For a backyard screen that stays green through winter, I’d start with Thuja Green Giant, 10 Count for planting a longer hedge, or the 3–4 ft Thuja Green Giant if you want a larger individual plant with fertilizer and a planting guide included. If your site is colder or your boundary is narrow, the Emerald Green Arborvitae offers a more compact stated footprint and hardiness in zones 2–7. These picks solve different privacy problems: more plants can cover more ground, larger starts may give you a head start, and narrower varieties can suit tighter layouts. The tradeoffs are real: every living screen needs time and establishment care, while mature size, climate, spacing, and shipping restrictions can rule out an otherwise appealing choice.
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I rank these options by how clearly they fit a backyard privacy job, how much useful planting information is provided, and what a buyer must accommodate as the plants mature. The Green Giants lead for broad screening potential, but they need room. Emerald Green is my compact-climate alternative, while the 18-pack liners make the most sense for buyers prioritizing quantity and willing to start with smaller liners.
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Key Takeaways
- Choose the 10-count Green Giant when your main goal is establishing a longer evergreen screen; the listing provides quantity but not a mature plant size.
- The 3–4 ft Green Giant is the clearest single-plant pick if you prefer a larger stated starting size and want fertilizer and a planting guide included.
- Emerald Green Arborvitae has the tightest stated footprint at up to 14 feet tall and 4 feet wide, with hardiness listed for zones 2–7.
- The 18-pack liners favor quantity over immediate size; their Green Giants can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide if left unpruned.
- Check climate, final spacing, and shipping limits first: Green Giant listings specify zones 5–9, Emerald Green specifies zones 2–7, and the liners cannot ship to California or Arizona.
| Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide |  | Best Overall: a larger stated start with practical planting support | Plant type: Evergreen shrub and hedge | Botanical name: Thuja ‘Green Giant’ | Starting height: 3–4 ft | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count |  | Best for a longer screen: ten evergreen plants in one set | Plant type: Evergreen shrub and hedge | Scientific name: Thuja standishii × plicata | Quantity: 10 plants | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae – 1 Gallon Privacy Hedge |  | Best for compact yards and colder listed zones | Plant type: Evergreen arborvitae | Container size: 1 gallon | Mature height: Up to 14 ft | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack |  | Best for high-volume planting: 18 liners for a large project | Plant type: Thuja Green Giant arborvitae | Pack size: 18 individual liners | Mature height: Up to 60 ft | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| privacy plants for backyard | Plant type | Mature height | Mature width | Hardiness zones |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Evergreen shrub and hedge | 20–40 ft | 12–20 ft | USDA zones 5–9 |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | Evergreen shrub and hedge | — | — | — |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Evergreen arborvitae | Up to 14 ft | Up to 4 ft | USDA zones 2–7 |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | Thuja Green Giant arborvitae | Up to 60 ft | Up to 20 ft | USDA zones 5–9 |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide
This is my best overall pick because it combines a specified 3–4 ft starting size with a privacy-focused, year-round evergreen habit and a planting guide. That information makes it easier to plan than the 10-count listing, which gives buyers more plants but no individual starting height in its supplied details. The included fertilizer and guide are useful if you are planting a first screen and want more direction at installation, though they cannot compensate for choosing the wrong site or spacing.
Green Giant suits a buyer with an open boundary who wants a substantial hedge or windbreak over time. The listing gives a mature range of 20–40 ft tall and 12–20 ft wide, so this is not a narrow border plant. Its size can help form a tall visual barrier, but it also means a small yard may require recurring pruning or a different species. The product is listed for USDA zones 5–9, full sun to partial shade, and moderate watering. Those specifics offer a clearer fit check than the 10-count product’s broad site adaptability, while the Emerald Green is the better match where a stated 4 ft mature width matters more.
The tradeoff is that this is a single plant, not a ready-made hedge pack. For a continuous screen, you will need to calculate how many plants your boundary requires and allow for growth rather than expecting one specimen to provide immediate coverage. Its tall potential, zone limits, and stated 15-day warranty also deserve a careful read before purchase. I’d choose it for a buyer who values a larger listed starting plant and planting support; I’d skip it for a cramped yard, a colder-than-zone-5 site, or someone who needs a full row in one order.
Pros:- Listed starting height of 3–4 ft gives a clearer size reference than the other Green Giant listings.
