Thuja Green Giant Spacing for Privacy Screening

Thuja 'Green Giant' is popular for fast privacy screens, but spacing determines effectiveness. Here's how to get it right for your raised planter.

Recommended Spacing

5-6 feet on center—not 8 feet. At 8-foot spacing, the pyramidal form creates gaps at the top, reducing screening density.

Green Giant Characteristics

• Mature spread: 12-20 feet
• Fast-growing, low-maintenance
• Disease and drought resistant
• Poor shade tolerance—reduced foliage in shade = less screening

Alternative Screening Plants

Columnar/Upright Evergreens

• Holly varieties
• Privet
• Juniper 'Skyrocket' or similar
• Arborvitae 'Emerald Green' (narrower)

Small Deciduous Trees

• Crape Myrtle
• Sargent Crabapple
• Dogwood
• Serviceberry

Deciduous Shrubs

• Lilac
• Forsythia
• Spirea

Design Tip

For your 78-foot planter, consider a mixed screen—evergreens for year-round backbone, deciduous plants for seasonal interest and faster fill-in.