I’d start with the job your backyard screen needs to do: fill a long boundary quickly, soften a smaller yard, or cope with colder winters. The single 3–4-foot Thuja Green Giant is my best overall starting point for buyers who want a larger, adaptable evergreen and a planting guide. For a longer hedge, the 18-pack of Green Giant liners supplies the most plants in this lineup; for colder regions and a more contained footprint, Emerald Green Arborvitae is the better fit. The 10-count Green Giant set lands between those choices for a modest screen.
Get garden gear delivered free — and shop member deals
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Access to Prime Big Deal Days deals on October 6–7
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
The main tradeoffs are screening speed versus mature size, how many plants you need to cover the boundary, and whether your climate falls within the listed hardiness zones. These are living plants, not instant fencing: spacing, establishment care, sunlight, and local growing conditions shape how quickly they form a solid visual barrier. I rank the options by how clearly their supplied details support a practical backyard privacy plan, not by assuming every yard or planting site is the same.
Complete the kit
Key Takeaways
- Best all-around starting plant: The 3–4-foot Thuja Green Giant pairs a single plant with a planting guide and fertilizer, but it can grow much larger than a small yard can comfortably hold.
- Best for a long screen: The 18-pack gives you the largest stated quantity for a hedge or windbreak; its liner size, large mature dimensions, and California and Arizona shipping restriction call for planning.
- Best for cold-climate fit: Emerald Green Arborvitae is listed for USDA zones 2–7 and has a narrower 4-foot mature width, unlike the much broader Green Giant options.
- Best middle-ground quantity: The 10-count Green Giant set offers multiple plants without an 18-plant order, but it calls for frequent, consistent watering during the first month.
- Before choosing: Match the stated growing zones and mature width to your location and planting space; evergreen foliage alone does not guarantee an instant or fully opaque screen.
| Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide |  | Best Overall — a substantial single Green Giant with useful planting support | Botanical name: Thuja ‘Green Giant’ | Plant size: 3–4 feet | Mature height: 20–40 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack |  | Best for a long boundary — the largest multi-plant quantity in this group | Pack size: 18 individual liners | Mature height: Up to 60 feet | Mature width: Up to 20 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count |  | Best Middle-Ground Quantity — a multi-plant Green Giant set without the 18-pack | 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 Colder Zones and Narrower Spaces — a more contained arborvitae | Plant type: Emerald Green arborvitae | Container size: 1 gallon | Mature height: Up to 14 feet | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| privacy plants for backyard | Mature height | Mature width | Sun exposure | Moisture needs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | 20–40 feet | 12–20 feet | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate watering |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | Up to 60 feet | Up to 20 feet | — | — |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | — | — | Full sun to partial shade | Regular watering; frequent watering during the first month |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Up to 14 feet | Up to 4 feet | Full sun | Regular watering |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Thuja Green Giant – (3-4ft) Live Plant, Includes Fertilizer & Planting Guide
This is my best overall choice for a buyer who wants one clearly sized Green Giant rather than a bundle of smaller liners. At 3–4 feet on arrival, it offers a more tangible head start than the 18-pack liners, while the included fertilizer and planting guide give the buyer some setup support. Its year-round evergreen habit and stated tolerance for full sun to partial shade suit a range of backyard screen locations, provided the site falls within zones 5–9.
The catch is scale. The listing gives a mature height of 20–40 feet and width of 12–20 feet, so this is not a naturally compact hedge plant. That listed width is much broader than Emerald Green’s 4-foot figure, and the eventual height can call for pruning or a different location if the yard is small. Compared with the 10-count and 18-pack, this is a single-plant purchase; it can address a specific gap, but it is not the obvious pick for covering a long property line on its own.
I’d choose it when a larger evergreen is appropriate and I value the included guide and fertilizer. I would skip it for a narrow strip, for a buyer seeking a ready-made row, or for a climate outside zones 5–9. “Fast-growing” is a useful screening trait, but I would still plan for establishment time rather than expect an immediate privacy wall.