- Evergreen foliage is suited to year-round privacy screening and windbreaks.
- Includes fertilizer and a planting guide for installation support.
- Listed for full sun to partial shade and USDA zones 5–9.
Cons:- Sold as one plant, so a full hedge requires additional plants and spacing planning.
- Mature size of 20–40 ft tall and 12–20 ft wide can overwhelm a compact yard.
- The listed zone range excludes colder climates, and the stated warranty is 15 days.
Best for: Backyard owners in USDA zones 5–9 who want a 3–4 ft Green Giant start, can make room for a large mature plant, and value an included planting guide and fertilizer.
Not ideal for: Buyers needing a complete multi-plant hedge in one pack, gardeners with limited width or height, or anyone gardening outside zones 5–9.
- Plant type:Evergreen shrub and hedge
- Botanical name:Thuja ‘Green Giant’
- Starting height:3–4 ft
- Mature height:20–40 ft
- Mature width:12–20 ft
- Hardiness zones:USDA zones 5–9
- Light:Full sun to partial shade
- Water:Moderate
- Included:Fertilizer and planting guide
Our verdict“I’d choose this Green Giant for a roomy zone 5–9 yard where a larger stated start and planting support matter more than getting several plants in one pack.”
Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count
When the job is to plant a row rather than feature one specimen, this 10-count Green Giant set has the most immediately relevant format in the lineup. Ten plants can help buyers plan a larger hedge or windbreak in a single order, whereas the 3–4 ft option is one plant with more detailed size information. The quantity is the draw; the listing does not supply individual plant height or mature dimensions, so I would not assume these plants will create a finished-looking barrier on arrival.
The plants are described as suitable for privacy screens, windbreaks, and borders, with evergreen foliage for year-round greenery. They are listed for full sun to partial shade and a variety of soil types, which gives this set broader site flexibility in the supplied details than the single Green Giant listing’s named zone range. That does not remove the need to check local climate suitability: the listing does not provide a USDA zone range here. Compared with the 18-pack liners, this set has fewer plants but avoids the stated California and Arizona shipping restriction attached to that listing.
There is one clear establishment demand: the seller recommends consistent, frequent watering during the first month. That matters if you are planting during a dry spell or cannot tend the yard regularly. The pack also leaves planning questions unanswered, including individual size and spacing, so measure your boundary and confirm those details before ordering. I’d favor this set over the single plant when the project needs several evergreens, but choose the 3–4 ft plant if a known starting height and planting guide are more useful than pack size. It is not my pick for someone who wants a clearly specified mature footprint before committing.
Pros:- Ten plants suit a multi-plant privacy screen or windbreak better than a single specimen.
- Evergreen foliage offers a year-round screening framework.
- Listed for full sun to partial shade and varied soil types.
- The listing describes privacy, windbreak, and border uses.
Cons:- Individual starting size and mature dimensions are not supplied in the provided specifications.
- Requires consistent, frequent watering during the first month after planting.
- No USDA hardiness zone range is listed in the supplied product details.
Best for: Buyers who want several evergreen Green Giants for a backyard hedge or windbreak and can provide frequent watering during the first month.
Not ideal for: Gardeners who need a stated USDA zone range, individual plant height, mature dimensions, or a low-attention establishment period.
- Plant type:Evergreen shrub and hedge
- Scientific name:Thuja standishii × plicata
- Quantity:10 plants
- Light:Full sun to partial shade
- Soil adaptability:Various soil types
- Moisture needs:Regular watering
- Outdoor use:Yes
- Foliage color:Green
Our verdict“I’d choose the 10-count set when quantity is the priority, provided I can verify plant size and climate fit before planning the hedge.”
Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae – 1 Gallon Privacy Hedge
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the lineup’s more contained privacy option. Its stated mature size—up to 14 ft tall and 4 ft wide—sets it apart from both Green Giant choices, whose supplied mature widths reach 12–20 ft, and the 18-pack liners, which can grow much larger still. That narrower profile is useful when a backyard boundary has limited planting depth or when a row of broad trees would crowd a path or nearby planting. It gives up some of the scale associated with Green Giant, so I would not treat its compact footprint as a substitute for a tall, broad windbreak.
