Thuja Hedge Plants
Evergreen conifer hedging · Root balled 100–200cm

Thuja Hedge Plants

Compare Thuja sizes and prices
Thuja hedging forms a soft, fragrant evergreen conifer screen that stays green all year and is far easier to keep in check than Leylandii.We grow two: Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), a vigorous, glossy hedge for screens of 2–4m and more, and White Cedar 'Smaragd' (Thuja occidentalis), a narrow, bright emerald conifer for neat hedges of 1.5–3m. Both are supplied root balled from 100cm to 200cm for an instant screen.

Which conifer hedge is right for you?

Choose by the height you want and how much width you can give the hedge.
A tall, quick screenWestern Red Cedar grows 30–60cm a year into a dense hedge of 2–4m or more, and regrows from older wood far better than Leylandii.A neat, narrow hedgeWhite Cedar 'Smaragd' keeps a slim, upright shape with bright green foliage, ideal for front gardens and boundaries of 1.5–3m.The fastest coniferLeylandii grows 60cm or more a year for very tall screens, but needs trimming two or three times a year and will not regrow from brown wood.A long-lived formal hedgeEnglish Yew is slower but makes the finest formal conifer hedge, grows in shade and can be cut back hard at any age.
  • SALEWestern Red Cedar hedging plantsWestern Red Cedar HedgeThuja plicataWestern Red Cedar grows 30–60cm a year into a dense hedge of 2–4m or more, and regrows from older wood far better than Leylandii.EvergreenFast 30-60cm per yearRoot BalledPot GrownPrice From £21.95Shop now
  • White Cedar hedging foliageWhite Cedar HedgeThuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'White Cedar 'Smaragd' keeps a slim, upright shape with bright green foliage, ideal for front gardens and boundaries of 1.5–3m.EvergreenSlow 10-20cm per yearRoot BalledPot GrownPrice From £21.95Shop now

Western Red Cedar or White Cedar 'Smaragd'?

Both are Thuja, but they make very different hedges.
CompareWestern Red CedarWhite Cedar 'Smaragd'
GrowthFast, 30–60cm a yearSlow, 10–20cm a year
ShapeBroad and bushyNarrow and upright
FoliageGlossy dark green, fruity scentBright emerald green
Best hedge height2–4m and taller1.5–3m
TrimmingTwice a yearOnce a year
Plants per metre2–33
View Western Red CedarView White Cedar 'Smaragd'

Thuja sizes, prices and plants per metre

All our Thuja is root balled: field grown and lifted with its soil intact, for planting from autumn to spring. Pack prices are lower than the single-plant prices below.

PlantRoot-balled sizePlants per metrePrice eachCost per metre
Western Red Cedar100–125cm3£21.95about £66
Western Red Cedar125–150cm3£32.95about £99
Western Red Cedar150–175cm2£39.95about £80
Western Red Cedar175–200cm2£48.95about £98
White Cedar 'Smaragd'100–125cm3£21.95about £66
White Cedar 'Smaragd'125–150cm3£36.95about £111
White Cedar 'Smaragd'150–175cm3£52.95about £159

For a hedge that looks finished straight away, choose 150cm or taller. Smaller plants cost less per metre and establish faster, so they suit longer runs where you can wait a season or two.

Gwynne Bodsworth, founder and grower at Hedging Plants Direct
Expert nursery advice

Gwynne's Grower's Tip

Most people who ask for Thuja really want a Leylandii-style screen that is easier to live with. If you want height, Western Red Cedar is the one: it grows almost as fast and, unlike Leylandii, it will green up again if you ever have to cut it back.

Choose 'Smaragd' only where you want a narrow hedge that stays around head height. It is slow, so buy it at the size you need rather than waiting for it to grow.

Gwynne BodsworthGrower, Hedging Plants Direct
Read the Thuja hedge care guide →
Helpful answers

Thuja hedging questions

01Is Thuja the same as Leylandii?

No. Both are evergreen conifers, but Thuja has softer, flatter foliage with a fruity scent and is easier to manage. Western Red Cedar regrows from older wood where Leylandii will not, and White Cedar 'Smaragd' grows far more slowly.

02How fast does Thuja grow?

Western Red Cedar grows around 30–60cm a year once established, so it makes a tall screen quickly. White Cedar Smaragd grows only 10–20cm a year, which is why it is chosen for neat, narrow hedges that stay at a set height.

03When is root-balled Thuja delivered?

Root-balled Thuja is lifted while dormant and delivered from autumn to spring, depending on the weather. Plant it as soon as possible, keep the root ball intact and water it well through its first spring and summer.

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Helpful next steps

Growing Advice for Thuja Hedge Plants

Thuja Hedging - Western Red CedarCare GuideThuja Hedge Care GuidePractical UK advice for planting, spacing, watering, feeding, pruning and maintaining Thuja hedging, including Western Red Cedar, White Cedar ‘Smaragd’ and common causes of brown foliage.Read care guide Mature Green Leylandii hedge maintained as a dense evergreen screenCare GuideLeylandii Hedge Care GuideAdvice on planting, spacing, watering and pruning Green and Golden Leylandii, including managing fast growth and keeping your hedge healthy.Read care guide

What is Western Red Cedar Hedging?

Thuja hedging is renowned for its dense, lush foliage and rapid growth rate, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a low-maintenance, yet highly effective garden barrier.

This species, commonly referred to as Western Red Cedar, thrives in a variety of soil conditions and climates, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptability, making it an excellent choice for conifer hedging.

Thuja hedging is particularly valued for its ability to maintain a vibrant, green appearance throughout the year, providing continuous coverage and aesthetic appeal.

Whether used in residential gardens or large-scale landscaping projects, Thuja hedging proves to be a versatile and reliable option for creating secluded, tranquil outdoor spaces.

Row of tall Thuja conifers forming an evergreen hedge