Arborvitaes are a variety of slow-growing evergreen conifers with elegant, fine, and luxuriant needle-like leaves that develop slowly. They come in different forms and sizes, such as small conical trees, round shrubs, and tall columnar trees. Arborvitaes are an excellent option for creating natural privacy screens, wide hedges, living borders, or as a prominent focal point in a landscape.
Types of Arborvitae Trees
Arborvitaes, which belong to the Thuja genus, include five different types of trees: American arborvitae, Giant arborvitae, Korean arborvitae, Japanese arborvitae, and Sichuan Arborvitae. Arborvitaes are a popular choice for garden landscaping and are native to North America, with American arborvitae and Giant arborvitae being the most commonly found species.
There are three main types of arborvitae, including Thuja occidentalis, Thuja plicata, and Thuja orientalis, each with several cultivars. American arborvitae is often used as a landscape plant and can grow up to 49 feet (15 meters) tall, while Giant arborvitae can be a massive conifer tree that also has dwarf species suitable for residential yards.
Oriental arborvitae, which belongs to the genera Platycladus orientalis and Thuja orientalis, is a slow-growing tree with light green leaves that are suitable for both formal and informal hedges. Many small cultivars, such as ‘Aura Nana,’ are available. Descriptions and photos of different Thuja trees can make it easier to select the perfect arborvitaes for your garden landscape.
Types of Arborvitae (With Pictures) – Identification Guide
Thuja occidentalis, commonly known as American arborvitae, is a popular choice for landscaping due to its adaptability and tolerance of various growing conditions. These trees prefer full sun exposure and well-draining soil, but can also grow in partial shade.
Arborvitae trees come in various shapes and sizes, including cone-shaped, columnar, and rounded forms, depending on the species. Small arborvitaes are perfect for creating hedges, privacy screens, foundation plantings, and border plantings. Although some types of arborvitae are commonly referred to as cedar trees, they are not true cedars.
There are several different species of arborvitae, including Thuja occidentalis, Thuja plicata, Thuja koraiensis, Thuja standishii, and Thuja sutchuenensis, each with unique characteristics and growing requirements. Photographs and descriptions of these species can help gardeners choose the best arborvitaes for their landscape.
American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Thuja occidentalis, commonly referred to as American arborvitae, is a beautiful tree that is commonly used in landscaping. These trees are native to North America and can grow up to 50 feet tall in the wild, but there are many smaller cultivars that are popular in gardens and parks.
In addition to American arborvitae, this species is also known as northern white cedar, swamp cedar, eastern arborvitae, and eastern white cedar. The branches of Thuja occidentalis grow in a fan-like pattern, and the scaly leaves create a lush, thick foliage.
The bark of American arborvitae is distinctive, with a reddish-brown color and a peeling texture that creates wrinkles and plates. Thuja occidentalis can have a variety of shapes, including pyramidal, columnar, rounded, or slim and straight. These trees prefer full sun to partial shade and are best suited to USDA zones 2-7.
Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
Thuja ‘Emerald Green,’ also known as Smaragd, is a sought-after evergreen tree with stunning foliage. Among the Thuja species, the arborvitae known as “Emerald Green” is one of the most appealing columnar trees. This upright columnar arborvitae, also referred to as Smaragd, has tight growth and can reach a height of up to 14 feet (4 meters).
Arborvitaes are a great option for creating evergreen hedges, shrub borders, windbreaks, and living fences by planting trees together in full sun. They maintain their green hue throughout the year and don’t turn brown in the winter.
Growing Emerald Green Arborvitaes:
- Suitable for USDA zones 2-7
- Grows between 12-14 ft. (3.5 – 4 m) tall
- Low maintenance columnar arborvitae.
‘Little Giant’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’)
The dwarf globe-shaped conifer arborvitae cultivar is an excellent choice for garden landscaping. The needle-like leaves of this little arborvitae remain dark green throughout the year, and it grows with a rich green color. As it grows slowly, it develops into a perfectly round ball shape.
‘Little Giant’ dwarf arborvitaes require minimal pruning or trimming to maintain their shape. These slow-growing conifers are perfect for use as a foundation plant, low-growing formal hedge, or specimen plant. While other tall, thin arborvitaes, such as pyramidal arborvitaes, have a more rounded growth.
Growing arborvitaes known as the Little Giants:
- USDA zones 3 – 8
- Height: 5 ft. (1.5 m)
- For garden landscapes, one of the best round arborvitaes is
Thuja occidentalis ‘Hetz Midget’
The arborvitae cultivar ‘Hetz Midget’ is a great option for small spaces and can easily fit into tight spots. Its dark green foliage turns to bronze hues in winter, making it a popular choice among gardeners. The flat, scale-like leaves of Hetz Midget are clustered in fan-shaped groups.