This listing specifies USDA zones 2–7, making it the climate-oriented pick for colder listed zones where the Green Giant products marked zones 5–9 are not the direct fit. It is described as evergreen, fast-growing, deer resistant, and drought tolerant, although the specifications also list regular watering. I’d read drought tolerance as a helpful trait after establishment, not a reason to neglect new plants. The one-gallon container gives a useful container-size reference, but the supplied details do not state a starting height or a guaranteed time to privacy.
Compared with the 3–4 ft Green Giant, this is the stronger choice when width and colder-zone compatibility lead the decision; the Green Giant is more compelling when a larger stated starting height and included planting guide matter. Emerald Green is also a single product listing rather than a specified multi-plant pack, so a complete row needs quantity and spacing calculations. The seller notes that first-year plants may need extra winter protection. I would skip this option for a zone 8 or 9 site based on the listed range, or for a buyer who wants a very wide, tall windbreak rather than a narrower hedge.
Pros:- Stated mature width of up to 4 ft suits narrower planting spaces better than Green Giant.
- Listed for USDA zones 2–7, extending the lineup’s stated fit into colder zones.
- Evergreen foliage is intended to provide year-round screening.
- Described as deer resistant and drought tolerant once established.
Cons:- The listing notes that first-year plants may need extra winter protection.
- One-gallon container size is given, but no starting height or screening timetable is specified.
- Its listed zones stop at 7, and its narrower habit may not suit buyers wanting a broad windbreak.
Best for: Gardeners in USDA zones 2–7 who need a narrower evergreen screen, have limited planting width, and can protect young plants as needed in their first winter.
Not ideal for: Buyers in zones 8–9, anyone seeking a broad windbreak, or shoppers who require a stated starting height or several plants per pack.
- Plant type:Evergreen arborvitae
- Container size:1 gallon
- Mature height:Up to 14 ft
- Mature width:Up to 4 ft
- Hardiness zones:USDA zones 2–7
- Light:Full sun
- Moisture needs:Regular watering
- Additional traits:Described as drought tolerant and deer resistant
Our verdict“I’d choose Emerald Green when a narrower hedge and the listed zone 2–7 range matter more than the larger scale of Green Giant.”
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack
This is the quantity-first choice: 18 Green Giant liners give a buyer a substantial number of plants for a screen or windbreak. If you are planting a long boundary, that pack size may be more useful than the 10-count set, while the single 3–4 ft plant is the clearer option when a larger stated starting height matters. The word “liners” is important here: the supplied listing does not state their starting height, so I would not compare them with the 3–4 ft plant as though their arrival size were equivalent.
The plants are described as having dense, dark green evergreen foliage and a wide-bottomed pyramidal habit. They can be pruned, and the listing says they need little maintenance once established. Yet their potential mature dimensions—up to 60 ft tall and 20 ft wide—are the largest stated in this roundup. Pruning can help manage shape, but I would not buy these for a tight boundary on the assumption that regular trimming will make a very large tree effortless to contain. Compared with Emerald Green’s stated 4 ft width, the liners need considerably more space and a more deliberate long-term plan.
This pick is best for a large property, windbreak, or long hedge where the buyer can confirm appropriate spacing and give the plants room to mature. It is limited to USDA zones 5–9 and cannot ship to California or Arizona, a restriction that rules it out outright for some buyers. The listing also leaves individual liner size unspecified, so confirm what to expect before calculating how quickly a screen might fill in. I’d choose it over the 10-pack only when the extra quantity suits the project and the shipping location is eligible; I’d skip it for a compact backyard or anyone wanting a narrower, low-pruning screen.
Pros:- Eighteen liners provide the largest listed plant quantity in this comparison.
- Dense evergreen foliage and a pyramidal habit suit screens and windbreaks.
- Can be pruned to help manage shape.
- Listed as low maintenance once established.
Cons:- Cannot ship to California or Arizona.
- Potential mature size of up to 60 ft tall and 20 ft wide requires substantial room and planning.
- Individual liner starting size is not stated in the supplied specifications.
Best for: Owners of large properties in USDA zones 5–9 who need a high quantity of Green Giants for a long screen or windbreak and have room for substantial mature plants.
Not ideal for: Buyers in California or Arizona, gardeners with narrow yards, or anyone who wants a stated liner height or a compact mature hedge.
