Popular TreesSelect the right ornamental or fruit-bearing tree for your garden
North Pole ® Arborvitae can raise 10 to 15 feet tall . Photo by : Proven Winners .
If you ’re expect for tight - develop , well-off - tutelage evergreen trees to use as a privacy sieve or hedge , arborvitae are hard to drum . Plant several of them in a row , and in just a year or two the lush , dense leafage will satiate in to make the ideal living fence . But do n’t overlook the many other ways you could usearborvitaesin both formal and informal garden designs . These versatile coniferous tree are desirable for almost any intention .
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North Pole ® arborvitaefrom Proven Winners .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Types|Planting|Care|Pruning|Design Ideas|Arborvitae potpourri
ARBORVITAE BASICS
Zones:
variety ranging from zone 2 to 8
Mature height/spread:
The mature size of an arborvitae depend on the species and cultivar . Some low - growing bush are under 3 human foot tall . Large trees can exceed heights of 70 feet and widths of 25 groundwork .
Shapes:
Mounded , conic , pyramidal , rounded , or cernuous , depending on the cultivar .
Foliage:
Most arborvitae have flattened , lacy aromatic needles , ranging from emerald green to amber . clump of rosebud - forge cones measuring about ½ inch long come along in early summer , grow from green to nutmeg - brown .
Growth rate:
maturation rate varies depending on the specie and cultivar . Some are very fast growers adding 3 to 4 foot per twelvemonth , while others , such as dwarf and illumination , grow much slow .
TYPES OF ARBORVITAE
Arborvitae(Thuja)is a genus of five species , but these two North American aboriginal are the most common :
HOW TO PLANT ARBORVITAE
larn Pole ® Arborvitae
When to plant:
you’re able to plant an arborvitae at any time of year , but nightfall is typically the best time of year because the ice chest temperatures prevent heat stress and the moisture from fall rains helps to build a strong , healthy solution system . ( SeeWhat to implant in Your Fall Garden )
Where to plant:
Plant spacing:
When planting a hedging or CRT screen , leave at least 3 to 4 invertebrate foot between plant . careen arborvitaes in a zig - zag traffic pattern rather of cramming them into a besotted words will look more raw and give them more space .
How to plant:
Planting in containers:
Smaller cultivars of arborvitae can be used as attractive container plant life or topiary that will provide time of year - foresightful interest . Dwarf forms , in peculiar , are tolerant of some root word limitation and can thrive alfresco in pots for years .
ARBORVITAE CARE
Mulching around the base of your arborvitaes will avail hold wet in the soil . pic by : Ozgur Coskun / Shutterstock .
Fertilization:
When plant in good dirt and given enough water and sun , an arborvitae rarely needs fertiliser . However , if new growth becomes sparse or your soil is less than ideal , you may call for to give your plant life a nutritional boost . ( See theserecommendations for fertilize evergreensfrom the University of Minnesota Extension . )
For arborvitaes in container , fertilize on a regular basis to replace nutrients that strip out of the soil . utilise a slow - release granular fertilizer to avoid root burn , and water well before and after each diligence .
Watering:
Give newly implant shrub about an inch of water a week during the growing season . Keep the soil evenly moist but not saturate . Decrease the oftenness of lacrimation as the theme become established . employ a hosepipe to deliver water directly to the theme geographical zone .
Potted arborvitaes should be water on a regular basis , even during the winter month . Because evergreens do n’t go all dormant in winter , they will still need moisture .
Arborvitaes can digest stress from both underwatering and overwatering . If your plant is n’t receive enough piddle , the foliation will start to yellow or brown and the needles may fell . ( In fall , some browning and acerate leaf dip is normal . ) Overwatering may also cause needle discoloration and could lead to irreversible damage due to root putrefaction and fungal infection .
Winter care:
weighty snow and ice buildup can bend and break the branches of taller arborvitaes . Use a broom to lightly sweep off heavy , wet blow before it has a chance to accumulate .
Some character of arborvitae , especially those that put out two or more leaders , may demand to be staked to keep them upright . violent storm - damage arborvitaes can often be rejuvenate by pulling the drooping branches upright with ties and pruning off conk out limbs . See thesewinter care tipsfrom the University of Illinois Extension .
Diseases and pests:
One cause why arborvitae are so pop is because they are seldom troubled by dirt ball and disease problem . However , they may succumb to needle and twig blight make by fungal plan of attack , particularly if air circulation is inhibited by crowding plant life too closely together . To master blight , prune off all pretend branches and care for with a fungicide .
Also watch out for bagworms , which like to feed on the foliage of arborvitae and other evergreens . Spider mitesand stem pestilence can also be problems .
Are arborvitae deer resistant?
The easy needle of American arborvitae are a delicacy for scrounge deer — and unfortunately , wo n’t arise back . If deer are a problem in your garden , try giant arborvitae likeSpring Grove ® or ajuniper . ( See moredeer - repellent plant . )
ARBORVITAE PRUNING
Arborvitaes are often pruned into coiling topiary . Photo by : yarinkamoozova / Shutterstock .
Here are someadditional tipsfrom The Morton Arboretum on the secure methods for pruning arborvitaes and other evergreens .
