However, a closer look at the scale-like leaves reveals its heritage. (See What to Plant in Your Fall Garden). This tiny evergreen doesn't need any pruning to keep its tight, rounded shape.

Height/Spread: 20 feet tall, 4-5 feet wide.

This variety does well against the sides of houses and as a background landscaping accent. This tree is a prime example of how naming plants is confusing! Most arborvitae varieties prefer the same type of conditions. Give arborvitaes a light pruning in early spring to keep them tidy and encourage thicker growth. Remove accumulated dead foliage inside the plant annually or more frequently to improve air circulation and reduce chance of disease. Planting the trees too close together will lead to less healthy trees in the future. These ancient trees can live up to 1,000 years old!

Overall, its growth rate is average. Due to their year-round foliage, quick growth habit, and ease of care, landscapers often use arborvitae when installing a visual barrier. Plant only in well-drained soil, or add amendments to improve drainage if your soil contains a lot of sand or clay. Does not grow attractively in full shade.

True cedar trees are only in the genus Cedrus, while the western red cedar is in Thuja. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

In the wild, the western red cedar can tower up to 175 feet tall. Anna's Magic Ball Buy now from Proven Winners Considered more deer resistant than Thuja occidenalis specimens. Some are very fast growers adding 3 to 4 feet per year, while others, such as dwarfs and miniatures, grow much slower. However, they may succumb to needle and twig blight caused by fungal attack, especially if air circulation is inhibited by crowding plants too closely together.

This will prevent decay and allow new growth to fill in the gaps.

Partially fill the pot with a high-quality potting mix, preferably one specifically formulated for evergreens.

Spider mites and stem canker can also be problems. Occidentalis means western in Latin, meant to differentiate this Thuja from its old-world counterparts. If deer are a problem in your garden, try giant arborvitae like Spring Grove or a juniper.

More about the newsletter. This article was originally published on June 25, 2004. In form, arborvitae cultivars vary from narrow to broadly pyramidal to globe-shaped. It maintains a natural rounded shape, growing up to 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity.

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Not everybody wants a tall, narrow kind of arborvitae and/or a plant with a fast growth rate. No new growth will occur once the branch tips have been cut, and youll end up with a permanent buzz cut. Humans have bred Thuja occidentalis and Thuja plicata for specific traits that make them successful landscaping plants.

This type of arborvitae has drooping foliage that hangs from multiple stems. Typically, many of these trees are planted just a few feet apart from each other in a line. These trees are typically well-stocked at most nurseries. T. occidentalisGolden Globe bucks the trend, having a round shape and displaying foliage of a light golden color.

This bright little orb of gold is a great choice for providing winter interest and mixing with other shrubs to add contrast. Arborvitae (Thuja) is a genus of five species, but these two North American natives are the most common: You can plant an arborvitae at any time of year, but fall is typically the best season because the cooler temperatures prevent heat stress and the moisture from fall rains helps to establish a strong, healthy root system. Much like the western red cedar, this arborvitae is a. that provided crucial materials for indigenous people of the eastern U.S. Another common name for the eastern arborvitae is the northern white cedar.

Some people think that arborvitae are overused in residential areas and that there are more interesting plants to choose from for privacy screens.

Doesnt do well in drought. The Danica arborvitae is a true dwarf variety.

Will grow in most average soils. Most arborvitaes have flattened, lacy aromatic needles, ranging from emerald green to gold. Needs a moderate amount of moisture.

The foliage of the whipcord arborvitae is long, slender leaves that droop almost like the weeping arborvitae. What Do Plant Veins and Leaves Actually Do? Mounded, conical, pyramidal, rounded, or pendulous, depending on the cultivar. (See.

In some cases, this arborvitae variety can act almost as a ground cover. Arborvitae is a popular evergreen plant for hedges and borders, especially the types that sport a trim, vertical shape. Move the pot around every once in a while to prevent this from happening.

Somewhat broad soil tolerance.

Varieties used in landscaping are typically under 50 feet tall. Large trees can exceed heights of 70 feet and widths of 25 feet. Choose a suitable pot size (one a few inches larger than the size of the root ball) to give the roots ample growing room.

The ten plants described thereafter are horticultural varieties of Thuja plicata and Thuja occidentalis. A list of widely planted Thuja occidentalis cultivars, along with their growth characteristics, is provided below. The western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is native to western U.S. Yikes!

