How to Landscape With Green Giant Arborvitae

Plant a Green Giant arborvitae in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates partial shade but the trees lose their dense pyramidal shape and are much less attractive. For fastest growth, water the tree often enough to keep the soil moist and feed it in late winter and midsummer with a shrub fertilizer.

Plant multiple specimens 15 feet apart to use Green Giant as a wind screen or tall hedge. For the best wind resistance, plant the trees in staggered rows.

Install just one tree in your front yard as a living Christmas tree. If necessary, shape the tree gently when young to accentuate its natural conical shape.

Top the shrub when it reaches the desired height if you're growing it as a medium-sized hedge. Since this cultivar naturally grows so tall, for best results shape the hedge while the trees are still young for the most natural appearance. Trim the hedge so the bottom is wider than the top to keep the foliage dense to ground level.

Use Green Giant as the focal point in a mixed border. Surround it with rounded plants that contrast with its conical shape. It also makes a good background for gold-colored evergreens and deciduous trees and shrubs with brilliant fall color.