Choosing the best privacy plants for a backyard means balancing the screen you want with the space, climate, and care you can provide. I rank the 3–4-foot Thuja Green Giant first for buyers who want a substantial starter plant with a planting guide, while the Emerald Green Arborvitae is a better match for a narrower hedge in colder zones. For a long boundary, the 18-pack of Green Giant liners offers a ready-made quantity, though its seedlings need time and room to grow.
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These picks are all evergreen Thuja or arborvitae, so the main differences are not flowers or seasonal color; they are plant size, quantity, and mature spread. A Green Giant can become a towering screen, which is useful along a large property line but burdensome in a small yard. Emerald Green grows to a more restrained stated width, yet is limited to cooler growing zones. I explain those tradeoffs below so you can match the plant to your backyard rather than choosing by growth claims alone.
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Key Takeaways
- Best general-purpose starter: The 3–4-foot Thuja Green Giant arrives larger than the liner options and includes fertilizer and a planting guide, but its 20–40-foot mature height demands planning.
- Best for a narrow, cold-climate hedge: Emerald Green Arborvitae is listed for USDA zones 2–7 and a mature width of 4 feet, unlike the larger-spreading Green Giants.
- Best for a long screen: The 18-pack provides the largest stated planting quantity, but the plants are liners and the listing notes a mature width of up to 20 feet.
- Best when buying ten plants: The 10-count Green Giant set suits buyers who want multiple plants without ordering 18, with frequent watering needed during the first month.
- Plan for the mature footprint: Green Giant sizes vary across the listings, and the plants can become very large; check the specific listing and reserve room before planting.
| Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide |  | Best Overall — a larger starter plant with practical setup support | Plant size on arrival: 3–4 feet | Mature height: 20–40 feet | Mature width: 12–20 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae – 1 Gallon Privacy Hedge |  | Best for Narrow Hedges — a more restrained screen for cooler zones | Container size: 1 gallon | Stated mature height: Up to 14 feet | Stated mature width: Up to 4 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack |  | Best for Long Boundaries — quantity for a large screen or windbreak | Pack size: 18 individual liners | Potential mature height: Up to 60 feet | Potential mature width: Up to 20 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count |  | Best for a Mid-Size Multi-Plant Order — ten evergreens for screening | Quantity: 10 plants | Plant type: Evergreen shrub and hedge | Scientific name: Thuja standishii × plicata | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| privacy plants for backyard | Sun exposure | Water needs | USDA hardiness zones | Foliage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate watering | — | — |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Full sun | — | 2–7 | Emerald green, evergreen |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | — | — | 5–9 | Dense, dark green evergreen |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | Full sun to partial shade | Frequent, consistent watering during the first month | — | — |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide
This is my best overall pick for a buyer who wants a meaningful start on a backyard screen without ordering a tray of small liners. The stated 3–4-foot size gives it an immediate presence compared with the 18-pack, whose plants are described as liners, and the included fertilizer and planting guide help make initial setup more approachable. It suits a buyer looking for an evergreen screen that can also serve as a landscape accent while it grows.
The tradeoff is scale. Its stated mature height is 20–40 feet, with a possible width of 12–20 feet. That is far more tree than a compact boundary planting needs, and pruning cannot be treated as a substitute for selecting a plant that fits the available space. Emerald Green is the better comparison for a tighter hedge: its listing gives a 14-foot height and 4-foot width, while this Green Giant needs considerably more room. This option is listed for USDA zones 5–9, so it also gives up Emerald Green’s colder-zone reach.
The Green Giant’s stated tolerance for full sun to partial shade and adaptability to varied soils make it more flexible than a full-sun-only planting plan, but new plants still need appropriate establishment care. The listing recommends moderate watering and describes the plant as low maintenance once established. I would choose it for a spacious yard with enough setback from fences, paths, and structures; I would skip it for a small lot where a tall, broad evergreen would quickly crowd the space.
Pros:- Arrives as a stated 3–4-foot plant rather than a liner.
- Includes fertilizer and a planting guide to support setup.
- Evergreen foliage suits year-round screening.
- Listed for full sun to partial shade and several soil types.
Cons:- Mature dimensions of 20–40 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide can overwhelm small yards.
- Its zone 5–9 range excludes colder regions that Emerald Green can serve.
Best for: Backyard owners in USDA zones 5–9 who want one larger starter plant, appreciate the included planting guide and fertilizer, and have room for a tall, wide evergreen.
Not ideal for: Small yards, tight property lines, colder climates outside zones 5–9, or buyers who need an instant continuous hedge from a single plant.
