Platycladus
Chinese arbor-vitae, Oriental thuja
Also known as Thuja, Biota
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 12m × 0.3m – 3m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome classic conifer, a symbol of vitality in Asian cultures. Neat and upright, curiously textured with vertical rippling lines of foliage. Some have stunning winter colour with golden foliage, or tinted in red, purple or bronze. There's columnar, rounded or conical shapes, some make good hedging. Dwarf varieties no more than 75cm are perfect for small spaces and pots, others grow to 20m.
- Foliage colour
- Gold, Green, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Blue, Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Column, Cone, Dome, Oval
- Height
- 0.5m – 12m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Screening, Structural, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
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 in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Outdoors
Water some varieties differently
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for water. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for watering guidance.
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 Platycladus
Platycladus orientalis 'Aurea Nana'
Chinese arbor-vitae, Oriental thuja
Platycladus orientalis 'Conspicua'
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Platycladus orientalis 'Flame'
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Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan'
Chinese arbor-vitae
Platycladus orientalis 'Pyramidalis Aurea'
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Platycladus orientalis 'Rosedalis'
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Platycladus orientalis
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Platycladus orientalis 'Elegantissima'
Chinese arbor-vitae, Oriental thuja