Arborvitae Landscaping Ideas

If you’re looking for a versatile and beautiful evergreen for your yard, arborvitae landscaping ideas can provide the perfect starting point. These hardy plants offer year-round structure and come in many shapes and sizes, making them a favorite for creative outdoor design.

Their dense, scale-like foliage provides excellent privacy and a lush green backdrop. Whether you have a modern courtyard or a sprawling traditional garden, there’s an arborvitae variety to suit your needs. Let’s look at some practical ways to use them.

This section covers the core concepts for using arborvitae effectively. From choosing the right spot to understanding their growth habits, these fundamentals will set you up for success.

Understanding Arborvitae Varieties

Not all arborvitae are the same. Picking the right one is the first step to a great design.

Emerald Green (Smaragd): A classic, narrow column perfect for tight spaces and privacy screens. It maintains its bright green color in winter.
Green Giant: Fast-growing and large, ideal for quick windbreaks or a big property line. It’s also resistant to deer browsing.
Techny (Mission): A hardy, broad pyramid shape that stays dark green all year. It’s very cold-tolerant and holds its shape without much pruning.
Globes and Dwarfs (like ‘Danica’ or ‘Hetz Midget’): These rounded, slow-growing forms are perfect for foundation plantings, containers, or low borders.

Site Selection and Planting Basics

Arborvitae thrive with good planning. Follow these steps for healthy plants.

Sunlight: Most varieties need full sun to partial shade (at least 6 hours of direct sun). Too much shade leads to thin, sparse growth.
Soil and Drainage: They prefer moist, well-drained soil. Avoid areas where water pools, as “wet feet” can cause root rot.
Spacing is Key: Check the mature width of your chosen variety. For a screen, plant them slightly closer than their mature width so they grow together. For individual specimens, give them room to reach their natural form.
Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Loosen the roots if pot-bound, place it in the hole, and backfill with the original soil. Water deeply.

Creative Design Concepts for Your Yard

Now for the fun part—using arborvitae to shape your outdoor space. Here are actionable concepts you can adapt.

1. The Living Privacy Screen

This is the most popular use. A green wall is more natural and lasting than a fence.

For a tall screen, use ‘Green Giant’ or ‘Virescens’.
For a medium-height, dense screen, ‘Emerald Green’ is unbeatable.
Plant in a straight line, or stagger two rows for extra thickness. Remember to check local ordinances about height limits on property lines.

2. Foundation Planting with Structure

Use arborvitae to anchor your home to the landscape.

Flank your front door with two matching columnar arborvitae for symmetrical elegance.
Incorporate globe-shaped dwarfs at the corners of the house or under windows to soften hard edges.
Mix them with flowering shrubs and perennials for textural contrast. The evergreen backdrop makes seasonal colors pop.

3. Formal Garden Accents

Their neat shapes lend themselves to structured designs.

Create a pair of spiral-topiaried arborvitae in pots by your garden gate.
Plant a small allée of columnar types to line a walkway, guiding the eye and feet.
Use low, rounded varieties to edge a parterre garden, defining the spaces between flowers.

4. Natural Windbreaks and Sound Barriers

Plant a row of thick, tall arborvitae on the windy side of your property.

This reduces heating costs, protects more delicate plants, and muffles street noise. ‘Green Giant’ or ‘Techny’ are excellent for this tough job. They grow fast and create a durable buffer against the elements.

5. Container Gardening for Small Spaces

Don’t have a big yard? Dwarf arborvitae thrive in large pots.

Choose a container with excellent drainage holes that is at least 16-20 inches wide.
Use a high-quality potting mix. You can underplant with trailing ivy or seasonal pansies for a full look.
Place potted arborvitae on a patio, balcony, or flanking a front steps for year-round greenery.
Water container more frequently than in-ground plants, as they dry out faster.

Companion Planting Ideas

Arborvitae pair beautifully with other plants. Here’s what works well.

For Color: Hydrangeas, panicle hydrangeas (like ‘Limelight’), roses, and azaleas. The green makes their blooms stand out.
For Texture: Ornamental grasses (like fountain grass), hostas, and ferns provide a soft contrast to the arborvitae’s dense needles.
Spring Bulbs: Daffodils, tulips, and crocus planted at the base welcome spring before the arborvitae’s background greens up fully.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Keeping your arborvitae healthy is simple with a little attention.

Watering: Water deeply once a week during the first growing season and during dry spells. Established plants are more drought-tolerant but appreciate water in a heat wave.
Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch (wood chips, bark) around the base, keeping it away from the trunk. This retains moisture and suppresses weeds.
Pruning: The best time is early spring. Lightly trim to maintain shape or control size. Avoid cutting back into old, brown wood, as it may not regrow. You can also prune lightly in mid-summer if needed.
Winter Care: In snowy areas, gently brush heavy snow off branches to prevent bending or breaking. For young plants, burlap screens can protect from winter burn caused by wind and sun.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even tough plants can have issues. Here’s how to spot and adress them.

Brown Foliage: Inner brown needles in fall are normal shedding. Outer browning can be from drought, winter burn, or poor drainage.
Bagworms: Look for small, pinecone-like bags hanging from branches. Hand-pick them off in winter or use an appropriate insecticide in early summer when larvae are active.
Spider Mites: Cause foliage to look dusty or bronzed. Spray with a strong jet of water or use horticultural oil.
Deer: While some varieties are resistant, deer may browse on others. Use physical barriers or repellents if they are a problem in your neighborhood.

FAQ Section

How fast do arborvitae grow?
It depends on the variety. ‘Green Giant’ can grow 3 feet per year. ‘Emerald Green’ grows about 1 foot per year. Dwarf types may only grow 1-3 inches annually.

What is the best arborvitae for privacy?
‘Emerald Green’ is excellent for a dense, medium-height screen. For a very tall, fast screen, choose ‘Green Giant’.

Can you plant arborvitae close to the house?
Yes, but consider the mature width. Plant at least 3-4 feet from the foundation to allow for air circulation and future growth. This prevents moisture issues and gives you access for maintenance.

Why are my newly planted arborvitae turning brown?
This is often due to transplant shock or underwatering. Ensure they are getting deep weekly waterings. Check that the root ball hasn’t dried out completely, which can happen even if the surface soil is moist.

How far apart should I space arborvitae for a screen?
For ‘Emerald Green’, 2-3 feet apart is common. For ‘Green Giant’, 5-6 feet apart is typical. Always refer to the nursery tag for the specific variety’s recommendation.

With these arborvitae landscaping ideas, you can create a yard that is both private and beautiful. Start by choosing the right variety for your goal, plant it correctly, and enjoy the evergreen structure it brings for years to come. Remember, the best landscape is one that fits your life and brings you joy every time you step outside.