If you are planning a privacy hedge, one of the biggest decisions is choosing the right cedar for the space. This is where many problems begin. A hedge may look perfect in the pot at the garden centre, but if the mature size, growth rate, or site preferences are not a good match, it can become too wide, too tall, too thin at the bottom, or too difficult to maintain. The best hedge is not simply the fastest grower or the narrowest plant. It is the one that suits your property, your privacy goals, and the growing conditions you actually have.
In the Pacific Northwest, customers often ask about a handful of popular choices: Smaragd, Pyramidalis, Brandon, Excelsa, and Green Giant. All of them can be useful privacy plants, but they are not interchangeable. Some are best for narrow, formal hedges. Others are better for larger screens with more room to grow. Some stay relatively refined. Others become substantial trees over time. Understanding those differences before you plant can save years of frustration later.
It also helps to remember that the word “cedar” is used loosely in garden centres and by homeowners. Many hedge plants sold as cedars are actually arborvitae, which are in the genus Thuja. Smaragd and Brandon are cultivars of Thuja occidentalis, often called eastern arborvitae. Excelsa is a cultivated form of Thuja plicata, our native western redcedar. Green Giant is a vigorous hybrid arborvitae known for very rapid growth. Even though they are often grouped together in casual conversation, they behave quite differently in the landscape.
Start with the space, not the plant
The smartest way to choose a hedge variety is to begin with the site. How much width do you really have? How tall do you want the finished hedge to be? Is the area exposed to hot sun, drying wind, reflected heat, or root competition from nearby trees? Does the soil drain well, or does it stay wet in winter? These questions matter because the mature size and site tolerance of the hedge will shape how successful it is. Washington State University’s screening guidance emphasizes matching plant size to the available space and avoiding the common mistake of choosing a plant first and worrying about its mature dimensions later. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
For example, a hedge planted along a narrow side yard beside a fence needs a very different plant than a hedge meant to screen a large backyard or acreage edge. A compact upright variety that works beautifully in a suburban lot may be completely overwhelmed on a rural property where a taller, broader screen is needed. On the other hand, a large vigorous variety can become a maintenance problem in a small lot if it is planted where a narrow hedge would have been the better choice.
For most Pacific Northwest gardens, these five options can be divided into two broad groups. Smaragd, Pyramidalis, and Brandon are generally better choices where you want a narrower hedge. Excelsa and Green Giant are better suited to larger spaces where more height and width are acceptable. That simple division helps narrow the decision right away.
Smaragd: the classic narrow formal hedge
Smaragd, often sold as Emerald Cedar or Emerald Green arborvitae, is one of the most popular privacy hedge plants for residential landscapes. There is a reason for that. It has a tidy, upright, narrow form and usually matures around 12 to 15 feet tall and about 3 to 4 feet wide, depending on conditions and age. That makes it a very practical choice for smaller yards, side boundaries, and places where you want privacy without giving up too much space. Iowa State and Colorado State extension sources both place Smaragd in that narrow, upright category at roughly 12 feet by 4 feet.
From a customer-service standpoint, Smaragd is often the easiest variety to recommend when someone says, “I want a green wall, but I do not have a lot of room.” It gives a formal, clean look and usually needs less width than the bigger hedge options. It is also easier to fit into urban and suburban landscapes without crowding walkways, driveways, or neighbouring properties.
The main caution with Smaragd is that it is not the fastest way to a huge privacy barrier. It fills in nicely, but it is not a giant tree in waiting. That is part of its appeal, but it also means patience is required. It is also a variety that benefits from consistent watering during establishment and can show winter burn or drought stress if planted in exposed, difficult conditions. For homeowners who want a neat, refined hedge and are comfortable with moderate growth, Smaragd is often one of the best overall choices.
Pyramidalis: a similar look with a bit more presence
Pyramidalis is often grouped with the narrow arborvitae types, and for good reason. It has an upright pyramidal form that works well as a screening hedge, especially where a strong vertical look is desired. In practical terms, it sits in a similar design category to Smaragd and Brandon: a narrower hedge choice for people who do not want the size of Green Giant or Excelsa.
Because naming and availability can vary a little by nursery, customers sometimes encounter Pyramidalis as more of a trade or nursery category than a universally consistent retail item. In general, it is used where a tighter, taller, upright hedge is wanted without the bulk of a large western redcedar type. It is a good option to consider when the goal is a formal privacy screen rather than a broad naturalized barrier.
For the average homeowner, the practical takeaway is this: if you like the general concept of Smaragd but want to compare it to another upright, narrow-form cedar, Pyramidalis belongs in that conversation. It is not the choice for a huge acreage screen, but it can be a good fit for narrower residential properties where vertical screening matters more than heavy width.
Brandon: a narrow hedge with good cold-season durability
Brandon is another Thuja occidentalis cultivar, and it is widely recognized as a narrow pyramidal form. Iowa State lists Brandon at about 12 to 15 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, while the University of Minnesota places it at about 12 to 15 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide and notes that its foliage is resistant to winter burn.
That width range matters. Brandon is still a narrower hedge plant than Excelsa or Green Giant, but it is often a little broader than Smaragd. In a landscape, that can be either an advantage or a drawback depending on the site. If you want a hedge that still feels fairly upright but has a bit more body, Brandon may appeal to you. If you are trying to save every possible foot of width, Smaragd may still be the better fit.
Brandon can be a very good privacy hedge choice where the goal is a traditional cedar look without going to a giant scale. It works well for property lines, backyard screening, and foundation-to-fence corridors where moderate width is acceptable. Because of its reputation for better winter appearance, it can also be appealing in exposed sites, though Pacific Northwest performance still depends heavily on proper planting, watering, and soil conditions.