Hetz Midget can be grown in full sun or partial shade and is perfect for foundation plantings, mixed borders, small hedges, or rock gardens due to its short stature as an arborvitae shrub. This dwarf Thuja is also great as a container plant on terraces, patios, or porches.
Growing Hetz Midget arborvitaes:
- Suitable for USDA zones 3-7
- Height: 3-4 ft. (1-1.2 m)
- Little compact rounded arborvitae with blue-green leaves.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Fire Chief’
The arborvitae ‘Fire Chief’ has greenish-red foliage that changes color with the seasons. Thuja is one of the most recognizable arborvitaes, with its thick feathery leaves that alternate with the seasons. It is commonly known as the “Fire Chief.” In the spring, the leaves are bright gold, then dark green in the summer before becoming red-tipped in winter.
As a foundation plant, low-growing hedge, or shrub border, ‘Fire Chief’ arborvitae is ideal. The ‘Fire Chief, like most dwarf arborvitaes, thrives in pots on your outdoor or balcony.
Growing arborvitae called the ‘Fire Chief,’ please read:
- USDA zones 5 – 7
- Height: 3 or 4 ft. (1 – 1.2 m)
- With red autumn and winter foliage, this globose, shrubby conifer is striking.
Thuja occidentalis ‘Aurea Nana’
Berkman’s Gold, also known as ‘Aurea Nana,’ is a beautiful globe-shaped, small conifer with golden green leaves. Its soft needle-like leaves are bright golden-green, and the evergreen foliage turns to an orangey-yellow hue during autumn and winter.
Aurea Nana, a drought-tolerant plant, is a dwarf globe arborvitae that can grow up to 6 feet (1.8 meters), although it takes many years to reach such a height. It is ideal for use as a foundation planting, specimen shrub, or formal low-growing hedge.
The following information about growing ‘Aurea Nana’ arborvitaes can be useful:
- Suitable for USDA zones 6-8
- Height: up to 6 ft. (1.8 m)
- Garden landscapes with bright green leaves throughout the year.
American Arborvitae ‘Yellow Ribbon’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’)
The semi-dwarf arborvitae is a narrow, pyramidal conifer that makes an excellent screening hedge. This columnar arborvitae has an upright growth habit and a small pyramidal shape. Its leaves are yellowish-green in the spring, turn to medium green, and finally reddish-brown.
Yellow arborvitaes enliven gardens with their bright color throughout the year. The Yellow Ribbon arborvitae, also known as the upright arborvitae, is ideal for creating a privacy screen or tall hedge. The plants forming the hedge are 3 feet (1 meter) long.
Here’s some information on growing Yellow Ribbon arborvitaes:
- Suitable for USDA zones 2-7
- Height: 8-10 ft. (2.4 – 3 m)
- Narrow, pyramid-shaped arborvitae with bright yellow-green foliage.
Weeping Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Pendula’)
Thuja occidentalis, also known as American arborvitae, is a stunning specimen tree in gardens due to its drooping, pendulous leaves. One of the most unique evergreen trees is the weeping American arborvitae. If the central stem is staked, the slow-growing Thuja will grow upright. However, without support, the shrubby conifer has a spreading growth habit.
The weeping eastern arborvitae is an excellent choice for a specimen tree due to its arching branches. In the front or backyard, this weeping arborvitae resembles a beautiful ornamental tree.
Weeping eastern arborvitaes can be found at this website:
- USDA zones 3 – 7
- Height: 5 to 10 ft. (1.5 – 3 m) after ten years
- weeping growth and light green leaves distinguish the arborvitae.
‘Danica’ Globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Danica’)
The ‘Danica’ is one of the smallest globe arborvitae cultivars and is perfect for mixed borders. This miniature American arborvitae cultivar is limited to just 2 ft. (0.6 m) in height and width. It has green foliage that turns blue-green in the winter.
The ‘Danica’ has densely packed, spherical or globe-shaped scale-like leaves. Small globe arborvitaes such as the ‘Danica’ cultivar are ideal for border shrubs, foundation plantings, and evergreen edging plants. The bronze tinge on the emerald green arborvitae leaves lasts all year and gets darker in the winter.
Here’s some information on growing arborvitaes of the genus Danica:
- Suitable for USDA zones 3-7
- Height: 1-2 ft. (0.3-0.6 m)
- Perfectly spherical tiny arborvitae tree.
‘Woodward’ Globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Woodwardii’)
The Thuja arborvitae bush has gray-green leaves that turn a delicate green hue in the winter. The Woodward arborvitae cultivar grows in a globular shape. ‘Woodwardii’ can grow up to 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall in ten years and measures 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 meters) wide.
