Arborvitaes are generally slowly - growing evergreen coniferous tree with diffused , lush feathery foliation . Different type of arborvitae grow as upright columnar trees , lowly conical trees , or globe - shaped shrubs . Arborvitae trees and shrubs are ideal for natural concealment screens , wide hedges , living fences , or specimen trees .

Types of Arborvitae Trees

The five species of arborvitae trees ( Thuja ) are :

Two species – American arborvitae and Giant arborvitae are aboriginal to North America , where they are democratic garden landscaping plants . Their impenetrable unripe foliage and firm growth make arborvitaes versatile plants that farm under various conditions .

Three eccentric of arborvitae : Thuja occidentalis ( left ) , Thuja plicata ( center ) and Thuja orientalis ( right hand ) . Each case has various cultivars .

The two independent types of arborvitae that are common in North America are :

Sometimes tree diagram from the generaPlatycladus orientalis orThuja orientalisare call Oriental arborvitae . The Oriental arborvitae is a slow - growing Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that can attain a meridian of 49–66 ft . ( 15–20 m ) and has light green leafage . Thisevergreen coniferis ideal for formal or loose hedging and does n’t lose its colouring material throughout the year . Several minor cultivars have been develop such as ‘ Aura Nana ’ .

This article is a arrant guide to the most popular types of arborvitaes . description ofThujatrees and pictures will help you take the right arborvitaes for your garden landscape painting .

Types of Arborvitae (With Pictures) – Identification Guide

Most varieties of arborvitae are cultivar of the speciesThuja occidentalis(American arborvitae ) . Most American arborvitae grow in full sunlight and moist , well - draining dirt .

Depending on the arborvitae coinage , the dense evergreen plant foliage grows as strobilus shapes , unsloped columns , or rounded shrubs . little arborvitae areideal for foundation plantings , borders , hedgerow , andprivacy screens .

Some arborvitae trees(Thuja)are also namedcedar trees , however they are not on-key cedars as they are in the family of false cedar tree trees .

Here are descriptions and pictures of the most uncouth arborvitae shrub and trees .

American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

Thuja occidentalis leaf

American arborvitae is one of the safe garden landscape painting plant . In its natural habitat , American arborvitaes are medium - sized tree diagram , growing up to 50 ft . ( 15 m ) . Smaller cultivar of American arborvitae are popular as ornamental Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for hedgerow in residential gardens and common .

Other names for American arborvitae include northern white cedar , swampland cedar , eastern arborvitae , and eastern white cedar .

Thuja occidentalishas scaly leaf that grow on fan - like branches . The flat scale - corresponding leaves make dense foliage , peculiarly when acquire in full sunshine . The American arborvitae species has red - brownish barque with furrows and plates that peel . American arborvitae cultivar can have a pyramidal , columniform , rounded , or straight skinny shape .

entropy about growing American arborvitae :

Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis‘Smaragd’)

Pictures of Thuja ’ emerald green ’ ( ‘ Smaragd ’ ) – it ’s consider as one of the safe evergreen plant trees for privacy . It ’s also one of the most beautiful types ofcolumnar Tree

The ‘ Emerald Green ’ arborvitae is one of the most democratic landscaping trees in theThujaspecies . Also called ‘ Smaragd , ’ this upright columniform arborvitae has compact emergence and hit up to 14 ft . ( 4 m ) magniloquent . The evergreen conifer keep on its color throughout the year and does n’t turn bronze in winter .

‘ Smaragd ’ arborvitae are slow - mature landscape trees . Plant the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree together to produce adense privacy hedgein full Lord’s Day . ‘ Emerald Green ’ arborvitaes are idealistic innovation plants , shrub border , windbreaks , orliving fences .

Information about grow ‘ Emerald Green ’ arborvitae :

‘Little Giant’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘Little Giant’)

‘ lilliputian Giant ’ cultivar is a midget arborvitae that is great for landscaped gardens

The ‘ Little Giant ’ arborvitae is adwarf , globe - mould conifer . This small arborvitae has productive green phonograph needle - like leaves that stick drab unripe all twelvemonth long . As the arborvitae grows easy , it develop into a arrant circular ball . This easy - growThujadoesn’t require any pruning or trimming to keep its human body .

‘ piddling Giant ’ nanus arborvitaes grow to between 4 and 5 ft . ( 1.2 – 1.5 m ) . The slow - growing coniferous tree is perfect as a base industrial plant , low - growing formal hedge , or a specimen industrial plant . Its rounded growth contrasts nicely with other tall skinny arborvitae or pyramidal arborvitae .

Information about produce ‘ slight Giant ’ arborvitae :

Thuja occidentalis‘Hetz Midget’

‘ Hetz dwarf ’ cultivar is one of the smallest arborvitae shrubs and can suitcompact spaces

The ‘ Hetz nanus ’ arborvitae is a round dwarf arborvitae bush . The ‘ Hetz nanus ’ arborvitae ’s attractive feature is its sinister light-green foliage that turns into hues of bronze in the winter . The flat leaves are scurf - similar and grow in fan - shape clusters . maturate ‘ Hetz Midgets ’ in full sun or partial shade .