Pros:- Arrives listed at 3–4 feet, giving a head start over small liners.
- Includes fertilizer and a planting guide.
- Evergreen foliage is listed for year-round screening.
- Tolerates full sun to partial shade in zones 5–9.
Cons:- Mature dimensions of 20–40 feet tall and 12–20 feet wide can overwhelm tight spaces.
- One plant is a limited quantity for building a continuous long hedge.
- The listed zone range excludes colder and warmer climates.
Best for: A buyer in USDA zones 5–9 who wants one 3–4-foot evergreen for a focal screen or a gap in an existing hedge and appreciates included planting guidance.
Not ideal for: Small yards with limited width, buyers who need multiple plants for a long boundary, or gardeners outside zones 5–9.
- Botanical name:Thuja ‘Green Giant’
- Plant size: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
- Moisture needs:Moderate watering
- Included:Live plant, fertilizer, and planting guide
Our verdict“I’d pick this single Green Giant for a larger yard that needs one substantial evergreen, but not for a compact boundary or a full-length hedge.”
Perfect Plants Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae Liners, 18-Pack
If the goal is a long privacy screen or windbreak, this 18-pack gives you the most plants in the roundup. That quantity makes it a more natural starting point for a row than the single Green Giant or the 10-count set. Its dark green evergreen foliage and wide-bottomed pyramidal growth habit are intended for screening, and the listing says the plants can be pruned to size. The tradeoff is that liners are not the same purchase proposition as one listed 3–4-foot plant: buyers should confirm the shipped plant size and plan for the time needed to establish a continuous hedge.
Green Giant’s eventual scale needs space whether you buy one plant or eighteen. This listing gives a possible mature height of up to 60 feet and width of up to 20 feet, which is a bigger stated upper limit than the 3–4-foot product’s 20–40-foot height range. Pruning can help manage a hedge, but it does not erase the need to allocate room or plan maintenance. Compared with Emerald Green, this is a better fit for a broad screen than a narrow planting strip.
There is also a firm shipping limitation: it cannot ship to California or Arizona. The pack makes the most sense for someone with a substantial boundary, a suitable climate in zones 5–9, and a plan for spacing and care. I would skip it if the yard is small, if you need a few larger plants rather than liners, or if your address is in a restricted state.
Pros:- Eighteen individual plants support a longer row than the single-plant option.
- Dense, dark green evergreen foliage is suited to screening.
- Wide-bottomed pyramidal growth can create a substantial visual barrier.
- The listing says plants can be pruned to size.
Cons:- Cannot ship to California or Arizona.
- Mature size can reach up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide if left unpruned.
- A large liner pack requires careful spacing and a longer establishment plan.
Best for: A homeowner in zones 5–9 planting a longer hedge or windbreak who has room for large Green Giants and can use all 18 liners.
Not ideal for: Buyers in California or Arizona, anyone with a narrow yard, or gardeners who want a small number of larger plants rather than a liner pack.
- Pack size:18 individual liners
- Mature height:Up to 60 feet
- Mature width:Up to 20 feet
- USDA hardiness zones:5–9
- Growth habit:Wide-bottomed pyramidal
- Foliage:Dense, dark green evergreen
- Pruning:Can be pruned to size
- Shipping restriction:Cannot ship to California or Arizona
Our verdict“For a sizeable, zone-compatible boundary, this is my strongest quantity pick, provided you can receive it and accommodate mature Green Giant growth.”
Thuja Green Giant Live Plants, 10 Count
The 10-count Green Giant set fills a useful role between buying one plant and committing to eighteen liners. Multiple evergreen plants can serve a privacy hedge, windbreak, or border, while the stated adaptability to full sun to partial shade and varied soil types gives this set broad planting-site appeal. If you want a row but do not need the largest pack offered here, this quantity is the more restrained Green Giant option.