Arborvitaes are low-maintenance plants that require little pruning. Woodward arborvitae bushes make an excellent broad evergreen hedge. You can also grow this arborvitae cultivar as a foundation plant, boundary plant, or specimen conifer because of its slow growth.
If you want to grow arborvitaes of the Woodwardii variety, here is some information for you:
- Suitable for USDA zones 3-7
- Height: 4-10 ft. (1.2-3 m)
- Rounded arborvitae with simple care requirements.
Rheingold Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’)
In the fall, Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ develops golden foliage with a dome shape. Depending on the cultivar, the arborvitae can grow between 3 to 5 feet (1.5 to 1.5 meters) tall. Some ‘Rheingold’ arborvitaes have a cone shape, while others are rounded. To maintain the bright and thick yellow foliage, grow this arborvitae cultivar in moist soil in full sun.
If you are interested in growing arborvitaes of the ‘Rheingold’ type, here is some information for you:
- Suitable for USDA zones 4-8
- Height: up to 5 ft. (1.5 m)
- A bushy arborvitae with brilliant golden-yellow leaves.
‘North Pole’ Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘North Pole’)
“Art Boe” cultivars are upright columnar conifers with dark evergreen foliage that can grow between 4 and 6 feet (1.2 and 1.8 meters) tall. This stunning arborvitae has a compact growth habit that works well in any garden setting, providing vertical emphasis.
The “Art Boe” arborvitae is cold-hardy and perfect for creating tall hedges, privacy screens, or borders. It’s also an excellent choice as a specimen tree for small gardens.
If you’re interested in growing Arborvitae ‘Art Boe,’ here’s some information for you:
- Suitable for USDA zones 3-7
- Height: 4 to 6 ft. (1.2 – 1.8 m)
- Medium-sized arborvitae with dark green soft foliage.
Arborvitae ‘Filips Magic Moment’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Filips Magic Moment’)
The hardy ‘Filips Magic Moment’ arborvitae displays an upright pyramidal growth with golden leaves that remain bright in both hot and cold temperatures. Its columnar pyramid shape is formed by the golden-yellow scaly soft foliage. This arborvitae variety is perfect for garden landscapes that need brightening and thrives in full sun and moist soil conditions. You can plant these arborvitaes in a row to create a bright yellow hedge, natural privacy screen, or living fence. Additionally, they can be used as corner plantings or entry container plants.
Here’s the information on growing arborvitaes named after ‘Filips Magic Moment’:
USDA zones 3-7 Height: 6 to 8 ft. (1.8 – 2.4 m) Arborvitaes with a bright yellow columnar foliage that is perfect for garden landscapes.
Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis or Thuja orientalis)
The Oriental arborvitae is an evergreen conifer that can grow up to 49-66 feet (15-20 meters) and is commonly found in Asia. Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivars, on the other hand, have bright green leaves that turn bronze in the winter and have a rounded growth pattern. These cultivars belong to the genus Platycladus orientalis in the cypress family.
Dwarf Oriental arborvitae cultivars are an excellent choice for foundation plantings that can add color and beauty to your home. Additionally, they can be grown as low hedges, border plants, or specimen shrubs.
In the winter, ‘Rosedalis’ (left) and ‘Semperaurea’ (right) are dwarf cultivars of Oriental thuja.
- USDA zones 6 – 9
- Height: 2 to 5 ft. for dwarf cultivars (0.6 – 1.5 m)
- Perfect for residential garden landscapes, this arborvitae cultivar is rounded.
Western Red Cedar ‘Green Giant’ (Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant’)
There are many smaller cultivars of arborvitae trees suitable for residential gardens, such as Thuja plicata ‘Green Giant.’ The large Western arborvitaes, which can grow up to 210-230 feet (64-70 meters) tall, are rarely used in residential landscapes.
These magnificent trees have flat needle-like foliage that forms green foliage. Small cultivars of Western red arborvitaes make excellent hedge choices for residential gardens. Some of the most desirable cultivars for front or rear yards include ‘Atrovirens,’ ‘Stoneham Gold,’ ‘Aurea,’ and ‘Whipcord.’
The whipcord-like foliage of Thuja plicata ‘Whipcord’ makes it grow to be about 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall.
Western Arborvitae ‘Zebrina’ (Thuja Plicata ‘Zebrina’)
The ‘Zebrina’ arborvitae cultivar is an ornamental evergreen conifer with unique foliage. It has green leaves with distinctive cream-yellow stripes or patterns resembling a zebra, hence its name. The mature height of these trees can reach up to 40 feet (14 meters) with an annual growth rate of around 1 foot (30 cm).
Medium-sized arborvitaes are ideal for creating tall and informal hedges, or medium-sized privacy screens by regular pruning.