Being one of the unretentive arborvitae shrubs , the ‘ Hetz nanus ’ is best for foundation planting , mixed borders , miniature hedges , or rock gardens . This dwarfThujais also hone as a container plant on terraces , patio , or porch .

Information about growing ‘ Hetz Midget ’ arborvitae :

Thuja occidentalis‘Fire Chief’

‘ Fire gaffer ’ is an attractive dwarf arborvitae that changes its leaf color with the time of year

The ‘ Fire Chief ’ arborvitae is a pocket-sized coniferous bush with greenish - cherry-red leafage . The ‘ Fire Chief’Thujais one of the most typical arborvitaes with its dense feathery foliage that commute with the season . leave of absence are bright amber in springtime , then dark greenish in summertime before develop red tips in winter .

‘ Fire Chief ’ arborvitae bush are well mature as a foundation garment plant , low - growing hedging , or shrub border . As with most dwarf arborvitae , the ‘ Fire Chief ’ also grows well in container on your patio or balcony .

selective information about grow ‘ Fire Chief ’ arborvitaes :

Thuja occidentalis‘Aurea Nana’

‘ Aurea Nana ’ is a decorative orb - shaped dwarf arborvitae with lucky light-green leaf

Also called the Berkman ’s Gold , the ‘ Aurea Nana ’ arborvitae is a delicious globe - same , global small-scale coniferous tree . The sun - loving arborvitae has bright golden - dark-green leafage made up of soft acerate leaf - similar leaves . In fall and winter , the evergreen plant foliage take on an orangey - yellowed color . This dwarf globe arborvitae is adrought - tolerant plant .

The ‘ Aurea Nana ’ arborvitae grows up to 6 foot . ( 1.8 m ) . However , it takes many year to make this pinnacle . develop ‘ Aurea Nana ’ as a base planting , specimen shrub , or formal depressed - growing hedge .

data about growing ‘ Aurea Nana ’ arborvitaes :

American Arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Thuja occidentalis‘Yellow Ribbon’)

The ornamental ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ arborvitae has narrow-minded pyramidic frame and is smashing as a showing hedgerow

The ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ arborvitae is a easy - growing , semi - dwarf conifer . This columnar arborvitae has good ontogenesis and a minute pyramidical shape . Its leafage has a yellowish - green color in spring before turning intermediate K , then reddish - brown . The yellow arborvitae ’s color brightens up garden throughout the class .

The grandiloquent arborvitae , ‘ Yellow Ribbon , ’ is well growing as aprivacy screen or tall hedge . ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ arborvitae cultivars raise to between 8 and 10 ft . ( 2.4 – 3 mebibyte ) tall . The hedge plants have a spread of 3 foot . ( 1 m ) .

Information about originate ‘ Yellow Ribbon ’ arborvitae :

Weeping Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘Pendula’)

The weep nature of Thuja occidentalis ‘ Pendula ’ makes it one of the best specimen arborvitae trees in the garden

The Weeping Eastern Arborvitae ( Thuja ‘ Pendula ’ ) has drooping , weeping leave chip in theconifer treeaweeping look . The weep American arborvitae is one of the most unusual evergreen tree . The slow - growingThujawill produce erect if the central theme is staked . Otherwise , the shrubby coniferous tree has a spreading growth wont .

Due to its arching branches , the crying eastern arborvitae grows best as a specimen tree . This rare weeping arborvitae will look like a spectacular decorative tree in your front or backyard .

info about grow cry easterly arborvitae :

‘Danica’ Globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘Danica’)

‘ Danica ’ cultivar is a miniature world - shaped arborvitae shrub peachy for interracial borders

The ‘ Danica ’ arborvitae is one of the modest globe arborvitaes . This miniature American arborvitae cultivar only get through 2 ft . ( 0.6 m ) tall and the same width . The arborvitae ‘ Danica ’ has dark-green foliation that turns blueish - green in winter . Its dim exfoliation - similar leaves grow in a spherical or globe shape .

modest globe arborvitae such as the ‘ Danica ’ cultivar are best implant as delimitation shrubs , foundation planting , orevergreen edging works . The emerald green arborvitae foliation keeps its coloring all year and develops a bronze tinge in winter .

data about growing ‘ Danica ’ arborvitae :

‘Woodward’ Globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘Woodwardii’)

genus Thuja ‘ Woodwardii ’ has gray - green leaf that turns a pale green color in the winter

TheThuja‘Woodwardii ’ is a round arborvitae George Bush and one of the unspoiled hedgerow plants . Woodward arborvitae have a globular - spreading growth habit . In ten year , the arborvitae ‘ Woodwardii ’ get to between 4 and 5 ft . ( 1.2 – 1.5 m ) is 8 ft . ( 2.4 m ) wide . The miserable - maintenance arborvitae rest globose without pruning .

produce Woodward arborvitae shrubs as a wide evergreen plant hedging . Because the arborvitae grows easy , you’re able to also develop it as a foundation plant , boundary works , or specimen conifer .