Its distinction is not a special mature-size advantage: the listing does not provide mature dimensions or a hardiness-zone range. That missing detail makes it harder to compare directly with the 18-pack and single plant, both of which specify zones 5–9, or with Emerald Green’s stated 4-foot width. I would check the seller’s plant-size and growing-zone information before relying on this as a complete planting plan. The listed weight also does not tell me the dimensions of each live plant.
The care note deserves attention. These plants need consistent, frequent watering during the first month, which is a real commitment for a large row or a site without convenient water access. Compared with the single Green Giant, this set provides more plants but more establishment work; compared with the 18-pack, it offers a smaller quantity. I’d choose it for a moderate screen when that watering routine is manageable, and pass if low-effort establishment is the overriding priority.
Pros:- Ten plants offer more coverage potential than the single-plant product.
- Evergreen foliage supports screening throughout the year.
- Listed for full sun to partial shade and varied soil types.
- Can serve as a hedge, windbreak, or landscape border.
Cons:- Requires consistent, frequent watering during the first month.
- The supplied details do not state mature height, mature width, or USDA zones.
- A 10-plant set may still be too small for a long boundary.
Best for: A buyer who wants several Green Giants for a moderate privacy hedge or windbreak and can water them consistently during their first month.
Not ideal for: Anyone who needs confirmed mature dimensions or zone fit before ordering, wants just one plant, or cannot provide frequent early watering.
- Plant type:Evergreen shrub and hedge
- Scientific name:Thuja standishii × plicata
- Quantity:10 plants
- Sun exposure:Full sun to partial shade
- Moisture needs:Regular watering; frequent watering during the first month
- Soil:Adaptable to varied soil types
- Outdoor use:Yes
- Color:Green
Our verdict“I’d choose this for a moderate Green Giant screen if early watering is practical, but I’d verify mature size and zone suitability first.”
Perfect Plants Emerald Green Arborvitae – 1 Gallon Privacy Hedge
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the clearest alternative here for a yard where Green Giant’s listed width is too much. Its stated mature dimensions of up to 14 feet tall and 4 feet wide are considerably more contained than the Green Giant figures, so it is better suited to a narrower screen or a boundary where lateral space matters. The listing also places it in USDA zones 2–7, giving it a colder-climate range than the Green Giant products’ stated zones 5–9.
That fit comes with limits. Its zone range stops at 7, so it is not the natural choice for zones 8 or 9, where the Green Giant listings provide a better stated match. It is sold as a 1-gallon plant, so buyers should not treat the mature height as the plant’s arrival size or expect an instant hedge. Although the description calls it fast-growing and drought tolerant, it also lists regular watering, and first-year plants may need extra winter protection.
Compared with the 18-pack, this is not a bulk solution for a long boundary; its appeal is a more compact mature profile and broader cold-hardiness range. Compared with the single Green Giant, it sacrifices the latter’s higher stated mature height and warm-zone fit in favor of a narrower form. I’d choose Emerald Green when space and cold-climate suitability matter more than maximizing height, and skip it for warm zones beyond its listed range or for buyers seeking immediate screening.
Pros:- Listed mature width of 4 feet suits narrower planting areas better than Green Giant.
- USDA zones 2–7 include colder regions beyond the Green Giant range.
- Evergreen foliage is described as dense and year-round.
- Listing describes drought and deer resistance after establishment.
Cons:- The stated zone range does not include zones 8–9.
- First-year plants may need extra winter protection.
- A 1-gallon plant needs time to reach its listed mature height.
Best for: A buyer in USDA zones 2–7 who wants an evergreen screen with a stated mature width of 4 feet and can give a 1-gallon plant time to grow.
Not ideal for: Gardeners in zones 8–9, buyers who need a wide windbreak, or anyone expecting an instant tall privacy wall from a 1-gallon plant.
