Arborvitae are the ultimate privacy heroes, and they add a fresh, green vibe to any yard. Over time, I’ve found a bunch of varieties that fit different spaces and styles perfectly.
These 20 types not only block nosy neighbors but also bring a natural beauty that grows year after year. Plus, I’ve picked up some handy tips to keep them healthy and thriving no matter where you plant them.
Ready to turn your yard into a private oasis? Let’s get started!
1. Emerald Green
Standing like natural sentinels at 12-14 feet tall, these popular arborvitae maintain a perfect columnar shape without much pruning. Their dense, emerald foliage stays vibrant year-round, making them ideal for smaller spaces.
Water deeply once weekly during the first year to establish strong roots. These beauties prefer full sun but tolerate partial shade, and they’re remarkably resistant to winter burn compared to other varieties.
2. Green Giant
Growing at an impressive rate of 3-5 feet yearly, Green Giants quickly create towering privacy screens reaching 50-60 feet tall. Their pyramid shape and resistance to deer make them perfect for large properties needing substantial screening.
Space them 5-8 feet apart for an impenetrable living wall. Despite their size, these giants rarely suffer from ice or snow damage thanks to their strong central leader and flexible branches that bounce back after winter storms.
3. North Pole
Perfectly suited for cold climates, these narrow beauties maintain their rich green color even in harsh winters. At just 10-15 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, they fit perfectly in tight spaces where other privacy trees would overwhelm.
Their naturally columnar form requires minimal maintenance. Plant them 3-4 feet apart for a dense screen that won’t spread into walkways or patios, making them ideal for small yards or as elegant accents flanking entryways.
4. Techny
Slower growing than some varieties, Techny arborvitae reward your patience with exceptional density and rich, dark green foliage. Their broad pyramid shape reaches 12-15 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide, creating substantial privacy barriers.
Especially valued in colder regions, they resist winter burn that plagues other varieties. Apply a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep it several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
5. American Pillar
Resembling living fence posts, these remarkably narrow arborvitae grow just 2-3 feet wide while soaring to 25 feet tall. Their fast growth rate of 3 feet yearly means you won’t wait long for privacy.
The tight, vertical habit requires no pruning to maintain its sleek profile. Their resistance to deer browsing makes them excellent choices for rural properties, while their minimal footprint works beautifully in urban settings where ground space is at a premium.
6. Globe
Unlike their taller cousins, Globe arborvitae naturally form perfect spheres without any pruning. Maxing out at just 3-4 feet in height and width, they create charming borders or accent points rather than privacy screens.
Use them to line walkways or as living garden sculptures. Their slow growth rate makes them low-maintenance choices for busy homeowners, and their naturally symmetrical shape brings formal elegance to any landscape design without requiring constant attention.
7. Pyramidalis
These classic arborvitae form perfect pyramids reaching 20-30 feet tall while staying relatively narrow at 4-6 feet wide. Their bright green foliage creates a softer look than darker varieties, bringing a cheerful presence to the landscape.
Highly adaptable to different soil types, they’re forgiving of less-than-ideal conditions. Apply an organic fertilizer in early spring to maintain their vibrant color, and consider wrapping young specimens with burlap their first winter to prevent sunscald.
8. Hetz Wintergreen
Maintaining exceptional color during winter months when other evergreens fade, Hetz Wintergreen stands out for its year-round performance. Growing to 25-35 feet tall with a 10-15 foot spread, these substantial trees create impressive privacy barriers.
Their dense branching structure starts at ground level, eliminating gaps that plague other varieties. Consider adding a slow-release fertilizer formulated for evergreens in early spring to maximize growth and maintain that signature rich green color through all seasons.
9. Fire Chief
Breaking the all-green monotony, Fire Chief arborvitae brings dramatic color with foliage that transitions from gold to fiery red-orange in winter. These compact globes reach just 3-4 feet in height and width, perfect for adding visual interest.
Plant them in full sun to maximize their spectacular color display. While not privacy screens themselves, they make excellent companion plants to taller arborvitae varieties, creating multi-dimensional landscapes where the eye moves between different heights, shapes, and seasonal color changes.
10. DeGroot’s Spire
With an unusual twisted foliage pattern that catches light beautifully, DeGroot’s Spire adds architectural interest to any landscape. Its extremely narrow profile (just 2-3 feet wide) while reaching 20 feet tall makes it perfect for tight spaces.
