Which Arborvitae is Right for my Hedge?
Though they may appear really similar at first glance, not all arborvitaes are the same! Some grow faster, some take up less space, and some, like Full Speed A Hedge arborvitaes, do both. our chart compares Full Speed A Hedge arborvitaes to the two most popular other arborvitaes – ‘Green Giant’ and ‘Emerald’ – so you can make the right choice for your hedge planting project.
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
|