- Plant type:Thuja Green Giant arborvitae
- Pack size:18 individual liners
- Mature height:Up to 60 ft
- Mature width:Up to 20 ft
- Growth habit:Wide-bottomed pyramidal
- Hardiness zones:USDA zones 5–9
- Foliage:Dense, dark green, evergreen
- Shipping restriction:Cannot ship to California or Arizona
Our verdict“I’d reserve this 18-pack for a large, eligible site where high plant quantity outweighs its uncertain liner size and very large mature footprint.”
How We Picked
I compared these four listings as backyard privacy plants, not as interchangeable ornamental shrubs. My ranking gives priority to a useful privacy role: year-round foliage, enough plants or stated size to plan a screen, and practical information about mature dimensions, climate, sunlight, and establishment. I also looked at how much room a buyer may need to give each selection. A fast-growing evergreen can make a strong boundary, but its mature width and height matter as much as its screening potential.
The lineup includes three Thuja Green Giant options and one Emerald Green Arborvitae. That distinction shapes the order. The Green Giants are described for privacy screening or windbreaks and suit buyers who have space for a large hedge; the 3–4 ft plant ranks first because its stated starting size, included guide, fertilizer, and zone range make its role easier to plan around. The 10-count earns a close second for buyers who need several plants, while the 18-pack is a quantity-focused choice with less appeal for tight yards because the liners’ potential mature dimensions are substantial. Emerald Green ranks as the specialized compact pick: its stated width is narrower and its listed hardiness range extends into colder zones, but it does not replace a broad Green Giant screen for every yard.
I treat the supplied descriptions and specifications as the basis for comparison rather than promising a particular growth rate or time to privacy. The listings do not give consistent spacing guidance, exact liner sizes, or a guaranteed screening timetable. Buyers should check their local growing zone, sunlight, soil drainage, property boundaries, and the seller’s current shipping details before ordering. I also count establishment watering and pruning as meaningful ownership needs: a live plant is a long-term landscape decision, not an instant fence.
| privacy plants for backyard | Plant type | Hardiness zones | Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Evergreen shrub and hedge | USDA zones 5–9 | Full sun to partial shade |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | Evergreen shrub and hedge | — | Full sun to partial shade |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Evergreen arborvitae | USDA zones 2–7 | Full sun |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | Thuja Green Giant arborvitae | USDA zones 5–9 | — |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Privacy Plants For Backyard
I’d choose a privacy plant by starting with the yard, not the product name. In this lineup, three options are Thuja Green Giants and one is Emerald Green Arborvitae, but pack size, stated mature width, and listed climate range make them serve different jobs. Use the following checks to narrow the options before ordering.
Match the plant to the space you can give it
Measure the planting strip and think about the mature footprint, not just the gap you want to screen today. The 3–4 ft Green Giant is listed at 12–20 ft wide and 20–40 ft tall; the 18-pack liners can reach up to 20 ft wide and 60 ft tall. These are choices for a roomy landscape unless you have a clear pruning plan. Emerald Green’s stated width of up to 4 ft makes it a more practical candidate for a narrow side yard, though height can still reach 14 ft. The 10-count listing does not supply mature dimensions, so confirm them before laying out a row.
Before planting near a fence, building, path, or property line, check local rules and leave enough room for growth and access. A hedge planted too tightly can become harder to maintain and may crowd neighboring plants. The product descriptions do not provide universal spacing distances, so do not infer spacing from pack count alone; ask the seller or consult a local planting resource for the plant size and conditions you have.
Use your hardiness zone as a filter
The listed zone ranges separate the choices clearly. The two Green Giant listings with stated zones and the liner pack specify zones 5–9; Emerald Green lists zones 2–7. If your location falls outside a product’s stated range, do not rely on a general claim of hardiness to override the listing. The 10-count set does not provide a zone range in the supplied specifications, so check local compatibility directly before placing an order.
Zone fit is only one part of site suitability. Also check sun exposure, drainage, wind, and the conditions at the exact planting spot. The Green Giants are listed for full sun to partial shade in some descriptions, while Emerald Green specifies full sun. A site with shade, exposed wind, or poorly draining soil may behave differently from a typical yard; local advice can help resolve uncertainties the product details do not cover.
Decide how much planting support and quantity you need
The single 3–4 ft Green Giant includes fertilizer and a planting guide, and it gives a stated starting height. That makes it the most straightforward choice for a buyer who wants a clear individual plant specification. The 10-count Green Giant is more directly suited to planting several plants from one set, while the 18-pack offers the largest listed quantity but describes its plants as liners without stating their height. A larger count does not guarantee a faster or more complete screen if the plants start small or are spaced too far apart.
