Thuja occidentalis
American arbor vitae, White cedar, Yellow cedar
- Height × spread
- 0.35m – 15m × 0.3m – 8m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There is a good range of interesting cultivars available in shades of green, yellow and gold. In some cases the foliage takes on bronzed or purple shades during the winter months, a valuable asset in a garden, 'Rheingold' being the best known cultivar. There are a number of slow-growing characterful plants with attractively swirled foliage that make ornamental, roughly cone-shaped plants, such as 'Trompenburg'. There are also forms with pendulous branch tips such as 'Filiformis', and forms with a rounded dwarf habit like 'Meckii' and the variegated 'Meineke's Zwerg'.
- Foliage colour
- Brown, Green, Yellow
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Column, Cone, Dome, Round
- Height
- 0.35m – 15m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 8m
- Season of interest
- Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Scented garden, Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Ground cover, Structural, Architectural, Deer resistant, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some poisonous
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Planting & general
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.
Found in
More Thuja
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'
American arbor vitae, White cedar, Yellow cedar
Thuja plicata 'Whipcord'
Western red cedar, Western arbor vitae
Thuja
Red cedar, Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
American arbor vitae, White cedar, Yellow cedar
Thuja occidentalis 'Amber Glow'
American arbor vitae, White cedar, Yellow cedar
Thuja occidentalis 'Anniek'
Dwarf white cedar
Thuja occidentalis 'Brobecks Tower'
White cedar
Thuja occidentalis 'Danica Aurea'
Yellow cedar