They are not as cold hardy either, and are best planted in zones 5 to 7. . Photo by: Ozgur Coskun / Shutterstock. Some of the attributes that make arborvitae successful privacy hedges also make them effective windbreaks. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.

Arborvitaes will retain their natural shape as they mature, and regular pruning usually isn't necessary.

If your heart is set on arborvitae for a specific application, you can likely find a plant that will suit your needs, but you may need to compromise, including the possibility of going over your budget for landscaping. (800) 262-3804, Iowa State University|PoliciesState & National Extension Partners, by Richard Jauron, Department of Horticulture, Like us at Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic, Like us at Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology. Arborvitae can also be severely damaged by browsing deer in winter. Some of the attributes that make arborvitae successful privacy hedges also make them effective windbreaks. (In fall, some browning and needle drop is normal.) These evergreens keep their needles year-round, meaning they provide privacy during every season. Storm-damaged arborvitaes can often be rejuvenated by pulling the drooping branches upright with ties and pruning off broken limbs.

Height/Spread: 5-10 feet tall, 3-5 feet wide.

On this page: Basics | Types | Planting | Care | Pruning | Design Ideas | Arborvitae Varieties. Upon initial appearance, it doesnt look like an arborvitae. Some types of arborvitae are globe Acting as a wall, the trees create a zone behind them with substantially less wind. Featuring dark green foliage in winter, this selection is also resistant to winter burn. The globe-shaped varieties of arborvitae In heavy shade, arborvitae become loose and open. T. plicata.

, a productive forest in central Japan.

This is a small genus of coniferous, evergreen trees; it only contains five species of trees. Luckily, there are types of arborvitae that can fit the bill.

Arborvitae is generally intolerant of drought, but North Pole arborvitae (ThujaoccidentalisArt Boe) displays unexpectedly good drought-tolerance in the Northeast and other northern climates in the United States. This dwarf arborvitae is slow-growing. Generally, arborvitae is not an exceptionally fast-growing shrub.

For arborvitaes in containers, fertilize regularly to replace nutrients that leach out of the soil.

Before you commit to arborvitae, you should consider true cedars as well! This arborvitae is an excellent contender for privacy hedges because it has multiple leaders, meaning the top of the tree may be more full than some other arborvitae varieties. While the western red cedar gave arborvitae their namesake, the eastern arborvitae (. ) Select the right ornamental or fruit-bearing tree for your garden. Give newly planted shrubs about an inch of water a week during the growing season. Sign up for our newsletter.

After planting, water the soil thoroughly and then lightly tap the surface to remove any air pockets.

Remove dead or diseased branches at the point where they leave the trunk. . Some specimens can reach 30 feet tall, but this is unusual.

To control blight, prune off all affected branches and treat with a fungicide. Maintain the natural shape of your arborvitaewider at the bottom than the top.

Works well in rain gardens.

Suggested uses: Screening, mass planting, focal point, large containers. Prefers south-facing slopes, so presumably prefers full sun. Which evergreen trees perform well in home landscapes in Iowa? Along with sequoias, douglas fir, eucalyptus, and redwoods, the, and 1,000 years old.

The mossy-green foliage bronzes slightly in winter. What Is No Till Farming?

To help retain moisture, spread a layer of mulch or compost over the top of the container around the root ball.

This cultivar retains its attractive teardrop shape naturally with green foliage year-round, bringing structure and interest to winter gardens.

Thrives in part shade in warmer climates or full sun in cooler climates. T. occidentalis. FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: Plants, Design Ideas, Gardening Solutions & More!

Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated.

See these winter care tips from the University of Illinois Extension.

Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Suggested uses: Privacy screen, formal hedge, or topiary. Neutral to slightly alkaline, well-drained loam. Evergreen Shrubs. native to eastern North America. Ames, IA 50011-2031

Arborvitae is Latin for "tree of life.". Cultivars vary in size from dwarf, 1- to 2- foot-tall shrubs to 30-foot-tall trees. Interestingly, it isnt actually a cedar! Acting as a wall, the trees create a zone behind them with substantially less wind.

They are also used as specimen plants at the corners of homes.

Decrease the frequency of watering as the roots become established.

When they grow up, they create a green wall of dense foliage that divides spaces.

