Emerald Green Arborvitae

Title:
Emerald Green Arborvitae

Description:
The Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its narrow, pyramidal shape and dense, vibrant green foliage that remains lush year-round. This low-maintenance conifer is ideal for privacy screens, hedges, and accent plantings, providing elegant structure to any landscape without taking up too much space.

Reaching a mature height of 12–15 feet and a width of 3–4 feet, Emerald Green Arborvitae is perfect for small and medium-sized yards. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a range of soil types, as long as the soil is moist but well-drained. The foliage consists of vertical, flat sprays of scale-like leaves that hold their rich emerald color through every season. This variety is extremely cold hardy and rarely troubled by pests or diseases.

Key Features:

• Dense, upright, narrow pyramidal form

• Bright emerald green foliage year-round

• Mature size: 12–15 ft tall, 3–4 ft wide

• Moderate growth rate

• Ideal for privacy screens, hedges, and accent plantings

• Low maintenance; little to no pruning required (prune in early spring if needed)

• Cold hardy (USDA zones 2–7)

• Drought-resistant once established

Care Instructions:
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Water deeply once a week during the first year, then maintain consistent moisture for best growth. Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer if growth is sparse. Prune only to shape or remove damaged branches.

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Moderate; keep soil moist but not soggy, especially when young
Soil: Moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline pH
Growth Rate: Moderate
Landscape Uses: Privacy screen, hedge, accent shrub, foundation planting
Companion Plants: Golden Globe Arborvitae, Hydrangea, Boxwood, Holly
Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'