The five species of arborvitae trees (Thuja) are: Two species American arborvitae and Giant arborvitae are native to North America, where they are popular garden landscaping plants. Arborvitae Types: 7 of the Most Popular Varieties - Bustling Nest Which Is Better: Cypress or 'Green Giant' Arborvitae? There are things you can do that may damage the arborvitae, however, so it is important that you are careful as you plant, grow and maintain your plants and trees. If youre looking for a colorful and fast-growing privacy hedge for your landscape, arborvitae is hard to beat. The Thuja 'Woodwardii' is a round arborvitae bush and one of the best hedge plants. They are better suited for smaller landscapes, will fit easier into tighter spaces such as around a driveway, and will even grow in containers. A simple shearing in early spring is all it takes to keep this colorful and fragrant evergreen in bounds. Top 4 Arborvitae Trees - Great Garden Plants Blog Compare the four most common arborvitae varieties for hedges to see which is the right choice for your landscape. I'm not sure GG would be any better for your purposes. Information about growing American arborvitaes: Pictures of Thuja emerald green (Smaragd) its considered as one of the best evergreen trees for privacy. American arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis ) is another deer-resistant option in USDA zones 2a to 7a. It adapts to a wide range of soils, but prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well drained sites. You might even be able to use straight Thuja plicata where you are. Grow Aurea Nana as a foundation planting, specimen shrub, or formal low-growing hedge. These impressive arborvitaes have green foliage in the form of flat needle-like foliage. Poorly drained and wet sites should be avoided, and it is very salt-sensitive. Emerald green arborvitae is a slow-growing tree that only achieves a maximum growth of 12 inches per year. Able to grow in a range soils such as poor soil and clay, it does best in moist, fertile, well-drained loams. Requires little or no pruning but can be sheared easily if necessary. Darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. Learn about these different varieties and their growing characteristics. The fast-growing cypress tree grows up to 40 ft. (14 m) at maturity and has an annual growth rate of 1 ft. (30 cm). Arborvitae Guy - Product Information They thrive in almost all climatic regions across the United States and the different varieties grow to varying sizes while displaying interesting traits. Dark American Arborvitae takes pruning well, does best in sun, but should be protected from drying winds. He founded and runs Urban Loggers, LLC, a company offering residential tree services in the Midwest and Connecticut. The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Should be planted 56' apart for a screen or hedge. This variety holds its vibrant color and form throughout the changing seasons. Maintains its dark green throughout the winter. Grow in moist soil and full sun to keep the yellow foliage bright and dense. Information about growing weeping eastern arborvitaes: Danica cultivar is a miniature globe-shaped arborvitae shrub great for mixed borders. Information about growing Rheingold arborvitaes: The narrow ornamental North Pole arborvitae is also called Art Boe thuja. Western arborvitaes grow to between 210 and 230 ft. (64 70 m). Green Giant Vs. Emerald Green Arborvitae: Key Features And Differences They arent as tall as Green Giant or as compact as Golden Globe. Green Giant has a symmetrical, conical shape. Just straight species T. occidentalis is already a dense and rather slow-growing plant. Their small stature predisposes them for use as short hedges, foundations plants, border plants, or container-grown specimens. The Nigra American arborvitae grows to a height of 2030' and a spread of 410' at maturity. The green giant arborvitae tolerates a wide range of soil textures. Grows in a . Shear into a desired shape and size, and maintain it throughout the warmer months. This is an excellent plant for background or screening in the landscape. "Green Giant" Arborvitae prefers full sun. The Oriental arborvitae is a slow-growing tree that can reach a height of 4966 ft. (1520 m) and has light green foliage. Arborvitaes are generally slow-growing evergreen conifers with soft, lush feathery foliage. What are the differences between nigra and green giant arborvitae? 'Green Giant' is an interspecific hybrid of Thuja plicata, or western red cedar, and Thuja standishii, aka Japanese arborviatae. 