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Fast-growing evergreens are the backbone of an effective privacy screen, but picking the wrong variety—or the wrong size at planting—can leave you staring at bare spots for years. Real privacy demands dense foliage that reaches eye level quickly, hardy roots that survive your local winter, and a shape that fills the gap without swallowing your yard.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I’ve spent years combing through nursery catalogs, comparing USDA zone hardiness data, and analyzing aggregated owner feedback across dozens of species to identify the evergreens that actually deliver on their screening promise.
Whether you need a narrow column for a tight side yard or a broad pyramidal wall to block a two-story neighbor, this guide picks the best evergreen trees for privacy screening based on growth rate, mature dimensions, and real-world survivability.
How To Choose The Best Evergreen Trees For Privacy Screening
Selecting the right evergreen for a privacy screen is a multi-year decision. A fast grower like Thuja Green Giant can add 3 feet per year, while a slower variety like Emerald Green Arborvitae tops out at about 1 foot annually. The wrong choice means waiting five years for a visual block you needed in two. Base your pick on four factors: growth rate, mature dimensions, zone hardiness, and site conditions.
Growth Rate Per Year
This is the real-world speed at which your screen fills in. Species in the 2–5 feet-per-year range—like Thuja Green Giant and Leyland Cypress—build a solid wall fast. Slower growers (6–12 inches per year) create a denser, more manicured look but demand patience or a larger initial plant investment.
Mature Height and Spread
A tree that reaches 50 feet tall and 15 feet wide is excellent for a wide property line but will overwhelm a 6-foot side yard. Match the plant’s mature dimensions to your available space. Narrow columnar varieties like Blue Arrow Juniper (2–3 feet wide) work in tight corridors, while pyramidal forms like Thuja Green Giant need 12–16 feet of horizontal room.
USDA Zone Hardiness
Every evergreen has a survivable temperature range. Emerald Green Arborvitae thrives in zones 2–7 and can handle harsh northern winters; Thuja Green Giant tops out at zone 5 and may struggle in deep-freeze zone 4. If you plant outside the recommended zone, expect dieback or replacement costs.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2 ft. 8-Pack | Premium | Fast, tall property lines | 3–5 ft growth per year | Amazon |
| Thuja Green Giant (Florida Foliage) | Mid-Range | Bulk affordable hedging | 3 ft/year mature height | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Thuja Green Giant 3-Gal | Premium | Large-scale rapid screen | 30–50 ft mature height | Amazon |
| Blue Arrow Juniper 3-Pack | Mid-Range | Narrow, drought-prone spots | 2–3 ft mature width | Amazon |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae 1-Gal | Mid-Range | Small-space cold climate | Zones 2–7 hardiness | Amazon |
| Green Promise Farms Smargd Emerald Green Arborvitae 3-Gal | Premium | Formal, uniform hedges | 18–20 ft mature height | Amazon |
| 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (Panter Nursery) | Budget | High-volume economical windbreak | 10 plants per pack | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2ft. Tall 8-Pack
This eight-pack from Perfect Plants offers the highest value density for a serious privacy screen. Each tree starts at roughly 2 feet tall with a well-developed root system, and the Thuja Green Giant variety is famous for adding 3 to 5 feet of height per year once established. Multiple buyers report successful cross-country shipping with no damage, thanks to heavy-duty packaging that protects the root ball and foliage.
The pyramidal shape reaches 50 to 60 feet at full maturity with a 15- to 20-foot base spread, making this set ideal for long property lines where you need a tall, dense wall. The foliage releases a classic Christmas-tree scent when crushed, and the trees require little maintenance after the first growing season. One reviewer noted that not every stem was exactly 2 feet, but all were close enough to produce a uniform screen with minimal gap.
While the mature size is impressive, these trees need spacing of at least 12 feet apart for proper airflow and root development. Planting them too tightly will cause lower branch dieback and reduce the density of your privacy screen. For the price per tree and the growth speed, this pack delivers the fastest return on investment for a large-scale project.
What works
- Excellent packaging ensures live delivery even cross-country.
- Fast growth rate (3–5 ft/year) builds a screen quickly.
- Low maintenance after establishment; pruning optional.
What doesn’t
- Mature spread of 15–20 ft requires ample space.
- Not all trees reach exactly 2 ft at arrival; some are slightly shorter.
