Arborvitae plants represent some of the most versatile and beloved evergreens in the landscaping world, offering year round structure and a touch of timeless elegance to almost any property. These hardy conifers are prized for their rich green foliage, natural sculptural forms, and remarkable adaptability to different garden roles. Understanding the distinct types of arborvitae plants available is essential for choosing the perfect specimen to enhance your outdoor space.
The appeal of arborvitae lies in their incredible diversity, which ranges from towering privacy screens that block out the world to compact tabletop specimens that bring greenery to intimate courtyards. Whether you are seeking a dense living wall or a subtle accent, there is an arborvitae cultivar tailored to your specific vision and spatial constraints. This guide will walk you through the primary categories and specific varieties that define this remarkable genus.
Popular Species and Their Characteristics
The foundation of many garden designs begins with the core species within the Thuja genus, each bringing a unique set of attributes to the landscape. These species form the genetic canvas upon which countless cultivars have been developed, offering gardeners a palette of sizes, colors, and textures to work with.
When selecting a species, it is important to consider climate tolerance, growth rate, and ultimate size to ensure the plant thrives in its intended location. Two species stand out due to their widespread popularity and reliable performance in a variety of settings.
Eastern White Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as Eastern White Arborvitae, is a cornerstone of temperate landscaping due to its vigorous growth and classic pyramidal shape. This native North American evergreen is exceptionally hardy, tolerating cold winters and a wide range of soil conditions with grace. Its scale-like foliage emerges in rich green clusters, creating a dense canopy that provides excellent privacy and wind protection.
Because of its robust nature and reliable structure, this species is frequently utilized as a foundational evergreen in formal gardens or as a dominant element in a mixed border. It serves as an excellent backdrop for flowering shrubs or can be pruned to maintain a clean, architectural line along property lines.
Western Red Cedar
Though often associated with large timber trees, the species Thuja plicata, or Western Red Cedar, is also cultivated in ornamental settings for its majestic presence and aromatic foliage. The soft, scale-like leaves emit a pleasant, spicy scent when crushed, adding a sensory dimension to the garden experience. This species generally grows larger than its Eastern cousin, making it a preferred choice for spacious landscapes where a grand, natural screen is desired.
Western Red Cedar offers a rich, reddish-brown bark and a more open, graceful habit compared to the denser Eastern White varieties. It is an outstanding choice for creating a natural fence or establishing a dramatic woodland edge, providing both visual interest and ecological habitat.
Dwarf and Compact Cultivars
For gardeners working with limited space, dwarf and compact arborvitae cultivars offer the iconic evergreen form without the overwhelming scale. These slow-growing varieties are perfect for small gardens, urban courtyards, or as long term features in mixed perennial beds where space is at a premium.
Selecting a dwarf type allows you to enjoy the texture and structure of arborvitae without constant pruning to control size. Many of these cultivars maintain their shape naturally, requiring only minimal maintenance to look their best year round.
Tiny Tot and Golden Globe
The Tiny Tot arborvitae is a celebrated dwarf variety known for its intense dark green color and remarkably compact, globe shaped form. It grows slowly to about three feet tall and wide, making it an ideal specimen for rock gardens or as a charming accent near a patio. Its small stature does not diminish its impact, as it provides a rich, verdant presence that lasts through every season.
Similarly, the Golden Globe offers a striking contrast with its vibrant yellow green foliage that seems to glow, especially in spring. This cultivar maintains the same tight, spherical habit as Tiny Tot but introduces a warm color element that brightens shaded corners and provides year round interest without becoming invasive.
Emerald Green and Similar Columnar Types
If you are looking for vertical impact without broad spread, columnar dwarf varieties like Emerald Green are an excellent solution. These cultivars grow tall and slender, often reaching heights of four to six feet while remaining only one to two feet wide. They function perfectly as narrow privacy barriers or as dramatic vertical accents flanking a doorway.
Other popular columnar types include varieties like 'Smaragd' and 'Fireball', which offer slight variations in color intensity and hardiness. Their upright growth habit makes them highly efficient for screening, allowing you to create a living wall without sacrificing valuable square footage in the garden.
Color and Foliage Variations
Beyond size and shape, the visual diversity of arborvitae is largely defined by their foliage color, which ranges from deep forest greens to vibrant golds and blues. These variations allow for incredible design flexibility, enabling you to create monochromatic schemes or vibrant contrasts throughout the seasons.
Many modern cultivars have been specifically selected for their unique pigmentation, providing gardeners with options that transcend the standard green. These color mutations are often stable, ensuring the plant maintains its distinctive look year after year.
Golden and Yellow Varieties
Golden arborvitae cultivars bring a touch of sunshine to the garden, with hues ranging from buttery yellow to bright chartreuse. These varieties, such as 'Golden Mop' and 'Zebrina', are highly effective in breaking up the monotony of dark green landscapes. They create focal points that draw the eye and add warmth to the overall design.
The vivid color is most intense during the spring flush of growth and often persists through the summer, though it may deepen slightly in cooler weather. These types are exceptionally well suited for hedging, where the color variation can create a visually stunning and uniform border.
Blue and Glaucous Shades
For a cooler, more contemporary aesthetic, blue arborvitae varieties are an outstanding choice. Cultivars like 'Techny' and 'Wareana' feature foliage with a silvery blue or glaucous cast that provides a striking contrast to traditional greens. This cool tone pairs beautifully with pink, white, or cream colored flowering plants.
These blue types often exhibit excellent density and are very wind resistant, making them ideal for coastal gardens or locations exposed to harsh weather. Their unique coloration also holds up well under snow, offering visual interest even during the winter months when the landscape is predominantly neutral.
Growth Habits and Maintenance Needs
Understanding the natural growth habit of different arborvitae types is crucial for long term success in the garden. While some varieties are famously low maintenance, others may require specific care to maintain their ideal form and health.
Matching the growth rate and density of the plant to your maintenance capabilities will ensure you are satisfied with the results over the years. Fortunately, most arborvitae are relatively easygoing and adaptable once established.
Dense and Fast Growing Options
Many classic arborvitae types, particularly those in the species Thuja occidentalis, are renowned for their fast growth and extremely dense branching structure. This density makes them superb for creating solid, impenetrable screens that provide privacy and block noise effectively. Varieties like 'Green Giant' are famous for reaching significant heights quickly while maintaining a uniform, conical shape.
Because they grow so vigorously, these types respond well to pruning, which allows you to shape them precisely or maintain them as a tight hedge. Regular trimming encourages bushier growth at the base, preventing the plant from becoming woody and bare underneath.
Open and Graceful Habits
In contrast to the dense screen types, some arborvitae exhibit a more open, weeping, or spreading habit. These varieties, such as certain forms of Thuja occidentalis 'Pendula', add a dramatic, architectural element to the landscape. Their sculptural form is perfect for specimen planting, where they can be showcased as a unique focal point.
When incorporating these graceful types, it is important to give them ample space to develop their natural form. They are less suitable for tight hedging but excel in adding vertical interest and a sense of movement to a otherwise static evergreen border.
Exploring the world of arborvitae reveals how a single genus can offer such a wide spectrum of possibilities for your garden, from the bold statement of a giant screen to the subtle charm of a tiny golden globe. Selecting the right type based on your spatial needs and aesthetic preferences will ensure your evergreens provide beauty and function for many years to come.