Establish groups of them in lawns or in the background of landscapes. Compare the four most common arborvitae varieties for hedges to see which is the right choice for your landscape. Thuja occidentalis has scaly leaves that grow on fan-like branches. Green Giant-Great option for privacy screens. Overall, arborvitaes make such excellent hedge plants because they are tall, lush, and low maintenance. Which Is Better: Cypress or 'Green Giant' Arborvitae? Here, we list our top spring-blooming flowers that will add a vibrant pop of color to your garden and keep deer at bay. Then the name Thuja "Green Giant" was selected. Growth Rate : 2-4 feet per year; Dark American Arborvitae-An excellent medium height option for a privacy screen. How to Grow and Care for Emerald Green Arborvitae, 25 Types of Evergreen Tree to Add to Your Yard, Arborvitae Growth Rate and Drought-Tolerance, How to Grow and Care For Monkey Puzzle Trees, 14 Best Evergreen Shrubs for Lovely Landscaping, How to Grow and Care for Skyrocket Juniper Tree, 11 Best Landscaping Shrubs to Grow in Your Yard, Norway Spruce: Plant Care and Growing Guide, How to Grow and Care for the Deodar Cedar. Sienna Mae runs The Quarantined Gardener blog and encourages the Lehigh Valley to develop victory gardens for sustainable, garden-based living. Our nursery trees and ornamental shrubs are grown with love and made to thrive in New England's climate. Native to America, the American arborvitae was the first North American tree to be introduced into Europe. A simple shearing in early spring is all it takes to keep this colorful and fragrant evergreen in bounds. They also resist both sunburn and windburn. If you find your recycling bin overrun by cardboard, try one of the easy ways to upcycle & reuse cardboard to enhance your garden. 15 Different Arborvitae Types, Varieties, and Care - PlantSnap Our trees are carefully grown and hand-selected for the highest quality before shipping. The clone identity was resolved by Susan Martin, USNA, Kim Trip, New York Botanic Garden, and Robert Marquard, Holden Arboretum by means of thorough nursery inspections, record searches, and "isozyme analysis." Emerald Green Arborvitae. The common name of arborvitae (tree of life) comes from early French settlers to North America who learned from Native Americans that the tree's foliage could be used to treat scurvy. Their small stature predisposes them for use as short hedges, foundations plants, border plants, or container-grown specimens. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Growing up to three feet a year, 'Green Giant' arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii) will quickly transform your space into a private oasis. Trees are low maintenance and disease resistant. Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalisHeight: 40 to 60 tallSpread: 10 to 15 wideGrowing Zones: USDA zones 3-7Growth Rate: Slow to MediumPreferred Growing Conditions: Full sun, well-drained but moist soils that are slightly acidic. Overall they are reasonably hardy and low maintenance, but they are not as drought-tolerant as some of the other arborvitae types. With enough room, they look stunning in any space. With their wide range of colors, ease of maintenance, & ability to attract pollinators, coral bells are sure to be a hit with any gardener. 2020, conifersociety.org/conifers/thuja-standishii-x-plicata-green-giant. Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' is a compact, conical selection of eastern arborvitae with exceptionally dark-green foliage that retains good green color in the winter in cold climates. The foliage stays a lush green all summer long, even in heat and humidity. Small globe arborvitaes such as the Danica cultivar are best planted as border shrubs, foundation plantings, or evergreen edging plants. Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae, Eastern white cedar or Northern white cedar, is a dense, conical to narrow-pyramidal (sometimes maturing to broad-pyramidal), often single-trunked, evergreen tree that is native to eastern and central Canada south to northern Illinois, Ohio and New York with scattered populations further south in the Appalachians to North Carolina. For the early years after that, enrich the soil with plenty of water and balanced fertilizer; this will promote continuous, vigorous growth. Plant Height - 20' - 30'. Two different plants. Darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. Ken's got some real nice plantings on the other side of your state, and even though he might be in a higher hardiness zone than you-not sure without looking-you've got all that lake-effect snow I should think, and that'll be good for them. The sun-loving arborvitae has bright golden-green foliage made up of soft needle-like leaves. Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as American arborvitae, Eastern arborvitae, Eastern white cedar or Northern white cedar, is a dense, conical to narrow-pyramidal (sometimes maturing to broad-pyramidal), often single-trunked, evergreen tree that is native to eastern and central Canada south to northern Illinois, Ohio and New York with scattered populations further . The leaves change from bright green in the summer to a multitude of rich yellow-brown-green hues in the winter. What Is a Nigra Arborvitae? | Home Guides | SF Gate The Dark Green American Arborvitae is trademarked for its feathery foliage. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a native arb that is ideal for privacy in smaller areas. The green giant arborvitae is a large, vigorous, fast-growing evergreenshooting up by as much as 3 feet per year until maturity. The Rheingold cultivar is a variety of yellow arborvitae with a dome shape and bright golden leaves. Dark American Arborvitae is conical featuring flattened sprays of dark green foliage. This columnar arborvitae has upright growth and a narrow pyramidal shape. Leaves are small, glossy, and scale-like, opposite and arranged in rows of four, overlapping, creating flat sprays akin to the shape of fans. As with most dwarf arborvitaes, the Fire Chief also grows well in containers on your patio or balcony. We specialize in privacy trees including Green Giant Arborvitae, Dark American Arborvitae, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Canadian Hemlock & Baby Blue Spruce trees. Also called Smaragd, this upright columnar arborvitae has compact growth and reaches up to 14 ft. (4 m) tall. Although described as and called Dark Green stock I have seen of 'Nigra' seemed to be differentiated primarily from other T. occidentalis cultivars by having a bluish tinge. View Map. Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who assigned the Latin name to this species, picked up on one of the plants more sensory traits. What more could you ask for? In ten years, the arborvitae 'Woodwardii' grows to between 4 and 5 ft. (1.2 - 1.5 m) is 8 ft. (2.4 m) wide. Poorly drained and wet sites should be avoided, and it is very salt-sensitive. Written by:Miranda Niemic, click here to read bio. Read our. Descriptions of Thuja trees and pictures will help you choose the best arborvitaes for your garden landscape. Growing up to three feet a year, Green Giant arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii) will quickly transform your space into a private oasis. Leaf miner may damage leaf tips. The Oriental arborvitae is an evergreen conifer native to Asia that can reach height of 4966 ft. (1520 m). This award-winning introduction from the U.S. National Arboretum is regarded as the most distinguished landscaping tree in America, and its our #1 best-selling privacy tree! It is an extremely thick, dense evergreen making it an excellent hedge. 2023 Great Garden Plants. It grows about as tall as Green Giant, although it has less of a spread at 10 to 15 feet. It's like a guy that's into classic carsand maybe not real excited by an '82 Cavalier! Some arborvitae trees (Thuja) are also named cedar trees, however they are not true cedars as they are in the category of false cedar trees. With regular pruning, you can also grow medium-sized privacy screens for your backyard. Information about growing Yellow Ribbon arborvitaes: The weeping nature of Thuja occidentalis Pendula makes it one of the best specimen arborvitae trees in the garden. Its natural pyramidal to conical form boasts dense, rich green foliage that darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. This is an exceptional landscape tree for use as a screen, hedge, or single specimen. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. How fast do Green Giant Arborvitaes grow? Jeffrey Douglas own a landscaping company and has been in the business for over 20 years. Where is this species invasive in the US. 4 Different Varieties of Arborvitae | DoItYourself.com The flower buds, seeds and foliage are a food source, although this cultivar has greater resistance to deer browsing than most arborvitae. Should be planted 56' apart for a screen or hedge. The two main types of arborvitae that are common in North America are: Sometimes trees from the genera Platycladus orientalis or Thuja orientalis are called Oriental arborvitae. Avoid wet soil that does not drain well and exposure to spray or salt. Regarded as one of the most distinguished landscape trees in America, Green Giant arborvitae is planted in hoards across the country, growing in the iconic narrow, pyramidal shape. Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivars have a rounded growth with brightly-colored foliage that turns bronze in winter. Information about growing Hetz Midget arborvitaes: Fire Chief is an attractive dwarf arborvitae that changes its foliage color with the seasons. Sometimes this type is pruned to form spiral topiaries. This dwarf Thuja is also perfect as a container plant on terraces, patios, or porches. Let us know! Why is Your Arborvitae Browning and What Can Be Done? 'Nigra' is a cultivar of Thuja occidentalis, or northern white cedar. )Specific epithet means from the Western (Occidental) world.The common name of arborvitae (tree of life) comes from early French settlers to North America who learned from Native Americans that the trees foliage could be used to treat scurvy. Squeezing the evergreen leaves releases an aroma that is nothing less than nature's perfume. Due to its arching branches, the weeping eastern arborvitae grows best as a specimen tree. In no time, the young, one-gallon plant youll receive from us will grow into a tall fence for privacy. Height: 40 to 60' tall. Able to grow in a range soils such as poor soil and clay, it does best in moist, fertile, well-drained loams. When you order Emerald Green from us, youll receive a 34 tall plant, floor-to-tip, in one-gallon containers. Small arborvitaes are ideal for foundation plantings, borders, hedges, and privacy screens. Green Giant Arborvitae: Care and Growing Guide - The Spruce Thuja occidentalis. Establish groups of them in lawns or in the background of landscapes. Green Giant can easily grow 3 feet a year in good conditions, ultimately . Yup. Their dense green foliage and fast growth make arborvitaes versatile plants that grow under various conditions. The emerald green arborvitae foliage keeps its color all year and develops a bronze tinge in winter. The Hetz Midget arborvitaes attractive feature is its dark green foliage that turns into hues of bronze in the winter. Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 3 to 8, Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 3 to 7, Botanical Name: Thuja standishii x T. plicata, Where Developed:U.S. National Arboretum by way of Denmark, Native to: Hybrid of Japanese and Western North American Species, Color: Green in summer and bronze in winter, Hardiness/Heat Tolerance: USDA Zone 5 to 8, Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 4 5, Color: Green in summer, some yellow in winter in cold areas, Number of Plants Needed for a Hedge: 8 9, Emerald Green (aka 'Emerald' or 'Smaragd'), U.S. National Arboretum by way of Denmark, Hybrid of Japanese and Western North American Species, Green in Summer, Some Yellow in Winter in Cold Areas. The narrow pyramid shape of this tree gives an extra dimension to your lawn or roadside. Propagate the tree from stem cuttings from July through March. Is a public domain tree, meaning anyone can propagate it from cuttings. Zone Hardiness - 3-7. As you will see below, they can also be referred to as different types of Thujas, which is their scientific name. The Nigra American arborvitae grows well in acidic, alkaline, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils. We also recommend that you check out our general arborvitae guide to learn how to make sure you are taking care of your trees appropriately. The Firechief arborvitae stands out because of its more compact shape and distinctive color shifts throughout the year. The hedge plants have a spread of 3 ft. (1 m). The yellow arborvitaes color brightens up gardens throughout the year. Nigra' arborvitae is an upright, cone shaped, narrow evergreen with flattened sprays of dense, deep green foliage and good winter color. American Arborvitae trees are very hardy and can handle intense winters and cold temperatures. The Green Giant is one of the largest arborvitae types, adding up to 3-feet of height a year until trees are fully mature. Its natural form is attractive and dense, with rich green foliage that darkens slightly in the winter. Grow in moist soil and full sun to keep the yellow foliage bright and dense. The weeping American arborvitae is one of the most unusual evergreen trees. This is an evergreen tree, keeping its foliage year-round. Questions, comments, or concerns? Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis SmaragdHeight: 8 to 12 tallSpread: Up to 3 wideGrowing Zones: USDA zones 3-8Growth Rate: Slow to ModeratePreferred Growing Conditions: Full sun to light shade, loamy well-drained soil, consistent soil moisture, neutral to alkaline pHDeer Resistant: No. Grow Hetz Midgets in full sun or partial shade. All such plants are commonly called arborviataes, an old Latin epithet meaning tree of life. This article is a complete guide to the most popular types of arborvitaes. Foliage Color . And while what follows is opinion, it is the opinion of a lifetime lover of all things Thuja: I really hate 'nigra'. Should be protected from drying winds and dry soil. If youre looking for a colorful and fast-growing privacy hedge for your landscape, arborvitae is hard to beat. The Yellow Ribbon arborvitae is a slow-growing, semi-dwarf conifer. Moderately drought tolerant but sensitive to salt.Deer Resistant: Yes. Acidic to alkaline soils that are well-draining but kept moist.Deer Resistant: Yes. Intolerant of dry conditions. Full sun and partial shade are best for this tree, meaning it prefers a minimum of four hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. Tolerates soil types ranging from sand to clay.Deer Resistant: No. Avoid dry soil and protect from drying winds. Well spell out the differences between our 4 trees, then you decide which is best for your garden! A few green giant species will even extend to reach 70 feet tall and 25 feet wide. Yields 1/2" long oblong cones that emerge green in the summer and turn brown in the winter. Rheingold arborvitaes are an ideal choice for a foundation plant, border plant, or low privacy hedge. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking Manage Preferences. GG are the best as they are dense and grow fast and easy to take care of and can tolerate shade. Plant Facts & Specifications--Mature Height : 25 - 30 ft--Mature Width : 6 - 8 ft. Even in clay and sandy soils, these arborvitaes are determined to succeed. Fortunately, this variety is more resistant to deer than most arborvitae and it has no major insect or disease issues. He loves all things related to lawns or gardens and believes that proper maintenance is the key to preventing problems in the first place. Therefore, Thuja "Green Giants" will thrive in dry, southern areas where some other evergreens like the "Emerald Greens" may not. I'm not sure GG would be any better for your purposes. Arborvitaes are generally slow-growing evergreen conifers with soft, lush feathery foliage. Releases a pleasing aroma when leaves are squeezed. The main advantages for Full Speed A Hedge is that it is hardy down to zone 3, maintains a narrow habit, and stays green all winter. Tall and elegant, the American arborvitae may be the right solution to your landscaping challenges. In fall and winter, the evergreen foliage takes on an orangey-yellow color. It's dark green foliage is consistent and, when planted as a hedge, makes an appealing backdrop to more colorful shrubs and perennials. "Green Giant" is hardy in U.S. Department of . This tree grows at a slow rate, with height increases of less than 12" per year.