Emerald Arborvitae

The Emerald Arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd', also known as white cedar, exhibits a thin, dense pyramidal form with bright green green foliage which holds its color well through winter. This arborvitae makes an outstanding screen, and can grow at a rate of about four feet for each year. When young, the Emerald Arborvitae has a bright green color to its foliage which darkens as the plant ages. This arborvitae makes an exceptional hedge plant, but also used for foundation plants, informal hedges, entranceways, privacy screens, non-thorny barriers, or specimen shrub. It will grow particularly well in marshy areas and in alkaline soil. This resilient arborvitae prefers full sun to flourish and will do best in an area with high atmospheric moisture. Because this plant often grows of course into a perfect pyramidal shape, little pruning is essential. If the winter is particularly cold, the foliage of an emerald green arborvitae will twist yellow-brown. This pyramidal beauty will become one of your favorites with its excellent cold and heat tolerance.