2. Thuja Green Giant | 3 Live Plants
Florida Foliage delivers a trio of Thuja Green Giants that are among the most affordable entry points into a fast-growing screen. Multiple buyers have ordered upward of 40 to 200 of these trees, reporting roughly 95 percent survival with consistent irrigation and proper planting. The trees arrive in plug form with active root systems, ready for immediate up-potting or direct ground planting after frost danger passes.
Owner feedback highlights the importance of irrigation during the first month: this variety demands consistent moisture until the roots establish. Several reviewers describe seeing over 1 foot of new growth within four months of spring planting, a strong signal that these trees will hit that 3-foot annual pace once settled. The feathery, vibrant green foliage forms a dense visual barrier that stays green year-round.
The low price per plant makes this a compelling choice for bulk hedging projects, but the trees arrive relatively small—typically 6 to 10 inches. Expect some size variation within a batch, and factor in a year of growth before the screen reaches waist height. If you are patient and can water regularly, the savings add up quickly across a long property line.
What works
- Very low per-plant cost for bulk ordering.
- High survival rate with drip irrigation.
- Fast growth after first month of establishment.
What doesn’t
- Some trees arrive small (6–10 inches).
- Shipping delays in heat can reduce viability.
3. Green Promise Farms Thuja Green Giant 3-Gallon
Green Promise Farms sells this Thuja Green Giant in a 3-gallon container with a fully rooted 30-inch plant that can go straight into the ground. The 3-gallon size gives you a substantial head start over smaller plug shipments—these trees already have a branched structure and a root mass that reduces transplant shock. Multiple buyers received healthy, bright green specimens that established quickly even in rough soil conditions.
This variety tops out at 30 to 50 feet tall with a 12- to 16-foot spread, making it a true giant that will block two-story views effectively. The recommended spacing of 12–16 feet allows each tree to develop a robust pyramidal shape without crowding. Reviewers consistently praise the plant’s adaptability, noting that it thrives in both partial shade and full sun across zones 4 through 8.
If you need a single anchor specimen or want to fill one gap in an existing line, the head start justifies the cost. For a long row, this can become expensive, but the immediate visual impact is unmatched compared to smaller starter sizes.
What works
- Large 3-gallon container reduces time to privacy.
- Thrives in zones 4–8 with minimal maintenance.
- Fast growth once in ground; up to 3 ft per year.
What doesn’t
- Higher per-plant cost for large-scale projects.
- Box often arrives crushed; check plant promptly.
4. Blue Arrow Juniper 3-Pack
The Blue Arrow Juniper is a narrow columnar evergreen that stays only 2 to 3 feet wide at maturity while reaching 12 to 15 feet tall. This makes it the best choice for tight side yards, fence lines, or any spot where a wide pyramidal tree would overgrow the space. The blue-green foliage holds its color year-round and provides a dense visual screen in a very slim footprint.
Florida Foliage ships this as a three-pack of young plants that typically arrive 6 to 12 inches tall. Despite the small initial size, reviewers report that the junipers establish rapidly and survive extreme heat once in the ground for a few months. The species is drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established, needing only occasional water even during dry spells.
Be aware that these arrive much smaller than expected for some buyers—one reviewer described them as “scraggly” at first. However, after three months in the ground, the same reviewer noted they had become hearty and thriving. If you want an instant screen at eye level, order larger specimens; if you can wait a season, the value per plant is excellent.
What works
- Extremely narrow 2–3 ft width fits tight spaces.
- Drought-tolerant and low maintenance after establishment.
- Attractive blue-green color holds all year.
What doesn’t
- Initial size is small (6–12 inches) at arrival.
- Not ideal for cold northern zones below zone 3.
5. Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae 1-Gal
The Emerald Green Arborvitae from Perfect Plants is one of the few evergreens that thrives in USDA zones 2 through 7, surviving winter lows that would kill a Thuja Green Giant. It reaches a manageable 14 feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it a natural fit for suburban yards where space is constrained but a full privacy hedge is still needed. The columnar form stays tight without heavy pruning.
Buyers consistently praise the packaging and the condition of the tree upon arrival—multiple reviewers received plants that looked fresh and healthy even after days in transit. The 1-gallon pot size gives you a plant roughly 1.5 to 2 feet tall, a decent starting size for a species that grows about 1 foot per year. The deer resistance is a significant bonus for rural properties where browsing pressure is high.
Because this arborvitae grows slower than the Green Giant, you will need patience or a shorter spacing distance to fill in a screen quickly. One negative review involved receiving fertilizer instead of the plant, which appears to be an isolated shipping error. For northern gardeners who want a dense, compact hedge that survives harsh winters, this is the top contender.