- Plant size on arrival:3–4 feet
- Mature height:20–40 feet
- Mature width:12–20 feet
- Growing zones:USDA zones 5–9
- Sun exposure:Full sun to partial shade
- Water needs:Moderate watering
- Included items:Fertilizer and planting guide
Our verdict“I recommend this Green Giant as the most balanced starter for a spacious zone 5–9 backyard, but not for a narrow planting strip.”
Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae – 1 Gallon Privacy Hedge
Emerald Green is the strongest choice in this group when a backyard needs a narrower evergreen boundary rather than a towering windbreak. Its listed mature dimensions—up to 14 feet tall and 4 feet wide—are more manageable than the 12–20-foot spread given for the single Green Giant or the up-to-20-foot width listed for the 18-pack. That distinction matters near patios, paths, and property edges where a broad tree could take over usable space.
Its climate range is another clear advantage: USDA zones 2–7 reach colder areas than the Green Giant listings, which are limited to zones 5–9. This makes Emerald Green the more plausible match for many northern yards, though the listing warns that first-year plants may need extra winter protection. It is not a carefree winter planting from day one. The product is sold in a 1-gallon container, so buyers should also think of it as a plant to establish and grow into a screen, not as an instant mature hedge.
Compared with the 3–4-foot Green Giant, Emerald Green trades the larger stated arrival size and included setup materials for a more contained mature profile and wider cold-climate range. It is listed for full sun, regular watering, and sandy soil, so buyers with a shady site or a different soil profile should check whether the planting location suits it. Its stated drought and deer resistance can reduce some ongoing pressures after establishment, but they do not remove the need for care while young. I would pass on it if I wanted a tall, broad screen quickly or needed a plant listed for zones 8–9.
Pros:- Listed for USDA zones 2–7, extending into colder climates.
- Stated mature width of 4 feet is narrower than the Green Giant options.
- Evergreen foliage supports year-round screening.
- Described as drought tolerant and deer resistant after establishment.
Cons:- First-year plants may need extra winter protection.
- Full-sun listing and regular watering needs may not match every backyard.
- The 1-gallon size requires time to grow into a substantial screen.
Best for: Buyers in USDA zones 2–7 seeking a year-round screen with a stated 4-foot mature width for a narrower backyard border.
Not ideal for: Buyers in zones 8–9, shaded yards, or anyone expecting a large, ready-made screen from a 1-gallon plant.
- Container size:1 gallon
- Stated mature height:Up to 14 feet
- Stated mature width:Up to 4 feet
- USDA hardiness zones:2–7
- Sun exposure:Full sun
- Soil type:Sandy soil
- Moisture needs:Regular watering
- Foliage:Emerald green, evergreen
Our verdict“I would choose Emerald Green over a Green Giant when cold hardiness and a narrower mature hedge matter more than maximum height.”
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack
For a long backyard boundary, this listing’s main advantage is straightforward: 18 individual liners let a buyer plan a multi-plant screen from one product. The plants are described as dense, dark green, and pyramidal, with a wide-bottomed form suited to screening and windbreaks. Against the single 3–4-foot Green Giant, this is the better match for a project that needs many plants rather than one larger specimen.
That quantity comes with a different starting point. These are liners, not a row of mature hedging, so buyers should expect an establishment and growth period before the planting offers substantial privacy. The listing gives a possible mature height of up to 60 feet and width of up to 20 feet—dimensions that call for serious spacing and site planning. Compared with Emerald Green, this Green Giant has much greater potential height and spread but a narrower climate range of USDA zones 5–9. Pruning can shape the plants, but does not make an oversized planting appropriate for a cramped yard.
This is my pick for a larger property where the buyer can accommodate the eventual footprint and wants a quantity-focused screen or windbreak. It is less suitable for someone who needs a narrow, consistently controlled hedge or is unwilling to care for multiple young plants as they establish. There is also a firm shipping limitation: the listing excludes California and Arizona. Check that restriction before planning around the pack, and confirm spacing guidance from the seller or a local horticultural source since the listing does not specify recommended distances between plants.
Pros:- Eighteen individual liners support a longer multi-plant project.
- Dense evergreen foliage and a pyramidal form suit screening and windbreaks.
- Can be pruned to shape as the hedge develops.
- Listed as low maintenance once established.
Cons:- Liners need time to grow before they provide substantial screening.
- Potential mature size of up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide requires ample room.
- Cannot ship to California or Arizona.
Best for: Owners of large properties in USDA zones 5–9 who need many plants for a long privacy boundary or windbreak and can wait for liners to grow.
Not ideal for: Small yards, buyers seeking a mature screen on arrival, residents of California or Arizona, or gardeners who cannot accommodate a potentially very large mature tree.