24 Types of Arborvitae: Dwarf, Giant & Ornamental Varieties Small Western red arborvitae cultivars are ornamental trees that are excellent choices for hedges in residential gardens. There are places for such, but like I said, I'm into something else. The tree can also withstand winter snow and ice loads on its branches. Can be planted 3' apart for a low-maintenance hedge. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. It grows about as tall as Green Giant, although it has less of a spread at 10 to 15 feet. This is an exceptional landscape tree for use as a screen, hedge, or single specimen. In addition to defining property lines, shielding noise and rough wind, the "Green Giant" Arborvitae . Their dense green foliage and fast growth make arborvitaes versatile plants that grow under various conditions. Which Arborvitae would do better in Northern New Jersey area with very cold winters and very hot humid summers, Thuja occidentalis or Thuja Green Giant? Covered in dense, dark, evergreen foliage from the ground up, the "Green Giant" arborvitae needs little to no pruning or shearing. Native to America, the American arborvitae was the first North American tree to be introduced into Europe. Most American arborvitaes grow in full sun and moist, well-draining soil. Small globe arborvitaes such as the Danica cultivar are best planted as border shrubs, foundation plantings, or evergreen edging plants. Yields 1/2" long oblong cones that emerge green in the summer and turn brown in the winter. Should be protected from drying winds and dry soil. The Green Giant is one of the largest arborvitae types, adding up to 3-feet of height a year until trees are fully mature. It retains good green color throughout the year including winter. We specialize in doing the work on larger trees and evergreens. 'Dark Green' is a pyramidal form that matures over time to 20-30' tall and to 10-15' wide. Nigra American Arborvitae Tree on the Tree Guide at arborday.org It combines the rapid growth rate of Green Giant and the space-saving shape of Emerald Green to create the perfect hedge, all in one! Smaller cultivars of American arborvitae are popular as ornamental trees for hedges in residential gardens and parks. Its intermediate in size, reaching 15-25 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. In its natural habitat, American arborvitaes are medium-sized trees, growing up to 50 ft. (15 m). The green giant arborvitae grows to a height of 5060' and a spread of 1220' at maturity. A million members, donors, and partners support our programs to make our world greener and healthier. Our trees are carefully grown and hand-selected for the highest quality before shipping. Green Giant Arborvitae VS Full Speed A Hedge American Pillar When planted in a row, these tall trees make an exceptional windbreak. It is a hardy, relatively low maintenance tree and takes pruning well. Dark . Its rounded growth contrasts nicely with other tall skinny arborvitaes or pyramidal arborvitaes. Dark Green Thuja Arborvitae | Greenwood Nursery Adaptable to a wide variety of soils, including sand and heavy clay, and pH values ranging from acidic to alkaline. Information about growing Hetz Midget arborvitaes: Fire Chief is an attractive dwarf arborvitae that changes its foliage color with the seasons. Watch for canker. Thuja Green Giant.The U.S. National Arboretum, Nov. 1999. Growing to 12-15 tall and 5-7 wide, this evergreen makes a dense hedge and is used as an accent plant in foundation plantings. Like the Firechief, the Dwarf Golden arborvitae grows in a compact, rounded habit. Green Giant-Great option for privacy screens. Written by:Miranda Niemic, click here to read bio. When cared for well, Thuja Green Giants live forup to 40 years. Arborvitae Green Giant vs. Thuja Green Giant | Hunker 2020, conifersociety.org/conifers/thuja-standishii-x-plicata-green-giant. Zebrina arborvitae trees have a conical upright shape. Green Giant Arborvitae Tree on the Tree Guide at Arborday.Org.Arbor Day, 2021, www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=779. The low-maintenance arborvitae stays globular without pruning. Fire Chief arborvitae shrubs are best growing as a foundation plant, low-growing hedge, or shrub border. It is an extremely thick, dense evergreen making it an excellent hedge. Here, we list our top spring-blooming flowers that will add a vibrant pop of color to your garden and keep deer at bay. With a compact habit, Emerald Green only reaches 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. There are many varieties, some growing over 40-feet tall. The Dark Green