Arborvitae trees are a go-to for so many homeowners dealing with tricky landscaping spots. These evergreen conifers keep their color through every season and pull double duty – think privacy screening, wind protection, and adding some much-needed structure.
There’s a lot more you can do with these trees than just the classic hedge row. Maybe you want to swap out a boring fence for a living barrier, or carve out cozy outdoor rooms. You could even play around with where you plant them to add interest as the seasons change.
With all the different species and cultivars out there, you’ve got options and you can really dial in the look you want for your space.
1) Create a natural privacy screen along property lines
Arborvitae trees are tough to beat for living walls if you want to block out neighbors or busy streets. Plant them in a row along your property line, and they’ll quickly fill in to create a dense, green barrier.
Emerald Green and Green Giant are favorites for privacy screens. They grow fast, stay thick, and keep their foliage all year.
Just plant them in a straight line and leave enough space for each one to grow to its full width. In a few years, you’ll have a lush, natural fence – no more prying eyes!
2) Frame your driveway with tall arborvitae rows
Planting tall arborvitae on both sides of your driveway makes for a pretty striking entrance. Those evergreen columns add a sense of structure and a bit of elegance, honestly, no matter the season.
Set them about 6-8 feet apart so they fill in as they get bigger. Again, Emerald Green and Green Giant are solid picks, as they grow upright and keep their shape without much fuss.
Your driveway gets a more polished, welcoming vibe, and let’s be real, it can bump up your curb appeal too.
3) Design a formal evergreen hedge for structure
If you want crisp lines and a bit of year-round order, formal arborvitae hedges are the way to go. Try ‘Emerald Green’ or ‘Green Giant’ and plant them close for a tight, solid look.
Spacing them 2-3 feet apart gives you that dense wall effect that makes formal hedges pop.
Keep the hedge tidy with regular trimming – once in late spring, again in mid-summer. That’s usually enough to keep things looking sharp and stop any wild growth from taking over.
4) Use arborvitae as windbreaks in exposed areas
If you’re dealing with strong winds, arborvitae can act as a solid green shield. Plant them across the path of the wind for best results.
Space them about 10-20 feet apart if you want to really block those gusts. Mixing in some red cedar or other evergreens can make the barrier even stronger.
Your patio or veggie garden will be a lot more pleasant, especially when the weather gets rough. Plus, during winter months, arborvitae can help keep snow from piling up in the wrong places.
5) Incorporate arborvitae into mixed shrub borders
Mixed borders get a lot more interesting when you use arborvitae as the backbone. Stick them in a row behind your other plants and you’ll get more depth and structure.
Try staggering perennials and flowering shrubs in front for a layered look. It’s a simple way to make your borders look intentional and polished.
Even small spaces can benefit. Just a handful of arborvitae can frame your favorite blooms and make the whole thing feel pulled together.
6) Utilize dwarf arborvitae varieties for container gardens
Dwarf arborvitae are a lifesaver for container gardening – patios, decks, you name it. Their small size makes them super manageable but you still get that year-round greenery.
Plop these potted evergreens by your front door or on the patio for a welcoming touch. Their tidy, pyramidal shape adds interest without hogging space.
Containers also let you shuffle things around as the seasons change. Stick with varieties that stay under 6 feet for the easiest care in pots.
7) Plant arborvitae around patios for year-round greenery
Surround your patio with arborvitae and you’ll have a living wall that stays green, even when everything else is sleeping. They’re great for consistent color through every season.
Taller types work best behind seating to block wind and make things feel a bit more private. Dwarf varieties are perfect for the edges if you’re short on space.
Give them 3-4 feet between plants so they have room to breathe and grow. That way, your patio area feels cozy but not cramped.
8) Line walkways with medium-height arborvitae
Medium-sized arborvitae are just right for lining garden paths or walkways. They usually reach about 6-8 feet, so you get structure without blocking the view.
Plant them 3-4 feet apart on each side of your path, and they’ll fill in for a nice, continuous border.
Look for compact varieties like Emerald Green or Techny, as they’re reliable and don’t need much pruning.
The result? Pathways that look neat and intentional. Guests will notice the clean lines, and you’ll get a little boost of pride every time you walk through.
9) Create layered privacy walls using different arborvitae heights
Mixing tall and short arborvitae is a clever way to build a layered privacy wall. Put the tallest, like Green Giant, in back, and add a row of medium-height Emerald Green in front.
This setup gives you visual depth and blocks views from all sorts of angles. The shorter ones up front keep the whole thing from looking too stiff or like a straight-up fence.
Start with the tallest trees, spacing them 6-8 feet apart. Then fill in with the shorter ones about 4-5 feet in front – no gaps, just a lush, full screen.
10) Use arborvitae to define garden rooms or zones
Arborvitae are kind of perfect for breaking up your yard into different zones. Their upright habit makes them natural dividers, so you can organize your space without putting up hard barriers.
Try planting them in rows to separate a dining area from a play space, or keep your veggie patch apart from the flower beds.
Their thick, evergreen foliage brings year-round structure and keeps those boundaries clear, no matter the season. Especially handy if you’ve got a bigger yard and want to carve out a few cozy corners.
11) Combine arborvitae with flowering perennials for contrast
Pairing arborvitae with flowering perennials is a simple way to create bold contrast in your garden. The evergreens give you a steady backdrop while flowers pop against that deep green.
Pick perennials that like the same conditions as arborvitae, think astilbe, hydrangeas, or hostas. They’re happy in partial shade and well-drained soil.
If you mix up bloom times, you’ll get color from spring through fall. Early crocuses, a wave of summer favorites, and then some late asters to finish things off.
12) Shape arborvitae into topiaries for elegance
Ever thought about transforming ordinary arborvitae into something sculptural? With a bit of pruning, you can turn these evergreens into topiaries that seriously boost the elegance of any formal garden or front yard.
If you’re just starting out, stick to simple shapes like spheres or those classic lollipop forms. Once you’ve got the hang of it, maybe try a spiral or something geometric. Arborvitae actually handles regular trimming pretty well and tends to keep its shape throughout the seasons.
Try placing your topiary arborvitae where they’ll stand out, maybe as a focal point in a garden bed or framing your entryway. Just keep up with the maintenance so everything stays crisp and intentional.
13) Install arborvitae as a backdrop for seasonal displays
Arborvitae just works as a backdrop, especially when you want to show off seasonal decorations. The dense evergreen foliage gives you a textured, colorful canvas that really makes things like holiday lights or ornaments stand out.
During winter, stringing up some lights creates a cozy glow, and the thick branches actually hold decorations pretty well. It’s a simple way to add some depth and interest, especially when everything else is bare.
When spring and summer roll around, it’s fun to plant flowering plants at the base. You get that awesome contrast between bright blooms and the deep green background.
In fall, arborvitae makes decorating a breeze. Drape autumn garlands or stack up some pumpkins and containers nearby, and suddenly you’ve got instant curb appeal.
14) Create informal hedges with natural, untrimmed arborvitae
Natural arborvitae hedges bring a relaxed, easygoing vibe to your yard. Unlike those perfectly trimmed hedges, you can plant these a bit closer together and just let their branches do their thing.
Left untrimmed, arborvitae develops those soft curves and slightly varied heights that look, honestly, a lot less stuffy. This works especially well along property lines if you want privacy but don’t love a super formal look.
Try spacing your arborvitae around 4-6 feet apart for informal hedging. Over time, the branches fill in and you get a lush screen, but each tree still keeps some of its own character.