In places like California, eucalyptus and acacia are other kinds of trees often employed for windbreaks. The Japanese thuja isnt commonly used as an arborvitae in landscaping. Perfect

Reaching an ultimate height of 10 to 15 feet and spread of 3 to 4 feet, it stays narrow and compact with minimal pruning.

Although densely branched, the narrow form may make it susceptible to breakage from ice and snow accumulation. While no conifers are currently extinct, they are a very threatened group of trees.

If any of these arborvitae caught your eye, youre probably in luck! If you plan to do this, make sure your plant wont tip over in a windstorm.

Furthermore, their growth can be as fast as 5 feet per year. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design.

Staggering arborvitaes in a zig-zag pattern instead of cramming them into a tight row will look more natural and give them more space. In fact, it was thought to be the only conifer extinct in the wild until it was, in Sichuan province in 1999. As suggested by its name, these trees are particularly relevant for inhabitants of colder climates.

Western red cedar wood is rot-resistant with clear grain, making it ideal for construction. The foliage on this plant has an intriguing, lacy, layered appearance.

Photo by: yarinkamoozova / Shutterstock. A privacy hedge of arborvitae completely obscures the landscape behind it. plants or part of a bed in the front landscape. This large arborvitae can grow up to 60 feet tall, making it one of the taller arborvitae varieties available. These evergreen shrub trees will grow most dense in full sun. This variety does well against the sides of houses and as a background landscaping accent.

Both, however, are in the same plant family, Cupressaceae. Height/Spread: 30-40 feet tall, 15-20 feet wide, Suggested uses: Tall hedge, specimen tree, or natural windbreak. These trees are typically well-stocked at most nurseries.

However, several yellow or gold-leaved varieties are also available. The Techny arborvitae is named after the town of Techny, Illinois, where it was found.

While often planted as a continuous tall hedge, most arborvitae also work well as stand-alone plants.

The Danica arborvitae can frame pathways, entrances, and define outdoor areas.

Gold-Leaved Shrubs for the Home Landscape, Large Shrubs or Small Trees for the Home Landscape. For example, in addition to wanting a plant of a particular color, you may want a plant that: In general, different arborvitae shrubs score pretty well on one or more of these criteria, but no type is exceptional on all three counts. It reaches 10 to 15 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide. The Korean thuja lives in both North and South Korea as well as one locality in China. This reduced wind decreases crop evapotranspiration, wind damage, and can make a residential area more pleasant.

All Rights Reserved. Get planting advice, garden design tips and trends, monthly checklists for your area, product specials and more in our weekly newsletter. Place the root ball on top of the soil in the middle of the pot, and then add more soil until it reaches the top of the root ball. The north pole arborvitae is perfect for privacy hedges. Copyright 2022ISU Extension and Outreach These trees grow well in most areas of the U.S. other than the hotter, southern states. A stand of old-growth western red cedar in the Pacific Northwest. Arborvitae generally does not grow very fast (Green Giant and a few others notwithstanding) so if you're hoping to grow a tall hedge or privacy screen as quickly as possible, you may have to compromise on cost.

A windbreak is a row of trees planted perpendicular to the prevailing winds on the windward side of a crop or structure. Generally, they grow best in USDA zones 3-7.

Along with sequoias, douglas fir, eucalyptus, and redwoods, the western red cedar is one of the tallest trees in the world. Fairly tolerant of most average soil types. Not particularly picky. The name arborvitae means tree of life. Botanists bestowed this name upon the western red cedar (Thuja plicata), in particular, because it is such a useful and important tree to the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

Height/Spread: 12 to 24 inches tall and wide. And there are other types of golden arborvitae: By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Varieties used in landscaping are typically under 50 feet tall.

15 Best Shrubs for Privacy Foliage will become less dense in full shade. Height/Spread: 10 to 18 feet tall and wide.

Arborvitae grow in full sun to Best Evergreen Trees for Residential Gardens Here are some design ideas for incorporating arborvitaes into your garden: North Pole Buy now from Proven Winners

Western red cedar wood is rot-resistant with clear grain, making it ideal for construction. As mentioned above, the western red cedar is a crucial tree for the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest. Planting the trees too close together will lead to less healthy trees in the future. It makes an excellent accent in gardens and grows well in pots. cultivars, check out the following varieties of arborvitae. 15 feet tall by 10 feet wide. Isnt it wild that we have reduced it down from 175 feet to just a few feet in height? The other species of Thuja arent used as often.