The unique spiral growth pattern creates natural shadows and highlights even on cloudy days. Plant these distinctive specimens as focal points rather than in rows, allowing their sculptural form to stand out against simpler backgrounds like walls or larger evergreens.
11. Yellow Ribbon
Golden-yellow foliage tips create a stunning ribbon-like effect on this unique arborvitae, bringing sunshine to any landscape. Growing to a moderate 10-12 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, they’re perfectly sized for most residential properties.
The bright coloration intensifies in full sun positions. Plant them where afternoon light will illuminate their golden edges for maximum impact, creating a natural spotlight effect in your garden that draws the eye even from a distance.
12. Spring Grove
Developed specifically for Midwestern conditions, Spring Grove handles humidity and cold with equal grace. Its broad pyramid shape reaches 15-20 feet tall with exceptional density that blocks views completely.
The rich green foliage maintains its color through harsh winters without bronzing. Apply a layer of compost around the root zone each spring to improve soil structure and provide gentle nutrition, helping these adaptable trees thrive even in challenging clay soils common throughout the Midwest.
13. Rheingold
Sporting gorgeous copper-gold foliage that changes with the seasons, Rheingold creates visual drama in any landscape. These compact growers reach just 4-5 feet tall and wide, forming dense globes that require minimal care.
The soft, feathery texture contrasts beautifully with other evergreens. Use them as colorful accents among traditional green varieties, creating rhythm and focal points in your landscape design while maintaining the cohesive evergreen theme that makes arborvitae so popular for year-round structure.
14. Little Giant
Perfect for small spaces, Little Giant forms a dense globe just 4-6 feet tall and wide at maturity. The rich green foliage maintains excellent winter color, and its naturally rounded shape requires little to no pruning.
Use them to create low borders or as foundation plantings. Their compact size makes them ideal for framing garden entrances or defining spaces without blocking views, and their slow growth rate means they won’t quickly outgrow their welcome in tight spots.
15. Woodward
Forming perfect globes without any pruning, Woodward arborvitae bring formal elegance to any landscape. Their dense, rich green foliage grows to 6-10 feet tall and wide, creating substantial presence without overwhelming smaller yards.
Their naturally symmetrical shape makes them ideal for formal gardens. Plant them along driveways or as corner anchors in landscape designs where their year-round structure provides reliable good looks even when flowering plants have faded for the season.
16. Holmstrup
Combining the best features of columnar and globe varieties, Holmstrup forms a compact oval reaching 8-10 feet tall while staying just 3-4 feet wide. The bright green foliage grows in tight, fan-like sprays that create exceptional density.
Their moderate size makes them versatile for many landscape uses. Plant them where you need year-round structure without overwhelming height, such as framing garden entrances or creating mid-height privacy screens that don’t block desirable views or cast excessive shade.
17. Sunkist
Bringing sunshine to shady corners, Sunkist arborvitae displays brilliant golden-yellow foliage that brightens any landscape. Growing to a moderate 10-12 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, they’re perfectly sized for residential properties.
The vibrant color holds best in partial shade locations. Unlike many colorful conifers that burn in full sun, these golden beauties actually prefer morning sun with afternoon protection, making them ideal for east-facing locations where they’ll glow like natural beacons.
18. Tiny Tim
Perfectly proportioned for small gardens, Tiny Tim forms adorable globe-shaped mounds just 1-2 feet tall and wide. Their slow growth rate makes them ideal for containers, rock gardens, or anywhere space is limited.
The soft, bright green foliage maintains good color year-round. Consider planting several in a row to create miniature hedges for fairy gardens or as living borders around flower beds, bringing evergreen structure at a diminutive scale that complements rather than overwhelms delicate perennials.
19. Nigra
Considered the classic dark green arborvitae, Nigra creates dramatic vertical accents reaching 20-30 feet tall while staying relatively narrow at 5-8 feet wide. Their deep emerald color provides a sophisticated backdrop for flowering plants.
The dense branching structure creates effective screening from ground level up. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to maintain their rich color, and consider installing drip irrigation to provide consistent moisture during establishment without wetting the foliage.
20. Zebrina
Standing out with distinctive gold-striped foliage, Zebrina creates visual interest unlike any other arborvitae. Growing to 15-20 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, it combines privacy functionality with ornamental appeal.
The variegated pattern intensifies in full sun positions. Plant where afternoon light will illuminate the golden stripes for maximum impact, creating a natural spotlight effect that draws attention and adds dimension to otherwise monotone evergreen plantings.