- Plant type:Emerald Green arborvitae
- Container size:1 gallon
- Mature height:Up to 14 feet
- Mature width:Up to 4 feet
- USDA hardiness zones:2–7
- Sun exposure:Full sun
- Moisture needs:Regular watering
- Listed traits:Drought tolerant and deer resistant
Our verdict“For a narrow backyard screen in zones 2–7, I’d favor Emerald Green over Green Giant, but not in warmer zones or when maximum height is the priority.”
How We Picked
I ranked these four plants for one specific purpose: creating backyard privacy with living evergreen growth. I looked at what each listing says about quantity, mature size, foliage, growing zones, and establishment needs, then considered how those details affect an actual screen. A single plant can suit a targeted gap, while a multi-plant pack may make more sense for a boundary; neither is automatically the better choice without knowing the span to cover.
Fit mattered more than broad claims. Green Giant is represented by three choices here, so I separated them by the buying decision each supports: one larger plant with included planting materials, a 10-count group, and an 18-pack of liners. I treated the Emerald Green as a distinct alternative for buyers prioritizing a narrower stated mature width and hardiness down to zone 2. Those differences make the shortlist useful even though the products share evergreen privacy-screen ambitions.
I also weighed drawbacks that can change the outcome. Green Giant’s listed mature dimensions may outgrow tight yards, while Emerald Green’s zone range tops out at 7 and its listing says first-year plants may need extra winter protection. The 10-count requires regular watering during its first month, and the 18-pack cannot ship to California or Arizona. I do not interpret “fast-growing” as a guarantee of a finished screen by a particular date; establishment, spacing, weather, soil, and care all affect growth. I recommend checking local suitability and plant spacing before ordering.
| privacy plants for backyard | Sun exposure | Moisture needs | Plant type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thuja Green Giant | Full sun to partial shade | Moderate watering | — |
| Perfect Plants Thuja Green Gia | — | — | — |
| Thuja Green Giant Live Plants | Full sun to partial shade | Regular watering; frequent watering during the first month | Evergreen shrub and hedge |
| Perfect Plants Emerald Green A | Full sun | Regular watering | Emerald Green arborvitae |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Best Privacy Plants For Backyard
For a backyard privacy screen, I would decide on site fit and planting scale before choosing by the word “fast-growing.” These listings range from a single plant to eighteen liners, and the Green Giant options can become much larger than the Emerald Green. Use the following checks to compare them against your actual yard.
Match the plant to your growing zone
Start with the USDA hardiness zone listed for the plant, then check it against the zone for your planting location. The three Green Giant listings with stated ranges are for zones 5–9; Emerald Green is listed for zones 2–7. That makes Emerald Green the only choice here with a stated fit for zones 2–4, while Green Giant has the stated range for zones 8–9. Neither range should be stretched just because the plant is evergreen. If a listing does not provide a zone, as with the 10-count set, ask the seller or consult a local nursery before planning a full hedge around it.
Measure mature width as carefully as mature height
A privacy plant can block the view while also taking over a path, fence line, or planting bed. The single Green Giant is listed at 12–20 feet wide when mature, and the 18-pack can reach up to 20 feet wide if not pruned. Emerald Green’s stated width is 4 feet, making it a more contained choice for tighter spaces. Measure the available planting strip and consider access for future maintenance. Pruning can help shape plants, but it does not make a large evergreen a maintenance-free fit for a narrow site.
Choose quantity for the boundary you need to screen
The 18-pack is the most obvious option for a long planting, while the 10-count is a middle-ground quantity and the single 3–4-foot plant suits a gap or focused spot. The Emerald Green listing specifies a 1-gallon container but does not provide a pack quantity beyond that product’s description. I would not estimate the number of plants from the pack count alone: spacing affects how quickly a row fills in, and the supplied product details do not establish a universal spacing plan. Check the seller’s planting instructions and account for mature width before placing the order.
