Arborvitae and Oval-leaved privet are often considered for the same spot in the garden (hedge, screening). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Thuja occidentalis 3.5 m × 1.2 m after 10 years
A dense evergreen with scale-like foliage, planted in its columnar and conical forms (such as fast Brabant or slim Columna) as a clipped hedge or…
Ligustrum ovalifolium 3 m × 2 m after 10 years
An undemanding hedging shrub with glossy dark green leaves that thickens up quickly, grows in almost any soil and copes well with city air. It keeps…
Arborvitae: We do not recommend it for most Central European gardens.
Arborvitae is evergreen, Oval-leaved privet is semi-evergreen.
Arborvitae is hardier: down to -40 °C, against -23 °C for Oval-leaved privet.
Oval-leaved privet tolerates drought better than Arborvitae.
Oval-leaved privet needs less water than Arborvitae.
Oval-leaved privet also grows in shade, Arborvitae does not.
|
Feature
|
Arborvitae
|
Oval-leaved privet
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Hedge | Hedge |
| Size after 10 years | 3.5 m × 1.2 m | 3 m × 2 m |
| Ultimate size | 0.5–20 m × 0.5–4.5 m | 3–5 m × 2–4.5 m |
| Growth rate | Medium | Fast |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun, Part shade, Shade |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Hardiness | down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7) | down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Evergreen | Semi-evergreen |
| Flowering | no data | June–July, white |
| Water need | High | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Low | Medium |
| Maintenance | Medium | Medium |
| Planting distance | 70 cm | 35 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic (uncertain) | Toxic |
| For cats | Toxic (uncertain) | Toxic |
| For children | Toxic | Toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | approx. €8 | approx. €7 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 8, 2026
Besides the cookies the site needs to work, we would like to use analytics and advertising cookies (Google, Facebook), if you allow it. Details