Which Arborvitae Should I Plant? Green Giant vs. Emerald Green vs. Elegantissima vs. Golden Globe

Arborvitae is the most popular privacy and evergreen hedge plant in North America — but with so many varieties available, choosing the right one can be confusing. Green Giant, Emerald Green, Elegantissima, Golden Globe — they all look similar in photos but perform very differently in the landscape. This guide cuts through the confusion with a direct, honest comparison of all four varieties so you can choose the right arborvitae for your specific situation.

Quick Answer: Which Arborvitae Is Right for You?

If You Need...	Best Choice
A tall, fast privacy screen (40–60 ft)	Green Giant
A compact hedge that stays under 15 ft	Emerald Green
A mid-size screen (12–18 ft) with unique texture	Elegantissima
A compact golden accent or foundation shrub	Golden Globe
The fastest-growing privacy tree available	Green Giant
The best deer-resistant arborvitae	Green Giant
The most cold-hardy arborvitae (Zone 3)	Emerald Green or Golden Globe
The best arborvitae for dry or sandy soil	Elegantissima
Year-round golden color in a small space	Golden Globe

Side-by-Side Comparison: All Four Varieties

Feature	Green Giant	Emerald Green	Elegantissima	Golden Globe
Mature Height	40–60 ft	10–15 ft	12–18 ft	4–8 ft
Mature Width	12–20 ft	3–4 ft	4–6 ft	2–6 ft
Growth Rate	3–5 ft/yr	6–12 in/yr	Moderate	6–12 in/yr
Hardiness Zone	Zones 5–8	Zones 3–8	Zones 5–8	Zones 3–8
Foliage Color	Deep green	Rich emerald	Silvery-green, golden tips	Bright golden-yellow
Form	Broad pyramid	Narrow pyramid	Narrow column	Rounded globe
Deer Resistance	✅ Excellent	❌ Poor	🟡 Moderate	🟡 Moderate
Drought Tolerance	Good	Moderate	✅ Excellent	Moderate
Privacy Use	✅ Best	✅ Excellent	✅ Good	❌ Too short
Best For	Tall screen, windbreak	Compact hedge, Zone 3–4	Mid-height, dry sites	Accent, foundation, container

Green Giant Arborvitae: The Fast Privacy Champion

Green Giant is the undisputed champion for fast, tall privacy screens. Nothing else comes close to its combination of speed (3–5 ft/year), ultimate height (40–60 ft), deer resistance, and disease resistance. If you need a tall screen fast and have the space, Green Giant is the answer.

Choose Green Giant if:

• You need a tall privacy screen (20+ feet) and want it fast
• You have deer pressure — Green Giant is rarely browsed
• You have a large property with room for a 12–20 ft wide tree
• You’re in Zone 5–8
• You want the lowest-maintenance privacy tree available

Don’t choose Green Giant if: you’re in Zone 3–4, you have a small yard, or you want a hedge under 20 feet.

✅ Shop Green Giant Arborvitae →

Emerald Green Arborvitae: The Compact Hedge Standard

Emerald Green is the most popular compact privacy hedge in North America — and for good reason. At 10–15 feet tall and only 3–4 feet wide, it fits in spaces where Green Giant would be overwhelming. It holds its rich emerald color through winter better than almost any other arborvitae, and it’s hardy to Zone 3 where Green Giant won’t survive.

Choose Emerald Green if:

• You want a compact hedge that stays under 15 feet
• You’re in Zone 3 or 4 where Green Giant isn’t reliably hardy
• You need a narrow plant (3–4 ft wide) near structures or property lines
• You want the best winter color retention of any arborvitae
• You’re planting a formal, clean-looking hedge

Don’t choose Emerald Green if: you have heavy deer pressure (deer browse it heavily), you need a tall screen fast, or your site stays wet.

✅ Shop Emerald Green Arborvitae →

Elegantissima Arborvitae: The Elegant In-Between

Elegantissima is the arborvitae most people haven’t heard of — and the one that’s often the perfect fit. As an Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis), it has a distinctly different look from the standard Thuja varieties: fine, feathery foliage with a silvery-green to golden hue, a strongly columnar form, and superior drought tolerance. It hits the mid-size sweet spot at 12–18 feet — taller than Emerald Green, far more manageable than Green Giant.

Choose Elegantissima if:

• You want a mid-height screen (12–18 ft) that won’t outgrow your yard
• You have dry or sandy soil where other arborvitae struggle
• You want a more distinctive, textured look than standard Thuja varieties
• You want to alternate with Emerald Green for a two-tone hedge
• You’re in Zone 5–8 and want something between Emerald Green and Green Giant in size

Don’t choose Elegantissima if: you’re in Zone 3–4 (not reliably hardy), or you need a tall screen over 20 feet.

✅ Shop Elegantissima Arborvitae →

Golden Globe Arborvitae: The Golden Accent

Golden Globe is in a different category from the other three — it’s not a privacy plant, it’s a landscape accent. At 4–8 feet in a naturally rounded globe shape with vivid golden-yellow foliage year-round, it’s the arborvitae you choose when you want color, texture, and a compact focal point rather than height and screening.

