Never underestimate the value of good evergreen hedging in the garden. They offer so much – from privacy and shade to color and hardiness. Arborvitae (also known as thuja) is America's favorite TV personality Martha Stewart's favorite fast-growing hedge for a reason.
These quick-growing plants can help define the boundaries of your property in a short space of time, protect from strong winds, and the sound of traffic, and support local wildlife.
If you are looking for backyard landscaping ideas, arborvitaes can quickly add structure and shape to your yard.
Hedges are as important to many professional gardeners as lawns, flower beds, and vegetable plots. Shrinking garden size also means a loss of privacy, and a hedge can be a great way to provide some seclusion, not to mention reducing noise and perhaps even noisy neighbors, and with some species, providing food for the birds. They range from dwarf forms to very tall evergreens.
If you want to replicate Martha Stewart's impeccable landscape, we recommend planting your arborvitae now. Early fall is a great time to plant green boundaries for privacy and shelter – and they are better for garden wildlife than fences or walls. This tree is low-maintenance and popular for this reason – as well as its evergreen beauty.
This dense evergreen conifer has fan-like sprays with a spicy aroma. Arborvitae is a popular choice for any garden, displaying fresh green in spring and copper bronze shades in the fall. it can be prone to drying out, so it needs watering in spring and summer, and mulching to seal in the moisture over winter.
However, do bear in mind that arborvitae grow fast. They can achieve 1-2 feet (.31- .61 m) per year initially. Once mature they will produce up to 9 feet (2.74 m) annually. Although these are very hardy plants with few issues, they do not perform well in extremely hot, dry climates, dry winds, or particularly salty conditions. They are best suited to US hardiness zones 2-7, but many species work better in zones 5-8.
This lot of 10 Thuja Green Giant Arborvitaes from Walmart is perfect if you wish to replicate Stewart's plot, while this best-selling Thuja Green Giant from Fast Growing Trees is a good privacy option. However, this Emerald Green Thuja, also from Fast Growing Trees is perfect for copying the screening you would otherwise get from a garden fence.
Thuja plants don’t need much – if any – pruning. If necessary, you may wish to remove any dead or damaged plant material. In early spring the plant can be lightly pruned on the tips to encourage the natural pyramid shape that is often preferred. I am intrigued to see how Stewart shapes hers as the garden matures.
Shop garden privacy screens
If you want to add privacy and shade to you garden without planting, I always recommend screens, trellises and large planters. I've rounded up my favorite options below.
If redoing your landscaping is not an option, your garden may simply benefit for a simple garden screen. Durable and sturdy, this decorative design is perfect for smaller gardens.
This contemporary screening option is an excellent choice for the design consciousness among us. You can even trail climbing plants up the screen for added color.
Available in three different sizes, this modern planter, designed by Leanne Ford will add shade, privacy and when used as a planter, color and texture. Oversized planters are my favorite way to add life to my garden patios.
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Paloma Elsesser's living room color scheme is an unorthodox spin on 'bold neutrals' – it layers earthy tones with timeless texturesWarm neutrals and mid-century modern furniture unite in a unique way in the living room of the model's stunning Brooklyn townhouse
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French chefs swear by this powerful food processor – and I can see whyI made perfect hummus, pastry dough, and chopped vegetables in the Magimix food processor. Here's my professional review
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Martha Stewart's vertical kitchen storage changed everything I knew about open shelving – it's one of the cleverest uses of spaces I've seenMartha's Bedford home has long served as a source of design inspiration – but nothing has stopped me in my tracks quite like her ingenious kitchen storage
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Martha Stewart designed a neutral chair with a sophisticated presence that's strong enough to set the tone in your living room – and it's hiding on WayfairMartha's ultimate accent chair embodies country farmhouse living – designers say you can use such a piece to elevate a space completely
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Martha Stewart's 'homekeeping room' is a sophisticated twist on a classic garage – it's changed how I think about essential storage solutionsMartha transforms a room in her home into a storage space that is both highly functional and elevated thanks to its layout and accessories
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Martha Stewart painted her entryway in the style of a muralist known as the 'Yankee Da Vinci' in the '70s – her look remains a staple of New England design
Inspired by the artist Rufus Porter, Martha painted her foyer to encompass the beauty of the North Eastern outdoors – 55 years later, it's just as stylish
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Martha Stewart designed a chair inspired by her rustic Bedford farm – it's the perfect accent for 'discerning interior enthusiasts' (and nearly 50% off now)Stewart created a '60s-inspired coastal chair in a neutral colorway that promises 'year-round beauty' – and it's currently at one of the lowest prices we've seen
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Martha Stewart designed the perfect knife set that includes 'everything a home chef needs' – and it's currently discounted for a limited time
Cook like an icon with this high-quality knife set that works amazingly and looks great on your countertops – shop it for less before it sells out
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Martha Stewart called her unique Fifth Avenue kitchen her 'galley alley' – its metal surfaces teach us a lesson in modern home functionality
Stewart's New York home played host to a space unlike any other in her kitchen portfolio – years later, we're taking notes on its eternally practical design
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Martha Stewart designed the perfect neutral accent chair, and it's hidden on Wayfair (with over 20% off) – it's the ultimate living room must-have
We've found a chair that translates to every kind of living space, and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it's designed by none other than Martha Stewart