The foliage remains a glossy dark green in all seasons.

The Best Plants to Use for Beautiful Living Wall Landscaping, Fill in a Bare Landscape Fast With These Quick-Growing Shrubs, Leyland Cypress: Plant Care & Growing Guide, 8 Best Ornamental Grasses to Add Privacy to the Garden, Indian Hawthorn: Plant Care & Growing Guide, Flowering Quince: Plant Care & Growing Guide, How to Prune Arborvitae Seasonally for Height Control. When planted in a row, these tall trees make an exceptional windbreak. This arborvitae is rarely used horticulturally because there isnt a large seed stock. Use larger arborvitaes as statuesque specimen trees, or plant smaller cultivars in decorative pots and sculpt them into eye-catching topiaries.

Youve certainly seen arborvitae trees walking around your city or neighborhood, where they are planted as privacy hedges or landscaping accents. Unlike the Holmstrup arborvitae, this emerald green arborvitae comes from the western red cedar species rather than the eastern arborvitae. T. occidentalis Smaragd. Clusters of rosebud-shaped cones measuring about inch long appear in early summer, turning from green to nutmeg-brown. The pyramidal or other upright types It is also one of the five sacred trees of Kiso, a productive forest in central Japan.

There are numerous arborvitae plant varieties in this genus as well. They grow in a pyramidal shape. Likes well-draining soils. Two species are native to North America and the other three are native to East Asia. These trees are usually used for privacy screens, landscaping accents, and windbreaks. Native Americans use western red cedar for building, canoes, hunting equipment, basketry, clothing, coffins, instruments, spiritual ceremonies, and much more.

Other cultivars that can rightly be called giants are the fast-growing Zebrina, which grows 30 to 50 feet tall and is 8 to 12 feet wide, and Hetz Wintergreen, a fast-growing variety that tops out at 30 feet tall and 10 feet wide. If any of these arborvitae caught your eye, youre probably in luck! Photo by: Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us, 2022 PlantSnap Inc. , Telluride, CO 81435, US, 15 Different Arborvitae Types, Varieties, and Care, The name arborvitae means tree of life. Botanists bestowed this name upon the western red cedar (, ), in particular, because it is such a useful and important tree to the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.

The dwarf Danica arborvitae contrasts with the rocks beneath.

Dwarf varieties can be used in rock gardens. The pyramid shape of the green giant arborvitae crowds a pathway. But gardeners usually approach plant selection with a wish list of plant characteristics.

Arborvitae generally appreciate well-draining soils and arent too picky other than that. They are easy to install, are low maintenance, grow well when planted densely together, and are an inexpensive plant option.

Its scale-like foliage is borne on flattened, fern-like sprays.

Although some varieties can tolerate partial shade, growth will become sparse if they dont receive enough light. Most need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Repeat these deep soakings at least twice a week (if you don't receive rain) until the roots become established. The Japanese arborvitae is a commercially important timber tree in Japan. are often used as corner plantings.

The green giant arborvitae is a hybrid between the western red cedar and the Japanese thuja.

Both, however, are in the same plant family, Cupressaceae. are used as foundation These versatile conifers are suitable for almost any purpose. Follow these tips for best results: Here are some additional tips from The Morton Arboretum on the best methods for pruning arborvitaes and other evergreens. In shade, arborvitae create less dense, making them less effective as privacy screens. Like Green Giant, it has a fast growth rate, averaging about a foot per year.

German for emerald, Smaragd has glossy bright-green foliage that maintains its color in all seasons. These trees quickly fill the space between them when planted close together. golden in color. Notice how the different shapes, spacing, and foliage colors interact with one another. Potted arborvitaes should be watered regularly, even during the winter months. One option is to buy established Emerald Green arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis Smaragd) plants, which can reach 12 to 14 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. 15 feet tall by 10 feet wide, though often preferred more compact.

Suggested uses: Edging shrub, containers, rock gardens. Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The foliage emits an attractive, tansy-like fragrance when bruised or pruned. Overwatering may also cause needle discoloration and could lead to irreversible damage caused by root rot and fungal infection. Thuja occidentalis is a dense, pyramidal tree that can grow 30 to 40 feet tall.