Which Arborvitae is Right for my Hedge?
Compare the four most common arborvitae varieties for hedges to see which is the right choice for your landscape.
Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis
Where Developed: Woodstock, Georgia
Native to: Eastern North America
Height: 15 – 20′
Width: 3 – 5′
Growth Rate: Very fast
Color: Green in summer and winter
Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 3 to 8
Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 8
Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis
Where Developed: Grand Haven, Michigan
Native to: Eastern North America
Height: 12 – 15′
Width: 3 – 5′
Growth Rate: Fast
Color: Green in summer and winter
Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 3 to 7
Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 8
Botanical Name: Thuja standishii x T. plicata
Where Developed: U.S. National Arboretum by way of Denmark
Native to: Hybrid of Japanese and Western North American Species
Height: 50 – 60′
Width: 15 – 20′
Growth Rate: Fast
Color: Green in summer and bronze in winter
Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 5 to 8
Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 4 – 5
Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis
Where Developed: Denmark
Native to: Eastern North America
Height: 12 – 14′
Width: 3 – 4′
Growth Rate: Medium
Color: Green in summer, some yellow in winter in cold areas
Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 3 to 7
Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 8 – 9
| Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar' | 'Green Giant' | Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd') | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Botanical Name
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
Thuja occidentalis
|
'Green Giant'
Thuja standishii x T. plicata
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
Thuja occidentalis
|
|
Where Developed
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
Woodstock, Georgia
|
'Green Giant'
U.S. National Arboretum by way of Denmark
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
Denmark
|
|
Native to
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
Eastern North America
|
'Green Giant'
Hybrid of Japanese and Western North American Species
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
Eastern North America
|
|
Height
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
15 - 20'
|
'Green Giant'
50 - 60'
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
12 - 14'
|
|
Width
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
3 - 5'
|
'Green Giant'
15 - 20'
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
3 - 4'
|
|
Growth Rate
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
Fast
|
'Green Giant'
Fast
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
Medium
|
|
Color
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
Green in Summer and Winter
|
'Green Giant'
Green in Summer and Bronze in Winter
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
Green in Summer, Some Yellow in Winter in Cold Areas
|
|
Hardiness/Heat Tolerance
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
USDA Zone 3 / USDA Zone 7
|
'Green Giant'
USDA Zone 5 / USDA Zone 8
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
USDA Zone 3 / USDA Zone 7
|
|
Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge
|
Full Speed a Hedge 'American Pillar'
8
|
'Green Giant'
4 - 5
|
Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd')
8 - 9
|