- Pack size:18 individual liners
- Potential mature height:Up to 60 feet
- Potential mature width:Up to 20 feet
- USDA hardiness zones:5–9
- Growth habit:Wide-bottomed pyramidal
- Foliage:Dense, dark green evergreen
- Shipping restriction:Cannot ship to California or Arizona
Our verdict“I recommend the 18-pack for a large, patient planting project, not for a compact yard or an immediate privacy fix.”
Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count
This 10-count set fits between the single Green Giant and the 18-pack: it supplies multiple plants for a hedge or windbreak without committing to the largest quantity in this roundup. The listing describes the plants as adaptable to full sun to partial shade and varied soil types, which gives this set useful flexibility for backyard layouts that do not have uniform exposure across the planting line. Its evergreen foliage is suited to year-round screening.
The listing provides less sizing information than the other Green Giant choices. It does not state an arrival height or mature dimensions, so I would not assume these plants match the 3–4-foot single plant or the liner pack in size. That missing information makes it harder to compare how soon the 10 plants might provide a visual barrier. Before ordering, I would confirm plant size and spacing details with the seller; the stated quantity alone does not tell you whether ten plants cover the length of your fence.
Early watering is the clearest care requirement: consistent, frequent watering during the first month is recommended. That is a more specific establishment instruction than the moderate-watering description on the larger single Green Giant listing. Compared with the 18-pack, this set supplies fewer plants, but may make more sense for a shorter screen or a buyer who wants to plant in smaller stages. I would choose it when a ten-plant order suits the project and the buyer can stay attentive during establishment. I would skip it if exact mature dimensions, a specified hardiness range, or a clearly stated arrival size are necessary to plan the hedge confidently.
Pros:- Ten plants support a multi-plant privacy screen or windbreak.
- Evergreen foliage provides year-round greenery.
- Listed as suitable for full sun to partial shade.
- Described as adaptable to a variety of soil types.
Cons:- The listing does not specify plant height on arrival or mature dimensions.
- Frequent, consistent watering is recommended during the first month.
- No USDA hardiness-zone range is provided in the supplied specifications.
Best for: Backyard owners who need ten evergreen plants for a screen or windbreak, can water frequently during the first month, and will verify size and spacing before planting.
Not ideal for: Buyers who need documented mature dimensions, a stated hardiness-zone range, or an arrival size to calculate the screen’s coverage in advance.
- Quantity:10 plants
- Plant type:Evergreen shrub and hedge
- Scientific name:Thuja standishii × plicata
- Sun exposure:Full sun to partial shade
- Soil adaptability:Various soil types
- Water needs:Frequent, consistent watering during the first month
- Outdoor use:Yes
Our verdict“I would pick this ten-plant set for a moderate-sized project only after confirming the missing size and hardiness details.”
How We Picked
I compared these four listings as backyard privacy-screen plants, not as ornamental shrubs in isolation. That made the most useful distinctions the stated hardiness zones, mature size, growth form, and number or size of plants supplied. I also looked at early care needs, because a hedge can fail to fill in well if the planting plan does not account for watering and establishment.
The order reflects how broadly useful each option is for a buyer who wants a backyard screen. The 3–4-foot Green Giant takes the first spot because it arrives as a larger plant and includes fertilizer and a planting guide, while still carrying the important caveat that it can become extremely tall and wide. Emerald Green ranks close behind for its more contained listed width and colder-zone range, but that makes it a specialized choice rather than the best fit for every yard. The 18-pack and 10-count set are ranked for quantity-based projects; their appeal depends on how many plants you need and how much time and space you can devote to establishing them.
I have not treated “fast-growing” as a guarantee of a finished screen by a particular date. The listings do not provide a shared growth rate, spacing plan, or exact time to mature, and Green Giant dimensions differ between listings. I therefore describe the stated ranges as planning information, not a promise that plants will reach them on a set schedule. Before ordering, buyers should confirm local growing conditions, available planting space, shipping eligibility, and the current product details.
| privacy plants for backyard | Sun exposure | Water needs | Foliage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate watering | — |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Full sun | — | Emerald green, evergreen |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | — | — | Dense, dark green evergreen |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | Full sun to partial shade | Frequent, consistent watering during the first month | — |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Privacy Plants For Backyard
Privacy planting works best when the plant’s mature footprint, climate range, and establishment needs match the actual yard. I would make those checks before deciding how many plants to order: a long line of evergreens can still become an awkward screen if the trees outgrow the available width or struggle in the local climate.
Match the plant to your climate
Start with your local USDA hardiness zone, then compare it with the listing. The Emerald Green Arborvitae is listed for zones 2–7, while both Green Giant listings that provide a range specify zones 5–9. That makes Emerald Green the more relevant candidate for a colder yard, whereas Green Giant is the choice among these products for a milder zone 8 or 9. The 10-count listing does not supply a zone range in the provided details, so I would verify its local suitability with the seller before ordering. A plant’s hardiness range is only one part of site fit, but ignoring it can rule out a screen before it gets established.