What works
- Excellent cold hardiness down to zone 2.
- Compact 4-ft width suits small properties.
- Deer-resistant foliage for rural settings.
What doesn’t
- Slower growth rate (about 1 ft per year).
- Single plant per purchase; hedge requires multiple.
6. Green Promise Farms Smargd Emerald Green Arborvitae 3-Gal
The Smargd (Emerald Green) Arborvitae from Green Promise Farms arrives in a 3-gallon container at roughly 30 inches tall, giving it a commanding head start over 1-gallon competitors. This variety reaches 18 to 20 feet tall with a spread of 5 to 6 feet—taller and slightly wider than the standard Emerald Green, which makes it a strong pick for property owners who need height but have moderate lateral space.
Customer feedback highlights the plant’s health and symmetry upon arrival, with several buyers noting that the box was beaten up but the tree itself emerged undamaged and vibrant. The soft emerald foliage retains its color through winter dormancy, providing a consistent visual barrier in all seasons. Planting in full sun to partial shade yields the densest growth, and the upright narrow habit requires little to no shaping.
The 12-pound weight and 3-gallon soil volume mean this tree ships with a serious root system that establishes quickly. The primary drawback is the same as with any 3-gallon specimen: the cost per tree is higher than plug alternatives. If you want an instant visual impact without waiting a full growing season, the size at delivery justifies the premium.
What works
- Large 30-inch plant at delivery with strong root ball.
- Taller mature height (18–20 ft) than standard Emerald.
- Consistent emerald color through winter.
What doesn’t
- Premium per-tree cost for large hedges.
- Some buyers found size slightly smaller than expected for the price.
7. 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae (Panter Nursery)
Panter Nursery offers a ten-pack of Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae that is the most aggressive volume option in this roundup for the lowest per-plant price. Each tree ships as a potted plant in its container, and the species is rated to grow 3 feet per year once established. The mature height of 40 feet and 15-foot width makes this a serious screening plant for long, open property lines.
Reviewers report that the trees arrive promptly and in good condition, with many noting that the plants doubled in size within a year when given regular water and occasional fertilizer. The recommended spacing of 6 to 7 feet apart for a quicker screen means this ten-pack covers 60 to 70 linear feet of hedge line. Buyers in zones 5 through 9 have had the most success, with one owner in North Missouri reporting healthy growth through a full winter.
The 5-day guarantee from the nursery covers only plants purchased for their recommended zone, so check your USDA zone before ordering. Deer may browse the small plants in winter, so fencing is advisable for the first year. For pure quantity at the lowest cost, this pack delivers the most trees per dollar for a large hedging project.
What works
- Lowest per-plant cost for large-scale planting.
- Fast 3 ft/year growth rate builds screen quickly.
- 10 plants provide 60–70 ft of hedge at recommended spacing.
What doesn’t
- 5-day guarantee limited to correct zones.
- Deer can damage young trees; fencing may be needed.
Hardware & Specs Guide
Growth Rate Per Year
Growth rate determines how quickly a privacy screen reaches eye level. Thuja Green Giant varieties lead the category at 3–5 feet per year under optimal conditions, while Emerald Green Arborvitae and Blue Arrow Juniper grow about 1 foot annually. Factor in your timeline: if you need a 6-foot screen in two years, choose a 3+ foot-per-year species. If you can wait five years, a slower grower may produce denser foliage.
Mature Height and Spread
Mature dimensions dictate how much space your screen will occupy. Thuja Green Giant can hit 50 feet tall and 15–20 feet wide, requiring 12–16 feet between trees. Emerald Green Arborvitae stays under 20 feet tall and 4–5 feet wide, suiting smaller lots. Blue Arrow Juniper is the narrowest option at 2–3 feet wide. Always measure your planting zone twice—mature spread is the dimension most often underestimated by first-time buyers.
FAQ
Which evergreen grows fastest for privacy screening?
How far apart should I plant evergreens for a privacy screen?
Will these evergreens survive full shade?
What is the best cold-hardy evergreen for privacy?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners, the best evergreen trees for privacy screening winner is the Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 2 ft. 8-Pack because it combines a fast 3–5 foot annual growth rate with an eight-plant bundle that fills a long property line efficiently. If you need a narrow, drought-tolerant screen for a tight side yard, grab the Blue Arrow Juniper 3-Pack. And for northern climates that demand extreme cold hardiness, nothing beats the Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae 1-Gal.