Plan for the establishment period
Evergreen screening is a long-term planting, not an instant fence. The 10-count Green Giant listing specifically calls for consistent, frequent watering during the first month; the single Green Giant lists moderate watering, and Emerald Green lists regular watering. Actual needs can change with weather, soil, drainage, and exposure. The 18-pack description says maintenance is low once established, which does not remove the need to plant and care for liners properly at the start. Before choosing, consider whether you can reach the planting row with water and follow instructions for your conditions.
Treat growth claims as potential, not a deadline
Terms such as fast-growing describe a general selling point, not a reliable schedule for a closed screen. Plant size at delivery, spacing, growing conditions, and establishment all affect how long gaps remain visible. The single Green Giant is specified as 3–4 feet at listing, while the 18-pack is sold as liners; those formats do not offer the same starting point. Emerald Green is in a 1-gallon container and lists a mature height of up to 14 feet. If privacy is needed immediately, consider temporary screening while plants grow rather than assuming any of these will block every view right away.
Check shipping and location-specific limitations
The 18-pack cannot ship to California or Arizona, a direct reason to rule it out for those addresses. All live plants also depend on suitable local growing conditions and shipping availability. Confirm current destination restrictions, planting timing, and local guidance before ordering. If deer pressure, drought, or winter exposure is a concern, note that the Emerald Green description claims deer and drought resistance but also lists regular watering and possible first-year winter protection. Those details are reasons to plan care, not guarantees that local conditions will have no effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these plants is best for a long backyard privacy screen?
I’d start with the 18-pack of Thuja Green Giant liners if the boundary is long, your site is in zones 5–9, and you have enough room for large mature plants. It provides the largest stated quantity in this comparison, but the listing’s possible mature size reaches up to 60 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Check spacing and planting guidance before buying, and note that this pack cannot ship to California or Arizona.
Which option fits a narrow yard best?
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the clearest fit for a tighter planting strip because its listed mature width is 4 feet, compared with the Green Giant options’ much larger stated widths. It is listed for zones 2–7, so it may suit colder locations but is not the listed choice for zones 8–9. Its 1-gallon container also means buyers should allow growing time rather than expect a tall screen on arrival.
Are Green Giant arborvitae suitable for every climate in this roundup?
No. The Green Giant products with stated hardiness information list USDA zones 5–9, while Emerald Green is listed for zones 2–7. The 10-count Green Giant details do not state a zone range, so I would confirm its suitability before ordering. Hardiness zones are a starting point for matching plants to climate; local conditions and planting advice still matter.
How soon will these plants create privacy?
The supplied details do not provide a dependable timeline for a closed screen. A 3–4-foot Green Giant starts taller than a liner or a 1-gallon Emerald Green, but plant spacing, growing conditions, and establishment care shape how quickly gaps close. I would treat “fast-growing” as a general description rather than a promise of privacy by a particular season. For immediate screening, a temporary fence or screen can bridge the wait.
Which product needs the most attention after planting?
The 10-count Green Giant listing gives the clearest specific early-care requirement: consistent, frequent watering during the first month. Emerald Green also lists regular watering and says first-year plants may need extra winter protection. The single Green Giant lists moderate watering, while the 18-pack is described as low-maintenance once established. I would still follow the planting instructions for the chosen plant and adapt care to local soil and weather.
Conclusion
My recommendation depends on the shape of your project. Choose the 3–4-foot Green Giant if you need one substantial plant for a larger yard and want the included planting guide and fertilizer. For a long zone 5–9 boundary, the 18-pack offers the most plants, as long as you can use the full quantity, accommodate mature growth, and are not ordering to California or Arizona. If you want a smaller Green Giant planting and can keep up with early watering, the 10-count set is the middle ground. For a narrow site or a colder zone, I’d favor Emerald Green Arborvitae—but only within its listed zones 2–7. Measure first, confirm local suitability, and allow time for living plants to fill in.
Fall yard work Picks
leaf blowers
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