Measure the mature width, not only the planting line
A young plant can look small beside a fence and later occupy much more space than expected. The listings give Emerald Green a stated width of 4 feet, compared with 12–20 feet for the single Green Giant and up to 20 feet for the 18-pack liners. Those figures make Emerald Green the clearest match for a narrower border. Green Giant can suit a broad property edge or windbreak, but its mature size may conflict with walkways, fences, neighboring plants, or overhead structures. Before digging, map the row and leave room for the plants’ potential spread. Ask the seller or a local nursery about spacing; these listings do not provide one shared spacing recommendation.
Choose quantity and starting size for the project
The product format affects how quickly a planting can begin to feel like a screen, but it does not guarantee an instant privacy wall. The 3–4-foot single Green Giant is the only listing with a stated arrival height. The 18-pack offers the largest number of plants, but describes them as liners; the 10-count listing gives no arrival height. Emerald Green is supplied in a 1-gallon container. I would compare the actual screen length with seller guidance on spacing before selecting a pack size. More plants are not automatically better if they will be crowded as they mature, and one larger plant cannot form a continuous hedge by itself.
Treat establishment care as part of the purchase
Even plants described as low maintenance need care while roots establish. The 10-count Green Giant listing specifically recommends frequent, consistent watering during the first month; Emerald Green calls for regular watering, while the single Green Giant listing describes moderate watering. The 18-pack is described as low maintenance once established, but that does not mean new liners can be left unattended. Check each product’s instructions, prepare the planting area, and plan how you will water the full row. Emerald Green also carries a first-year winter-protection caution, a relevant point for buyers in colder climates.
Check listing details and restrictions before planting
Specifications are not equally complete across these options. The 10-count Green Giant listing lacks mature dimensions and a hardiness range, so those details matter before committing to a layout. Green Giant mature heights also differ between listings: one gives 20–40 feet, while the liner pack says up to 60 feet. Treat those as listing-specific descriptions and confirm the details of the exact item you plan to buy. The liner pack also cannot ship to California or Arizona. Verify shipping eligibility, plant size, and guidance suited to your region before planning a full hedge around any one listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these privacy plants is best for a narrow backyard border?
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the clearest fit among these four for a narrower border because its listing gives a mature width of up to 4 feet. The Green Giant options list much larger potential widths, including 12–20 feet for the single plant and up to 20 feet for the liner pack. Check the final planting location and local growing conditions, and do not treat a narrow listed width as a guarantee that a plant can be placed immediately beside a fence or path.
Which option is listed for the coldest growing zones?
The 1-gallon Emerald Green Arborvitae is listed for USDA zones 2–7, while the Green Giant products with stated zones are listed for zones 5–9. Emerald Green therefore covers colder zones in this comparison. Its listing also warns that first-year plants may need extra winter protection, so buyers in cold areas should account for establishment care rather than relying on the zone range alone.
Which product makes the most sense for a long property line?
The 18-pack of Thuja Green Giant liners supplies the largest stated quantity and is specifically described for a privacy screen or windbreak. It is suited to a large project where buyers can give young liners room and time to grow. Because the plants may reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide, I would check spacing and mature footprint carefully; the pack also cannot ship to California or Arizona.
Will any of these options provide a fully grown privacy wall right away?
None of the listings promises a fully grown, continuous screen on arrival. The single Green Giant is listed at 3–4 feet, Emerald Green comes in a 1-gallon container, the 18-pack contains liners, and the 10-count listing does not state arrival height. A row also needs multiple plants placed at suitable intervals to screen a boundary. I would confirm each plant’s size and ask for spacing guidance before assuming how much privacy a particular order will provide at the outset.
How much watering do newly planted Thuja and arborvitae need?
Follow the care directions for the exact product and conditions in your yard. The 10-count Green Giant listing recommends frequent, consistent watering for the first month; Emerald Green lists regular watering, and the single Green Giant lists moderate watering. The liner listing describes low maintenance once established, not an absence of early care. Soil, weather, and drainage affect watering needs, so check moisture at the root area and use seller or local nursery guidance rather than applying the same schedule to every site.
Conclusion
For most buyers with room for a large evergreen, I would start with the 3–4-foot Thuja Green Giant: it arrives larger than the liner options and includes a planting guide and fertilizer. If you garden in a colder zone or need a narrower hedge, choose Emerald Green Arborvitae instead, while planning for its smaller container size and possible first-year winter protection. For a long boundary or windbreak, the 18-pack of liners suits a patient buyer with plenty of land; for a ten-plant project, consider the 10-count set after confirming the missing size and zone information. In every case, match the plant to your growing zone, allow for its mature spread, and plan for consistent care during establishment.
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