Green Giant Arborvitae: A Home Gardener’s Best Friend for Beauty and Privacy

Available now at Chestatee Farms – 3-gallon containers for just $25!

If you’re looking for a fast-growing evergreen that offers year-round beauty, privacy, and reliability, look no further than the Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii × plicata ‘Green Giant’). Known for its rich green color, rapid growth, and remarkable adaptability, the Green Giant has become one of the most sought-after landscape trees in America — and for good reason.

Here at Chestatee Farms, we’re proud to offer 3-gallon Green Giant Arborvitae for just $25, perfect for home gardeners who want instant impact without breaking the bank. Whether you’re building a living privacy fence, defining your property line, or simply adding evergreen charm to your landscape, the Green Giant Arborvitae is a fantastic choice.

🌳Growth Habit and Appearance

The Green Giant Arborvitae is a large, fast-growing evergreen conifer that can reach 25 feet tall and 12 feet wide at maturity. Its natural growth habit forms a dense, pyramidal shape with gracefully layered branches and soft, flattened sprays of rich green foliage.

In optimal conditions, Green Giants can grow up to 3 feet per year, making them one of the fastest-growing conifers available for home landscapes. Unlike some other evergreens, their foliage retains a deep green color even through the coldest winter months, without the bronzing or fading seen in some varieties.

🌱Soil Requirements and pH

One of the reasons Green Giant Arborvitae is so beloved among home gardeners is its adaptability to different soil types. It thrives best in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, but it tolerates a range of conditions from sandy loam to heavy clay, as long as there’s no prolonged standing water.

For best growth, aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 8.0. Slightly acidic to slightly base conditions help the tree absorb nutrients efficiently. Before planting, it’s a good idea to test your soil. If your soil is on the acidic side, a small amount of lime can be added to raise the pH; if too alkaline, adding compost, peat moss, pink bark chips or mulch, or soil sulfur can help balance it out.

☀️Light Requirements

The Green Giant Arborvitae grows best in full sun to partial shade. Ideally, the tree should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for dense, uniform growth. While it can tolerate some shade, too much will cause thinner foliage and slower growth. If you’re planting a hedge or screen, spacing trees in full sun ensures even coverage and faster establishment.

Green Giant Arborvitae grown as a hedge

💧Watering Needs

Consistent watering is crucial, especially during the first one to two years after planting. Newly planted arborvitae need time to establish their root systems, and the soil should be kept evenly moist — not soggy.

• After planting: Water deeply 2–3 times per week for the first month.

• During the first growing season: Once established, water weekly during dry spells (they need about 1 inch of water per week).

• Long-term care: Mature Green Giants are moderately drought-tolerant but will always look their best with regular watering during hot, dry weather.

Adding a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base helps conserve moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds. Just be sure to keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

🧪Fertilizing for Healthy Growth

Feeding your Green Giant annually helps maintain its vigor and vibrant color. In early spring (mid-March), before new growth begins, apply a balanced, quick-release fertilizer such as 10-10-10 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) with minor elements. Repeat in April and again in June if air temperatures are below 90F degrees.

• How to apply: Scatter the fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the tree — the area just beneath the outer branches — and water it thoroughly.

• Tip: Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can encourage overly soft growth that may be more susceptible to winter damage or pests.

An annual feeding with 10-10-10 will encourage strong roots, lush foliage, and steady vertical growth.

🌿Companion Planting

The Green Giant’s tall, structured form pairs beautifully with many landscape plants. Here are a few companion planting ideas for home gardeners:

• Front borders: Try dwarf evergreens such as Japanese Holly to create a tiered look.

• Color contrast: Plant flowering shrubs like Hydrangeas, Viburnum, or Loropetalum in front for bursts of seasonal color.

• Groundcovers: Use Hostas, Liriope, or Creeping Jenny at the base for texture and weed control.

• Pollinator appeal: Add Lavender, Coneflowers, or Salvia nearby for color and pollinator activity, especially if your Green Giants form a backdrop.

By mixing textures and colors, you can create a layered landscape that looks lush and balanced year-round.

🏡Landscape Uses

Green Giant Arborvitae is one of the most versatile evergreens for home landscapes. Popular uses include:

• Privacy screens and windbreaks: Planted 5–6 feet apart, Green Giants form a dense, living fence that blocks noise, wind, and prying eyes.

• Specimen trees: A single Green Giant makes a striking vertical accent in a front yard or garden bed.

• Foundation plantings: Smaller or trimmed specimens can frame entryways and garden corners.

• Backdrops: Their evergreen mass creates a perfect green canvas for flowering trees, shrubs, or perennial beds.

Because they’re evergreen, they offer year-round structure and color, helping your landscape look full even in winter.

🐛Insects and Diseases

Green Giant Arborvitae is remarkably resistant to most insects and diseases that commonly affect other arborvitae varieties. However, it’s still wise to monitor your trees regularly.

• Potential pests: Bagworms, spider mites, and aphids occasionally appear but are easily managed with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap.

• Diseases: Root rot can occur in poorly drained soils. Always plant in a well-draining area and avoid overwatering.

Regular observation, good air circulation, and proper spacing go a long way in keeping your arborvitae healthy and trouble-free.

🧤General Care Tips

To keep your Green Giants in top shape:

• Pruning: Minimal pruning is needed. You can lightly trim in late spring or early summer to maintain a uniform hedge or shape. Avoid heavy pruning into old wood, as arborvitae don’t regenerate well from bare stems.

• Mulching: Refresh mulch annually to retain moisture and protect roots.

• Spacing: When planting a privacy row, space trees 5 to 6 feet apart. For an open, more natural look, space them 10 to 12 feet apart.

With just a little annual attention, your Green Giant Arborvitae will thrive for decades, providing lasting beauty and privacy.

🌾Why Buy from Chestatee Farms

At Chestatee Farms, we take pride in growing healthy, well-rooted Green Giant Arborvitae that are ready to perform in your landscape. Our trees are grown on-site and are adapted to the regional climate, ensuring you get hardy, vigorous plants that establish quickly.

Right now, we’re offering 3-gallon Green Giant Arborvitae for just $25 — an incredible value for a tree that will transform your landscape in just a few short years. Whether you need a single specimen or a full privacy row, our team can help you select and plant the perfect trees for your space.

The Green Giant Arborvitae truly lives up to its name: green, giant, and great for almost any landscape. It’s fast-growing, low-maintenance, disease-resistant, and stunning year-round. For home gardeners in our region, it’s hard to find a more rewarding evergreen investment.