Excellent as hedges, feature shrubs, and foundation plants, arborvitae are remarkably evergreen four seasons of the year. The American Arborvitae is surprisingly resistant to pollution, which makes it an exceptional plant for city and suburban landscaping. One big benefit of evergreen arborvitae is that they grow quite dense, which makes them a natural hedge-fence, providing security and screening. Both arborvitae featured below, the American Arborvitae and the Thuja Green Giant, can easily top 14 feet, making it a large feature plant.
- How to Grow an American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
Also known as: Smaragd Arborvitae, American arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis EMERALD, Thuja occidentalis ‘Emerald Green’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Emeraude’, White Cedar ‘Smaragd’, Northern White Cedar, Eastern White Cedar, White Cedar
Plant Description: American Arborvitae is a narrow, dense, pyramidal bright green evergreen which looks beautiful year-round. This slow growing evergreen has a narrow habit with interesting sprays of glossy green foliage. This shrub is known to grow in wet forests and swampy areas.
Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Sun/Shade: Full sun to part shade
Cultivation: Easily grown in a wide range of soil conditions including sandy, heavy clay, and black walnut garden soils. Tolerates air pollution very well. Intolerant of drought and dry conditions. Color is best in full sun, but does well with some afternoon shade in hot climates. Full shade increases the risk of foliar diseases. Strong winter wind will cause winter burn and is susceptible to stem breakage from ice and snow accumulations.
Height: 12 to 14 feet (3.6 to 4.3 meters)
Width: 3 to 4 feet (.91 to 1.21 meters)
Bloom: N/A
Bloom Time: N/A
Origin: Northeastern United States
Zones: zone 2, zone 3, zone 4, zone 5, zone 6, zone 7
Wildlife: Birds
Landscape Uses: Specimen plant, accent plant, hedges, screening, back of border garden shrub, foundation plant, fence line shrub, topiary and container gardens, urban garden, woodland garden windbreak, traditional garden, winter garden
Special Features: Given the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society. Reliable and cold weather resistant with strong winter interest. Deer love this plant, particularly as a winter food and strip these evergreens quickly. If growing on the side of a cliff or somewhere that is inaccessible to deer, it can become long-lived. The oldest known specimen is over 1,600 years old.
- How to Grow a Thuja Green Giant (Thuja standishii x plicata)
Also known as: Western red cedar, Pacific red cedar, Giant arborvitae, Western arborvitae, Giant cedar, Shinglewood
Plant Description: Thuja Green Giant Arborvitae is a narrow, dense, pyramidal green evergreen which looks beautiful year-round. This fast-growing evergreen has a narrow habit with interesting sprays of glossy green foliage. Can easily jump 3 to 4 feet in growth annually. Small light-brown seed cones appear seasonally.
Plant Type: Needled evergreen
Sun/Shade: Full sun to part shade
Cultivation: Easily grown in a wide range of soil conditions including sandy garden soils. Prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. Color is best in full sun, but does well with afternoon shade, particularly in hot climates. Full shade increases the risk of foliar diseases. Strong winter wind will cause winter burn and is susceptible to stem breakage from ice and snow accumulations.
Height: 12 to 14 feet (3.6 to 4.3 meters)
Width: 3 to 4 feet (.91 to 1.21 meters)
Bloom: N/A
Bloom Time: N/A
Origin: Western North America
Zones: zone 5, zone 6, zone 7, zone 8
Wildlife: Birds
Landscape Uses: Specimen plant, accent plant, hedges, screening, back of border garden shrub, foundation plant, fence line shrub, topiary and container gardens, woodland garden windbreak, traditional garden, winter garden
Special Features: Noted as one of the most widespread trees throughout the Pacific Northwest. The largest living specimen is located in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve on Vancouver Island, named Cheewhat Giant. The tallest known tree is 195 feet tall and is the ‘Quinault Lake Redcedar’.
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