Information about growing ‘ Woodwardii ’ arborvitaes :

Rheingold Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘Rheingold’)

Thuja occidentalis ‘ Rheingold ’ shrub with prosperous foliage in autumn

The ‘ Rheingold ’ cultivar is a multifariousness of yellow arborvitae with a dome shape and promising golden leaves . This easy - grow arborvitae reaches heights between 3 and 5 ft . ( 1 – 1.5 m ) . Some diverseness have a rounded shape , whereas other ‘ Rheingold ’ arborvitaes are cone - regulate .

‘ Rheingold ’ arborvitaes are an ideal selection for a foundation plant , border plant , or low privacy hedge . Grow in moist soil and full sun to keep the yellow leaf bright and dense .

Information about maturate ‘ Rheingold ’ arborvitaes :

‘North Pole’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis‘North Pole’)

The narrow-minded ornamental ‘ North Pole ’ arborvitae is also call ‘ Art Boe ’ thuja

‘ North Pole ’ arborvitaes areupright columnlike coniferswith dark evergreen foliation . ‘ North Pole ’ cultivar are slow - growing ornamental arborvitaes that grow to between 4 and 6 ft . ( 1.2 – 1.8 MB ) marvelous . The majestic arborvitae has narrow-minded ontogeny that is idealistic for upright accent in any garden landscape painting .

Also called the ‘ Art Boe ’ arborvitae , this cold - hardy shrub is the sodding option for growing marvelous hedge , privacy screens , or borders . The skinny arborvitae also makes an excellent specimen tree diagram in diminished gardens .

Arborvitae ‘Filips Magic Moment’ (Thuja occidentalis‘Filips Magic Moment’)

The fearless ‘ Filips Magic Moment ’ arborvitae has an upright pyramidical growing with golden coloured foliage

The ‘ Filips Magic Moment ’ is a white-livered arborvitae that keep its golden coloration in the heat and cold . This hardy arborvitae has an unsloped narrow-minded growth . Golden - yellow scaly soft foliage form its columnlike Great Pyramid shape . The ‘ Filips Magic Moment ’ arborvitae is an fantabulous choice to lighten up garden landscapes .

The soft - grow Filips Magic Moment arborvitae grows best in full Dominicus and moist grunge . Plant the arborvitaes in a row to create a bright yellow-bellied hedge , raw privacy screen , or living fencing . you’re able to also lend ‘ Filips Magic Moment ’ cultivars as a quoin planting or entranceway container plant .

Information about turn ‘ Filips Magic Moment ’ arborvitaes :

Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis orThuja orientalis)

word picture of mature oriental arborvitae trees

The Oriental arborvitae is an evergreen plant conifer aboriginal to Asia that can make elevation of 49–66 ft . ( 15–20 m ) . Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivar have a rounded growth with bright - discolor foliage that turns bronze in winter . Cultivars in the genusPlatycladus orientalisbelong to the cypress family .

Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivar are some of the best fundament plantings to add together color and elegance to your property . you’re able to also grow oriental arborvitae as a low hedge , border works , or specimen shrub .

Dwarf cultivars of oriental thuja : ‘ Rosedalis ’ ( go away ) and ‘ Semperaurea ’ in winter

Information about growing Oriental arborvitae :

Western Red Cedar ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja plicata‘Green Giant’)

Thuja plicata ‘ Green Giant ’ can grow to a very tall Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree but there are smaller cultivars to accommodate residential gardens

The westerly red-faced cedar or western arborvitae is a Brobdingnagian evergreen coniferous tree . These gargantuan arborvitae are seldom used for residential landscape . Western arborvitaes grow to between 210 and 230 foot . ( 64 – 70 m ) . These impressive arborvitae have greenish foliage in the manikin of flat phonograph needle - like foliage .

modest westerly violent arborvitae cultivars are ornamental trees that are excellent option for hedging in residential gardens . Some of the best westerly arborvitae cultivar for front or backyards are ‘ Atrovirens , ’ ‘ Stoneham Gold , ’ ‘ Aurea , ’ and ‘ Whipcord . ’

Thuja plicata ‘ Whipcord ’ bush has drooping whipcord - similar foliation and can each 4 - 5 feet ( 1.2 - 1.5 m ) marvelous

Western Arborvitae ‘Zebrina’ (Thuja Plicata‘Zebrina’)

The ‘ Zebrina ’ arborvitae is a variegated evergreen conifer with strange foliage . As its cultivar name suggests , the ‘ Zebrina ’ arborvitae has green leaf with creamy - jaundiced zebra - like stripe or markings . The fast - grow cypress tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree develop up to40 ft . ( 14 m)at maturity and has an one-year growing rate of 1 foot . ( 30 cm ) .

‘ Zebrina ’ arborvitae tree diagram have a conical just form . The medium - sized arborvitae are good growing as magniloquent loose hedge . With regular pruning , you’re able to also acquire medium - sized privacy screens for your backyard .

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