USING ARBORVITAE IN THE GARDEN
Here are some purpose estimation for incorporating arborvitaes into your garden :
ARBORVITAE VARIETIES
photograph by : Proven Winners .
North Pole ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersThuja occidentalis
The minute pattern of this evergreen makes it a real blank space recoverer — plus it does n’t require pruning . Featuring dark green foliation in wintertime , this selection is also resistant to winter suntan .
Zones:3 - 7
Height / Spread:10 - 15 feet tall , 3 - 5 feet wide of the mark
Suggested uses : hedgerow , screen or spectacular specimen .
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Sting ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersThuja occidentalis
Make a bold program line in your garden with ' Sting ' arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis ) . This tall , columniform evergreen plant stands out with its slender , sword - like silhouette is perfect for narrow spaces .
Zones:3 - 8
Height / Spread:15 - 20 human foot tall , 1 - 1.5 feet all-encompassing
Suggested uses : Architectural accent , motley borders .
Anna ’s Magic Ball ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersT. occidentalis
This tiny evergreen does n’t need any pruning to keep its tight , rounded shape . impart a splash of yellow to small gardens , container , or recurrent seam .
Height / Spread:15 inches tall & broad
Suggested uses : Edging shrub , containers , rock gardens .
See more:20 Best gnome coniferous tree to Grow
downlike ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersT. plicata
A unequaled evergreen plant with pollyannaish yellow , soft leaf . It ’s natural pyramid shape does n’t require pruning and adds social organisation to the garden . Considered more deer resistive thanThuja occidenalisspecimens .
Zones:5 - 8
Height / Spread:5 - 10 feet magniloquent , 3 - 5 pes wide
Suggested apply : Screening , quite a little planting , focal item , great container .
Tater Tot ® —Buy now from Proven WinnersT. occidentalis
The neat , rounded drug abuse and evergreen foliage add year - rung social system and formality to landscape and containers .
Height / Spread:12 to 24 in tall and all-encompassing
Suggested uses : Containers , borders , add social system .
Cheer free fall ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersThujahybrid
This cultivar retain its attractive teardrop shape course with dark-green foliage year - round , bringing social system and interest to wintertime gardens .
Height / Spread:10 to 18 feet tall and wide
Suggested uses : Hedges , showing , specimen plant , or large container .
exposure by : Tim Ludwig / Millette Photomedia .
' Emerald Green’T. occidentalis‘Smaragd ’
German for “ emerald , ” ‘ Smaragd ’ has glossy bright - unripened leaf that assert its color in all season . achieve an ultimate height of 10 to 15 foot and spread of 3 to 4 foot , it stays narrow-minded and compact with minimal pruning . sturdy and frigid patient of ( down to zone 2 ) .
Zones:2 - 7
Height / Spread:12 - 14 feet tall , 3 - 4 foot all-inclusive
Suggested use : privateness screen , formal hedging , or topiary .
exposure by : Garden World Images Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .
‘ Golden Globe’T. occidenalis
This bright little orb of gold is a bully pick for offer winter interest and mixing with other shrubs to add contrast . It maintains a natural rounded shape , growing up to 3 - 4 feet tall and wide at maturity .
Zones:2 - 8
Height / Spread:2 - 3 feet tall & wide
Suggested uses : Short hedging , foundation works , or edging shrub along a paseo .
Photo by : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia .
‘ Hetz Midget’T. occidentalis
regulate like a pin cushion , this charming nanus variety has small sprays of lacy blue - gullible foliage that turn bronze over winter . passing slow - growing and brave , it remains a midget - sized 3 to 4 foot .
Height / Spread:3 - 4 feet tall & blanket
Suggested apply : Rock garden , container works , or foundation shrub .
‘ Degroot ’s Spire’T. occidentalis
A slow - growing cultivar with a very slender , erect habit , accomplish a height of about 20 feet but width of only 4 to 5 infantry . The stick-in-the-mud - green foliage bronzes more or less in winter . Although obtusely branch , the narrow shape may make it susceptible to breakage from ice and snow accumulation . hazard after planting will help to prevent damage .
tallness / Spread:20 foot grandiloquent , 4 - 5 foot wide
Suggested practice : Formal hedging , topiary , or accent plant life by an entrance .
‘ Green Giant’Thuja ' Green Giant '
This pyramid - shaped arborvitae is one of the fastest growing , adding 3 human foot or more each class before reaching a mature height of 50 to 60 groundwork . Sturdy and adaptable , it spring up in sandlike loam or clay dirt and fend the weight of heavy ice and snow . The foliage remains a glossy dingy green in all time of year .
Height / Spread:30 - 40 ft marvelous , 15 - 20 feet extensive
Suggested uses : grandiloquent hedging , specimen tree diagram , or natural shelterbelt
Photo by : Imladris / Shutterstock .
‘ Zebrina’T. plicata
This stunning arborvitae is capably key out for its two - toned leafage with golden yellow accents . It has a narrow pyramidal shape , reaching a height of 30 feet or more and a width of 8 to 12 foot at the Qaeda . Like ‘ Green Giant ’ , it has a fast development pace , average about a foot per year .
Zones:5 - 7
Height / Spread :
Suggested uses : upright landscape accent , tall hedging , or privacy blind .