American Arborvitae is trademarked for its feathery foliage. Releases a pleasing aroma when leaves are squeezed. Green Giant Arborvitae Tree on the Tree Guide at Arborday.Org.Arbor Day, www.arborday.org/trees/treeGuide/TreeDetail.cfm?ItemID=779. The height gets to a maximum of 12 feet with emerald green, while the width may not go beyond three to four feet. No real way to explain, it just is. Therefore, Thuja "Green Giants" will thrive in dry, southern areas where some other evergreens like the "Emerald Greens" may not. If you find your recycling bin overrun by cardboard, try one of the easy ways to upcycle & reuse cardboard to enhance your garden. American Arborvitae trees can grow in zones 2 to 7, though the specific zones will depend on the variety. And at the end of the day, those two you ask about are simply not the only options. We specialize in privacy trees including Green Giant Arborvitae, Dark American Arborvitae, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Canadian Hemlock & Baby Blue Spruce trees. Arborvitae Hedge Comparison - Full Speed A Hedge 'Nigra' is a cultivar of Thuja occidentalis, or northern white cedar. Woodward arborvitaes have a globular-spreading growth habit. Look Carefully at the Light. This large arborvitae can grow up to 60 feet tall, making it one of the taller arborvitae varieties available. Plant Height - 20' - 30'. P: (317) 758-2000E: info@affordabletrees.com. They naturally grow in a tidy pyramidal or conical habit that doesnt require any trimming. Scientific Name: Thuja occidentalis CongabeHeight: 2 to 4 tallSpread: 2 to 4 wideGrowing Zones: USDA zones 5a 8bGrowth Rate: SlowPreferred Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Little Giant dwarf arborvitaes grow to between 4 and 5 ft. (1.2 1.5 m). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Best in full sun, but generally appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates such as the St. Louis area. All you have to do now is buy one, plant it, and watch it take off. Is a public domain tree, meaning anyone can propagate it from cuttings. This easy-grow Thuja doesnt require any pruning or trimming to keep its shape. Dwarf cultivars of oriental thuja: Rosedalis (left) and Semperaurea in winter. Some of the best western arborvitae cultivars for front or backyards are Atrovirens, Stoneham Gold, Aurea, and Whipcord., Thuja plicata Whipcord shrub has drooping whipcord-like foliage and can each 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) tall. The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation and education organization. As you will see below, they can also be referred to as different types of Thujas, which is their scientific name. Susceptible to damage/stem breakage in winter from ice and snow accumulations. What is the difference between Nigra and Green Giant Arborvitae? - Houzz While both trees are fast growers, their maximum height differs. You can expect it to stay green all summer, then take on some bronze hues in winter. It never drops its leaves/needles as an evergreen, but they return to their brilliant gold color as winter fades. Grow Hetz Midgets in full sun or partial shade. The hedge plants have a spread of 3 ft. (1 m). This article contains our reader's favorite 7 arborvitae types. It is also resistant to wind once established and can withstand heavy ice or snow, making it a good choice for a natural windbreak. 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. Questions, comments, or concerns? we want to make a staggered screen out of them on another property line, but wondering about nigras as well. Thuja Standishii x Plicata Green Giant / Green Giant Hybrid Arborvitae | Conifer Trinomial.American Conifer Society, 11 Mar. From this plant, the clone named 'Green Giant' was propagated. "Green Giant" tolerates cold better than the Leyland cypress, but the latter tolerates heat better than the former. Green Giant Arborvitae Care. The leaves are scale-like and appear dark green on the upper surface and paler below. Arborvitae Types: 7 of the Most Popular Varieties, Trimming Arborvitae - 7 Common Mistakes People Make. Avoid wet soil that does not drain well and exposure to spray or salt. The majestic arborvitae has narrow growth that is ideal for vertical accent in any garden landscape. Even in clay and sandy soils, these arborvitaes are determined to succeed. Two different plants. Growing up to 4 feet yearly, it quickly develops into a mature tree, topping out at 60 feet tall and up to 30 feet wide. Mature Plant Size (H x W) 15-18' x 8-10'. Dense, dark-green foliage maintains its color