enough that the growth trajectory is identical. The Thuja Green Giant genetics here are the same proven variety that reaches 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide at maturity, with the ability to prune for a lower profile if needed.
For someone who wants a head start on privacy without buying a whole truckload of larger containers, this 8-pack hits the sweet spot. The plants thrive in zones 5-9 and need consistent moisture through the first summer. Once established, you will see noticeable upward progress every month.
What works
- Larger starter size reduces time to privacy by one year
- Strong root system praised in verified buyer reviews
- Pruneable to maintain any desired height
What doesn’t
- Some plants may measure slightly under 2 ft
- Higher per-plant cost than liner packs
3. Florida Foliage Thuja Green Giant 3-Pack
This three-plant pack from Florida Foliage is the leanest entry point into the Thuja Green Giant category. Each plant weighs 5 pounds and ships ready for year-round planting in full sun to partial shade. The feathery, vibrant green foliage is the same dense variety that can reach impressive heights within a few seasons.
The moisture requirement is regular watering, and the first month after installation is the critical window. Florida Foliage explicitly recommends consistent and frequent irrigation during that establishment phase. The adaptability to various soil types makes this a low-risk choice for first-time evergreen buyers who are unsure about their soil composition.
For someone testing whether a fast-growing evergreen fits their yard before committing to a large pack, this three-pack is the perfect trial. It also works well for accent planting around a driveway or mail box where you only need a few specimens rather than a full hedge.
What works
- Low upfront cost for testing the variety
- Ships year-round for flexible planting schedules
- Adaptable to full sun and partial shade
What doesn’t
- Requires heavy watering in the first month
- Only three plants — not enough for a full privacy screen
4. Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae 10-Pack
Panter Nursery’s 10-pack delivers 7-to-10-inch-tall potted starters that claim a growth rate of 3 feet per year. That speed is realistic when planted in zones 5 through 9 with consistent moisture. The mature height reaches 40 feet with a 15-foot spread, so this is a long-term investment in serious screening power.
The spacing recommendation of 6 to 7 feet apart for a quick screen is wider than the 5-foot spacing for Green Giants, which means fewer plants per row. The partial shade tolerance gives some flexibility if your planting site does not get full all-day sun. The cold hardiness down to zone 5 makes this a reliable choice for northern states.
Be aware of the five-day guarantee window and the manufacturer’s notes about shipping during extreme temperatures. Ordering in mid-spring avoids the risk of damage from freezing or excessive heat during transit. For the price-per-plant ratio, this pack is one of the most cost-effective ways to start a large hedge.
What works
- Very low per-plant cost for bulk hedging
- Rated for 3 ft of annual vertical growth
- Partial shade tolerant for less sunny sites
What doesn’t
- Short guarantee window — only five days
- Small starter size at 7-10 inches
5. Green Promise Farms Emerald Green Arborvitae
If your space is tight or your zone is cold, this Emerald Green Arborvitae from Green Promise Farms is the correct narrow upright choice. It arrives in a 3-gallon container at roughly 30 inches tall, with a mature size of 18 to 20 feet high and only 5 to 6 feet wide. That narrow footprint fits suburban side yards where Green Giants would overwhelm.
The foliage is a rich emerald green that holds its color through winter without browning, a common complaint with some arborvitae varieties. The zone range of 3 to 8 covers almost the entire continental US, making it one of the widest hardiness ranges in this list. The recommended spacing for a hedge is 3 to 4 feet apart.
The trade-off is a slower vertical growth rate compared to Thuja Green Giants — expect 1 to 2 feet per year rather than 3 to 4. But for gardeners in zones 3 or 4 where Green Giants struggle, this is the best cold-hardy fast evergreen option available. The container size also means less transplant shock than bare-root liners.
What works
- Extremely cold hardy to zone 3
- Narrow mature spread fits tight planting areas
- Rich green winter color without browning
What doesn’t
- Slower annual growth than Thuja Green Giant
- Single plant — must buy multiple for a hedge
6. Nellie R. Stevens Holly 10-Pack
Nellie R. Stevens Holly breaks the evergreen monotony by producing bright orange-red berries in fall and winter without needing a separate male pollinator. This 10-pack from Florida Foliage offers a dense, vigorous growth habit that creates an excellent tall screen. The deep green leaves are spiny, which also helps deter deer and trespassers.
The sun and shade tolerance is wide — this holly adapts to various lighting conditions, making it a flexible choice for spots that get afternoon shade. It is low-maintenance once established and the berries attract birds and wildlife, adding ecological value to your property. The expected planting period is winter, which aligns with the dormant season for best root establishment.
The growth rate is fast for a holly, though not as explosive as Thuja Green Giant. Expect 2 to 3 feet per year in ideal conditions. The mature height reaches around 15 to 20 feet with a spread of 8 to 12 feet, so give it room. This is an excellent choice if you want privacy plus seasonal interest from berries.
What works
- Self-fruiting with bright winter berries
- Attracts birds and wildlife
- Adaptable to sun and partial shade
What doesn’t
- Slower early growth than Thuja Green Giant
- Spiny leaves are unpleasant to handle during pruning
7. Blue Arrow Juniper 10-Pack
Blue Arrow Juniper is the vertical accent specialist of this lineup. Its narrow columnar shape stays tight — only 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity — while reaching 12 to 15 feet tall. This 10-pack from Florida Foliage gives you a full row of these blue-green sentinels that provide year-round color and structure without overwhelming a small lot.
The drought tolerance is exceptional once established, and the plant thrives in full sun with clay or sandy soil types. That makes it a top pick for low-water landscaping or xeriscaping projects where other evergreens would struggle. The blue-green foliage provides a color contrast against darker green arborvitae or holly hedges.
Growth rate is moderate for a juniper — expect 1 to 2 feet per year. The trade-off is minimal maintenance and a form that never needs pruning to stay narrow. For tight urban gardens, driveways, or foundation plantings where width is at a premium, the Blue Arrow Juniper is the most space-efficient evergreen in this review.
What works
- Extremely narrow mature width (2-3 ft)
- Drought tolerant and low-maintenance
- Unique blue-green foliage color
What doesn’t
- Slower vertical growth than Green Giants
- Does not form a dense wall — more of a vertical accent
Hardware & Specs Guide
Mature Height & Width
Thuja Green Giant reaches 60 ft tall and 20 ft wide if left unpruned. Emerald Green Arborvitae tops out at 20 ft tall and 6 ft wide. Blue Arrow Juniper stays under 15 ft tall and 3 ft wide. Always measure your planting corridor and choose a cultivar whose mature dimensions fit without aggressive annual pruning.
Hardiness Zone Range
Emerald Green Arborvitae handles zones 3-8, the widest cold tolerance in the group. Thuja Green Giant and Nellie R. Stevens Holly cover zones 5-9. Blue Arrow Juniper thrives in zones 4-9. Matching the zone to your local climate is the single best predictor of long-term survival and growth speed.
FAQ
How far apart should I plant Thuja Green Giant for a quick privacy screen?
Will Emerald Green Arborvitae survive winter in zone 3?
Do Nellie R. Stevens Hollies need a male pollinator to produce berries?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best fast growing evergreens winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 18-Pack because it combines the highest starter count with proven genetics that push 3 feet per year. If you want established 2-foot starters with strong root systems, grab the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft 8-Pack. And for tight urban spaces where width is at a premium, nothing beats the Blue Arrow Juniper 10-Pack.