If you are comparing Brandon to Smaragd, think of Brandon as the slightly broader, slightly more substantial cousin. Both are useful. The better choice depends on how narrow you need the hedge to stay and how formal you want the finished look to be.
Excelsa: one of the best larger hedges for the Pacific Northwest
Excelsa is a very important hedge option in our region because it is a cultivated form of western redcedar, a tree native to the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State notes that Thuja plicata, western redcedar, prefers moist, well-drained fertile soils, tolerates sun to partial shade, and can be maintained in a hedge. Seattle’s urban forestry information describes Excelsa as a smaller, denser form of native western redcedar, good for screening, tolerant of damp soils, and reaching roughly 40 feet tall with a spread around 15 feet.
For regional landscapes, that native connection is one reason Excelsa is so attractive. It feels at home here. It suits larger Pacific Northwest gardens well and creates a softer, more natural-looking screen than a tightly clipped formal arborvitae hedge. It is especially useful where the goal is not just privacy, but also wind filtering, background greenery, and a hedge that looks more like part of the landscape than a rigid green wall.
The trade-off is size. Excelsa is not a small-lot hedge for tight spaces. Even though it is considered denser and somewhat more compact than straight western redcedar, it still becomes a substantial plant over time. That means it belongs where you can give it real width and height. If you plant it in a narrow suburban strip and hope to keep it tiny forever, you will probably end up frustrated.
There is one more important regional point. Western redcedar has been showing drought-related decline in parts of the Pacific Northwest, with Washington DNR and other researchers linking reduced health to warmer, drier conditions and hot drought stress. That does not mean Excelsa is a bad hedge choice here. It does mean it should be planted thoughtfully, especially in sites that become very dry in summer or have intense heat exposure.
When it has enough room and decent moisture, Excelsa is often one of the best privacy hedge options for larger Pacific Northwest properties. It feels appropriate to the region, screens well, and develops into a handsome substantial hedge. For many local landscapes, it is a stronger fit than forcing a very formal narrow hedge into a place where a bigger screening plant would actually do the job better.
Green Giant: fast, vigorous, and only for bigger spaces
Green Giant is the variety people often ask about when speed is the main concern. It is known for very rapid growth, and NC State describes it as capable of growing 3 to 4 feet per year in optimal conditions, eventually reaching around 40 to 60 feet tall and 12 to 18 feet wide. Sources similarly describe it as a large, fast-growing screening plant that becomes a giant hedge or major privacy feature rather than a modest residential border.
This makes Green Giant both exciting and potentially misleading. If someone wants quick privacy, Green Giant sounds ideal, and in the right location it can be. But it is not a substitute for Smaragd in a tight yard. It is a very different class of hedge. It is best where there is plenty of room for height and width and where the customer actually wants a large screen, not a narrow formal line.
Green Giant can be an excellent choice for screening a large neighbouring building, buffering wind, bordering a larger property, or creating privacy on a scale that smaller arborvitae simply cannot match. It is much less appropriate for narrow urban lot lines, small patios, or places close to fences and structures unless the homeowner is prepared for constant management.
In other words, Green Giant is not the “best” cedar hedge for privacy in general. It is the best cedar hedge for privacy in the right large space where speed and scale matter most. Used correctly, it is impressive. Used in the wrong place, it quickly becomes a pruning problem.
So which one is best?
The best variety depends on the kind of privacy you need. If you want a narrow, tidy, more formal hedge for a typical residential lot, Smaragd is usually one of the safest and most practical and popular choices. If you want something still upright but a little fuller, Brandon or Pyramidalis may be worth considering. If you have a larger Pacific Northwest property and want a bigger, more natural-looking screen, Excelsa is often an excellent regional fit. If you want a very fast, very large screen and have the room to support it, Green Giant is the standout for scale and speed.
That is why the real answer is not a single winner. It is a matching exercise. The wrong hedge in the wrong place will disappoint you, even if it is an excellent plant in a different setting. The right hedge, matched to the site and your expectations, will save maintenance, reduce stress, and give you better privacy over the long term.
A simple way to choose
If your planting area is narrow and you want a clean, refined look, start with Smaragd. If you want that same general category but with a little more width or body, compare Brandon and Pyramidalis. If your site is larger and you want a Pacific Northwest-style screening plant that feels more natural and substantial, look closely at Excelsa. If you need the fastest large-scale screen and have lots of room, Green Giant is the one to consider.
Also think beyond the first few years. Ask what the hedge will look like in ten years, not just one or two. Will it still fit the width of the bed? Will you still be happy with the height? Will it require constant trimming to stay under control? Those are the questions that usually separate a hedge that stays enjoyable from one that becomes a burden.
Final thoughts
Privacy hedges are long-term plantings, so variety choice matters a great deal. Smaragd, Pyramidalis, Brandon, Excelsa, and Green Giant all have a place, but each one solves a different problem. Narrow lot line? Smaragd may be ideal. Need a little more width and body? Brandon may suit you better. Want a larger regional screen? Excelsa is often a strong Pacific Northwest choice. Need a giant fast screen? Green Giant may be the answer.
The best hedge is the one that fits your space honestly. It should give you privacy without creating years of avoidable pruning, crowding, or disappointment. If you are not sure which variety is right, bring in the length of the area, the width you can spare, and a few photos of the site. Choosing the right cedar at the beginning is one of the best things you can do for the long-term success of your hedge.