Work out the length of the boundary, intended spacing, and total number of plants before ordering. If the product listing does not state starting size or spacing, ask for clarification rather than assuming that plants in different packs are comparable. Also account for access to water during establishment: the 10-count listing specifically calls for frequent, consistent watering during its first month.
Balance year-round cover with maintenance
All four options are described as evergreens, so each is aimed at a screen that retains foliage through the year. That does not mean instant privacy. Plants need time to establish and fill their allotted space, and the provided listings do not promise a precise time to reach a particular screen height. Treat fast-growth language as a general product claim, not a schedule for when neighbors or a road will disappear from view.
Think about the care you can provide as well. The 10-count product calls for frequent watering in the first month; Emerald Green lists regular watering and notes that first-year plants may need extra winter protection. The Green Giant liners are described as low maintenance once established, but their possible size can make later pruning a substantial task. I would factor in water access, seasonal exposure, and willingness to prune before choosing a plant by its screening appeal alone.
Check shipping details and plant condition expectations
The 18-pack Green Giant liners cannot ship to California or Arizona, so location is an immediate filter for that option. For any live-plant order, verify current shipping availability, expected delivery timing, and the seller’s instructions for unpacking and planting. Listings may not answer every question about arrival size or handling, particularly for the liners and the 10-count set.
Read the stated warranty and return terms rather than treating them as a guarantee of mature success. The 3–4 ft Green Giant listing specifies a 15-day warranty. That is a limited window compared with the years it takes a landscape screen to mature, so inspect plants promptly and follow seller directions if a shipment arrives in poor condition. Plan for the living plant you receive, not only the mature hedge shown in your long-range garden plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which option is best for a narrow backyard boundary?
I would start with the Emerald Green Arborvitae because its stated mature width is up to 4 ft, much narrower than the Green Giant options with listed widths of 12–20 ft or more. It still grows up to 14 ft tall, so it is not a miniature shrub, and the listing specifies zones 2–7. Check the actual planting width, local zone, and spacing before choosing it for a tight strip.
Which product gives me the most plants in one order?
The Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack has the largest stated quantity, compared with ten plants in the other multi-plant Green Giant set. Its liner starting height is not specified in the supplied details, and the product cannot ship to California or Arizona. I would confirm liner size and shipping eligibility before treating the pack count as a complete hedge plan.
Are these plants suitable for year-round privacy?
All four listings describe evergreen plants, so they are intended to retain foliage through the year rather than provide only a seasonal screen. However, evergreen foliage does not create immediate coverage: spacing, plant size on arrival, establishment, and growth all affect how much screening you get and when. None of the supplied product details guarantees a specific time to a fully opaque backyard barrier.
Which choice is listed for the coldest growing zones?
The Emerald Green Arborvitae has the coldest stated range in this group, USDA zones 2–7. The Green Giant options with a listed range specify zones 5–9. The 10-count Green Giant listing does not provide a hardiness range in the supplied specifications, so I would verify its local suitability with the seller rather than infer a zone from the other Green Giant products.
How should I compare pack size with starting plant size?
I would treat those as separate buying decisions. The 10-count and 18-pack products offer multiple plants, but the supplied information does not specify individual starting heights; the 3–4 ft Green Giant does give a starting size but contains one plant. Ask about plant or liner dimensions, then map your boundary and confirm spacing before estimating coverage. A higher quantity does not automatically mean a more mature-looking screen on planting day.
Conclusion
For most buyers with a roomy yard in zones 5–9, I recommend the 3–4 ft Thuja Green Giant when a known starting height, planting guide, and fertilizer matter most. Choose the 10-count Green Giant if the project needs several plants and you can handle first-month watering, but verify individual size and climate fit first. For a large property that can accommodate very tall, broad plants, the 18-pack liners offer the most plants; skip them if you are in California or Arizona, or if space is tight. For a narrower boundary or a site in zones 2–7, I’d select Emerald Green Arborvitae and plan for regular establishment care, including possible first-winter protection. In every case, confirm mature space, shipping, and planting details before ordering: a healthy privacy screen depends as much on a suitable site as on the plant you choose.
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