Choose Golden Globe if:

• You want year-round golden color in a compact, manageable shrub
• You need a foundation planting, border accent, or container plant
• You want a self-maintaining rounded form with no pruning
• You’re in Zone 3–8 and want a cold-hardy golden evergreen
• You want to layer it in front of taller arborvitae for a professional landscape look

Don’t choose Golden Globe if: you need privacy screening — at 4–8 feet it’s too short for any meaningful screen.

✅ Shop Golden Globe Arborvitae →

Decision Guide: Choosing by Situation

By Hardiness Zone

• Zone 3–4: Emerald Green or Golden Globe — both hardy to Zone 3. Green Giant and Elegantissima are not reliably hardy below Zone 5.
• Zone 5–6: All four varieties perform well. Choose based on size and use.
• Zone 7–8: All four varieties work. Green Giant and Elegantissima are especially well-suited to the warmer end of their range.

By Deer Pressure

• High deer pressure: Green Giant is the clear winner — deer rarely touch it. Elegantissima and Golden Globe have moderate resistance. Emerald Green is frequently browsed and should be protected or avoided in high-deer areas.
• Low to moderate deer pressure: Any variety works. Protect young plants of all varieties with fencing or repellent in the first 1–2 years regardless.

By Soil Type

• Clay soil: Green Giant is the most clay-tolerant. Emerald Green and Golden Globe handle clay with good drainage. Elegantissima prefers well-drained soil.
• Sandy or dry soil: Elegantissima is the best choice — its superior drought tolerance makes it the most reliable arborvitae for dry sites once established.
• Wet soil: None of the four tolerate permanently waterlogged soil. Green Giant handles occasional wet conditions best.

By Size Need

• Under 10 feet: Golden Globe (4–8 ft)
• 10–15 feet: Emerald Green (10–15 ft)
• 12–18 feet: Elegantissima (12–18 ft)
• 20+ feet: Green Giant (40–60 ft)

By Use Case

• Tall privacy screen or windbreak: Green Giant
• Compact privacy hedge (under 15 ft): Emerald Green
• Mid-height privacy screen (12–18 ft): Elegantissima
• Foundation planting: Emerald Green or Golden Globe
• Driveway border: Emerald Green, Elegantissima, or alternating both
• Accent or specimen: Golden Globe or Elegantissima
• Container planting: Golden Globe
• Rock garden: Golden Globe
• Layered planting (tall + short): Green Giant or Elegantissima in back + Golden Globe in front

Can You Plant Multiple Varieties Together?

Absolutely — and mixing varieties often produces the most visually interesting and functional results. Here are the best combinations:

• Emerald Green + Elegantissima alternating: A two-tone hedge with rich emerald green alternating with silvery-golden foliage. Both stay in the 10–18 foot range for a cohesive hedge height. Visually striking and more interesting than a single-variety planting.
• Green Giant (back) + Golden Globe (front): A layered privacy planting — Green Giant provides the tall screen while Golden Globe adds golden color and texture at the base. Professional landscape design look with minimal effort.
• Elegantissima (back) + Golden Globe (front): A mid-height layered planting — the columnar Elegantissima provides the screen while Golden Globe anchors the base with golden color. Perfect for smaller yards where Green Giant would be too large.
• All four varieties: Use Green Giant for the back property line, Emerald Green or Elegantissima for side borders, and Golden Globe for foundation plantings and accents. A complete arborvitae landscape that covers every need.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest-growing arborvitae?

Green Giant Arborvitae is by far the fastest-growing variety — adding 3 to 5 feet per year under good conditions. Emerald Green and Golden Globe grow at a moderate pace of 6–12 inches per year. Elegantissima is also moderate. If speed is your priority, Green Giant is the clear choice.

What is the best arborvitae for privacy?

For tall privacy screens, Green Giant is the best choice — it grows fastest, gets tallest, and is the most deer-resistant. For a compact privacy hedge under 15 feet, Emerald Green is the standard. For a mid-height screen at 12–18 feet, Elegantissima is an excellent and underused option. Golden Globe is not suitable for privacy screening — it’s too short.

What is the most deer-resistant arborvitae?

Green Giant Arborvitae is the most deer-resistant variety by a significant margin — deer rarely browse it. Elegantissima and Golden Globe have moderate deer resistance. Emerald Green is the most susceptible to deer browse and should be protected or avoided in high-deer areas.

What arborvitae is best for Zone 3 or 4?

Emerald Green and Golden Globe are both hardy to Zone 3 (-40°F) and are the best choices for the coldest climates. Green Giant and Elegantissima are hardy to Zone 5 and are not reliably cold-hardy in Zone 3–4 winters.

How far apart should I plant arborvitae?

Spacing depends on the variety and use: Green Giant — 6–8 feet apart for a privacy hedge. Emerald Green — 3–4 feet apart. Elegantissima — 5–6 feet apart. Golden Globe — 3–4 feet apart for a mass planting, 4–6 feet for individual specimens. See each variety’s individual growing guide for detailed spacing recommendations.

Which arborvitae is best for clay soil?

Green Giant is the most tolerant of clay soil and occasional wet conditions. Emerald Green and Golden Globe handle clay reasonably well with good drainage. Elegantissima prefers well-drained soil and is the best choice for dry or sandy sites, but less ideal for heavy clay.

Read the Full Growing Guide for Each Variety