Discover durable, low-maintenance evergreens that create year-round privacy and wind protection. This guide reviews five top choices, focusing on fast growth, dense foliage, and suitability for American landscapes. Each product includes a link to Amazon for easy comparison and a visual reference to help you plan your privacy screen.
| Product | Brand | Type | Privacy Strength | Typical Size (when mature) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Green Arborvitae Evergreen Privacy Tree (1-4 Feet Tall) – No Shipping West of Colorado | Tree Tots | Arborvitae | Dense evergreen foliage | Up to 14-16 ft tall |
| Four Pack of Emerald Arborvitaes – Evergreen Privacy Hedge | DAS Farms | Arborvitae | Ready-to-plant privacy hedge | 1-2 ft shipped per plant; grows larger |
| PERFECT PLANTS Thuja Green Giant 3 Gallon | PERFECT PLANTS | Thuja Green Giant | Dense, fast-growing privacy | Up to 40+ ft tall, 20 ft wide |
| Leyland Cypress – Fast Growing Evergreen Tree | Eureka Farms | Leyland Cypress | Very rapid growth; strong privacy | Typically 4-5 ft tall shipping; larger when mature |
| PERFECT PLANTS Thuja Green Giant Plant 18-Pack | PERFECT PLANTS | Thuja Green Giant | Bulk privacy screening | Group of liners grows into a dense screen |
Emerald Green Arborvitae Privacy Tree – 1-4 Feet
The Emerald Green Arborvitae from Tree Tots offers year-round privacy with dense evergreen foliage. While primarily used as a screen, these trees can reach a tall stature over time, creating a natural living fence. They are described as low maintenance with minimal pruning requirements, making them suitable for homeowners seeking a straightforward privacy solution that adapts to many yard layouts.
Key features: evergreen foliage, tall growth potential, and low-maintenance care. Consider site conditions, including sun exposure and space, to plan an effective screen over several seasons.
Four Pack Emerald Arborvitaes – Privacy Hedge
This four-pack provides a ready-to-plant privacy hedge with multiple young plants shipped at 1–2 feet tall. The description notes that planting should follow included instructions, and highlights the winter behavior of deciduous varieties. Suitable for zones 3–8 with full to part sun, these shrubs establish a privacy row quickly, though arrival may vary by season and shipping restrictions apply to certain regions.
Considerations: match to climate zone, plan for eventual mature height, and ensure ongoing maintenance including weed control and seasonal irrigation as needed for best establishment.
PERFECT PLANTS Thuja Green Giant 1 Gallon 5-Pack
The Thuja Green Giant is noted as a premier, fast-growing privacy tree for much of the United States. With dense foliage that carries a Christmas-tree scent when leaves are broken, this plant grows in a pyramidal shape and can reach substantial mature sizes. It is suitable for pruning to maintain a preferred height and width, offering a scalable privacy solution for varying yard sizes.
Key considerations: assess growth potential to determine spacing, monitor for regional shipping restrictions (including CA and AZ prohibitions), and plan for long-term maintenance to keep the screen dense and evenly shaped.
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant 3 Gallon
This larger Thuja Green Giant option emphasizes rapid privacy growth—up to about 3 feet per year—with a mature size around 40 feet tall and 20 feet wide. It’s presented as versatile for use as a single privacy specimen, a dense screen, or a living frame for garden spaces. Potential buyers should be aware of state shipping restrictions to California and Arizona and plan spacing to achieve an even, lush barrier over time.
Evaluation notes: high growth rate makes it ideal for rapid screening, but adult size requirements should be considered in tight spaces. Regular pruning helps maintain a controlled silhouette while preserving privacy density.
Leyland Cypress – Fast Growing Privacy Tree
The Leyland Cypress is described as farm-grown with robust health and rapid growth, yielding a dense, dark green presence for year-round privacy. With growth rates cited at up to about 5 feet per year, it provides a strong option for quickly establishing a windbreak or screen. This species is commonly used in larger landscapes and requires space to mature to its full width and height.
Practical considerations include spacing to minimize crowding, protection from harsh winter winds, and eventual thinning as the screen fills in to avoid overgrowth and ensure airflow.
PERFECT PLANTS Thuja Green Giant Plant 18-Pack
This 18-pack from Perfect Plants is designed for creating an instant privacy screen or windbreak. Each liner contributes to a dense, dark green canopy that can mature into a substantial barrier. The package note indicates shipping restrictions to California and Arizona, so plan accordingly. This bulk option is ideal for large-scale landscaping or quickly filling long borders with evergreen coverage.
Important considerations: confirm spacing for optimal canopy overlap, anticipate long-term maintenance like irrigation and pruning, and monitor for pests or disease to preserve screen density over years.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations For Privacy Screens
- Growth rate and mature size: Match species to available space. Fast-growers like Green Giant and Leyland Cypress establish privacy quickly but require room to reach full size.
- Climate and hardiness: Verify zone compatibility. Some shipments restrict certain states (CA, AZ), and some varieties tolerate a wide range of conditions, while others need specific sun exposure.
- Soil and drainage: Most evergreens prefer well-drained soil. Prepare beds with rich organic matter and ensure irrigation during establishment, especially in hot climates.
- Maintenance needs: Consider pruning frequency and endurance against pests, diseases, or winter burn. Low-maintenance varieties reduce ongoing work while still delivering dense screening.
- Screen density and spacing: Plan for the mature width to avoid gaps in privacy. Spacing recommendations vary by species; aim for overlapping canopies for a continuous hedge.
- Aesthetics and height target: Decide whether a uniform, formal screen or a more natural, varied look best fits your landscape design.
- Shipping restrictions and sourcing: Some listings prohibit shipping to certain states. Check local regulations and vendor terms before purchase.
- Cost and bulk options: Bulk packs or multi-plant orders can reduce per-plant costs and speed installation, especially for long fences or sizable lots.
- Site preparation: Clear weeds, mark irrigation lines, and consider weed fabric or mulch to protect younger plants and improve establishment.