year-round and makes these trees great choices for privacy screens and sound barriers. In 1967, D.T. Green giant arborvitae rapidly became a popular plant and is a good alternative for hemlock in the Northeast and Leland cypress in the Southeast. Features tiny, scale-like, glossy green leaves that are packed closely together in overlapping rows on divided branchlets, displaying in a flattened, fan-like spray. Heres how to place it out of sight and out of mind, Before you fly off the handle, stop and think about the situation, and follow these steps to live in harmony, Consider windows, skylights and the sun in any potential home, lest you end up facing down the dark, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, Hershey Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Lakewood Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, The 7 Best Plant Types for Creating Privacy and How to Use Them, Great Garden Combo: 3 Wonderful Plants for a Deer-Resistant Screen, Designing With Conifers: Layers of Texture for Your Garden, Garden Myths to Debunk as You Dig This Fall and Rest Over Winter, How to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape, 5 Ways to Hide That Big Air Conditioner in Your Yard, The Polite House: How to Deal With Noisy Neighbors, House Hunting? It is a cross hybrid between the Western Redcedar and Japanese arborvitae. Arborvitae provides nesting sites and cover for birds and small animals. 4 Different Varieties of Arborvitae | DoItYourself.com 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. She grows her own food and flowers in her native Zone 6B. Considered a semi-dwarf variety, it grows in a narrow pyramidal shape to about twelve feet in height when fully mature. Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a native arb that is ideal for privacy in smaller areas. We have an experienced, knowledgeable staff ready to make sure your garden turns out perfect. Jeffrey Douglas own a landscaping company and has been in the business for over 20 years. The flower buds, seeds and foliage are a food source, although this cultivar has greater resistance to deer browsing than most arborvitae. The size can be controlled by yearly pruning if desired. Golden-yellow scaly soft foliage form its columnar pyramid shape. This rare weeping arborvitae will look like a spectacular ornamental tree in your front or backyard. Due to its arching branches, the weeping eastern arborvitae grows best as a specimen tree. All such plants are commonly called arborviataes, an old Latin epithet meaning tree of life. Foliage Color . Green Giant' is a hybrid developed from a cross between the conifers Japanese arborvitae (Thuja standishii) and Western red cedar (Thuja plicata). thank you for advice regarding the double leader. 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. What more could you ask for? Well spell out the differences between our 4 trees, then you decide which is best for your garden! Acidic to alkaline soils that are well-draining but kept moist.Deer Resistant: Yes. 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. The low-maintenance arborvitae stays globular without pruning. Another difference is their tolerance levels to temperature. Doesn't happen a lot, but if you would let one develop, it would be more prone to breakage under snowload. Trees are low maintenance and disease resistant. Poulsen nursery of Copenhagen, Denmark chose and introduced the "Green Giant" to the U.S. National Arboretum in 1967. Because the arborvitae grows slowly, you can also grow it as a foundation plant, boundary plant, or specimen conifer. 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." 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. Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivars are some of the best foundation plantings to add color and elegance to your property. Plant Width - 8' - 12'. The medium-sized arborvitaes are best growing as tall informal hedges. Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra' / black arborvitae | Conifer Trinomial The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. 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. This evergreen conifer is ideal for formal or informal hedges and doesnt lose its color throughout the year. Plant trees 5 to 6 feet apart to establish a privacy hedge or security screen. The American arborvitae species has red-brown bark with furrows and plates that peel. Sometimes this type is pruned to form spiral topiaries. Sienna Mae Heath is a gardening expert with over five years of experience in gardening and landscape design.
