Arborvitae trees are popular for landscaping, privacy screens, and ornamental purposes due to their evergreen foliage and adaptability. This list covers 20 distinct types of arborvitae, highlighting their visual traits, typical sizes, and best uses. Whether you’re a gardener, landscaper, or homeowner looking to choose the right arborvitae for your space, this guide will help you identify and select the perfect variety.
1. Thuja occidentalis “Emerald Green”
Emerald Green arborvitae is a narrow, pyramidal cultivar growing 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Its bright, rich green foliage maintains color year-round, making it ideal for tight spaces or formal hedges. It’s low-maintenance and deer-resistant, perfect for privacy screens in small yards.
2. Thuja plicata “Green Giant”
Green Giant is a fast-growing hybrid reaching 50-60 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide at maturity. Its dense, dark green foliage creates excellent windbreaks or large privacy barriers. It tolerates heat and humidity better than many arborvitaes, suitable for southern climates.
3. Thuja occidentalis “Techny”
Techny arborvitae is a robust, broad pyramidal tree growing 15-20 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. Its dark green needles are dense and soft, making it a popular choice for windbreaks and foundation plantings. It’s hardy to USDA zone 3, tolerating cold winters well.
4. Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd” (Emerald Arborvitae)
Smaragd is a classic narrow pyramidal arborvitae, growing 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. Its bright emerald green foliage holds well in winter, giving year-round interest. This cultivar is widely used for formal hedges and privacy screens in residential landscapes.
5. Thuja occidentalis “Degroot’s Spire”
Degroot’s Spire is a tall, narrow cultivar reaching 15-20 feet tall and about 5 feet wide. It features rich green foliage with a slightly more upright form than Smaragd. It works well as a vertical accent or for tight privacy screens.
6. Thuja occidentalis “Hetz Midget”
Hetz Midget is a slow-growing dwarf variety that only reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide after 10 years. Its compact, rounded form and bright green needles make it a perfect choice for rock gardens or foundation plantings where space is limited.
7. Thuja occidentalis “Little Giant”
Little Giant grows faster than most dwarf arborvitaes, reaching 5-6 feet tall and wide in 10 years. It has a dense, pyramidal form and dark green foliage that turns bronze in winter. It’s excellent for small hedges or as a specimen plant in small yards.
8. Thuja occidentalis “Rheingold”
Rheingold is known for its bright golden-yellow foliage that intensifies in winter. It grows 10-15 feet tall and about 4-5 feet wide with a pyramidal shape. This cultivar adds vibrant color contrast when mixed into hedges or used as a standalone specimen.
9. Thuja occidentalis “Yellow Ribbon”
Yellow Ribbon is a narrow, columnar arborvitae that reaches 10-15 feet tall with a 3-4 foot spread. Its yellow-green foliage brightens shaded areas and provides a cheerful contrast in mixed plantings. It’s often used in formal gardens and narrow privacy screens.
10. Thuja occidentalis “Holmstrup”
Holmstrup is a fast-growing, dense arborvitae reaching 15-20 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide. It has a bright green color and soft texture, ideal for windbreaks, privacy hedges, or large foundation plantings. It’s tolerant of urban pollution and drought once established.
11. Thuja occidentalis “Danica”
Danica is a globe-shaped dwarf cultivar growing about 3 feet tall and wide. Its dense, dark green foliage is tightly packed, making it a great choice for containers, rock gardens, or as an accent shrub in borders.
12. Thuja occidentalis “Brandon”
Brandon arborvitae is a narrow, upright tree growing 15-20 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Its dark green foliage is dense and holds color well through winter. It’s ideal for privacy screens and windbreaks in colder climates.
13. Thuja occidentalis “Green Mountain”
Green Mountain features a pyramidal shape with slightly broader shoulders than Emerald Green. It grows 12-15 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide, with rich green foliage that turns bronze in winter. This cultivar is prized for its cold hardiness and dense growth habit.
14. Thuja occidentalis “Sherwood”
Sherwood arborvitae is a narrow, columnar tree that reaches 12-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide. It holds a medium green color year-round and has a tighter, more upright form than many other cultivars. It’s often used in narrow spaces or as a vertical accent.
15. Thuja occidentalis “Golden Globe”
Golden Globe is a dwarf globe-shaped arborvitae growing 3-4 feet tall and wide. Its bright golden-yellow foliage adds vibrant color to rock gardens, borders, and container plantings. This slow-growing cultivar is ideal for foundation plantings or mixed beds.
16. Thuja occidentalis “All-American Gold”
All-American Gold is a fast-growing, narrow pyramidal arborvitae with bright golden-yellow foliage that deepens in winter. It grows 12-15 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide, making it perfect for colorful privacy screens or garden accents.
17. Thuja occidentalis “Filiformis”
Filiformis is a unique cultivar with thread-like, feathery foliage that gives a soft, almost fern-like texture. It grows 10-15 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, offering a distinctive look for mixed borders or specimen plantings.
18. Thuja occidentalis “Zebrina”
Zebrina is notable for its striking yellow and green striped foliage. It grows 8-12 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, providing a vibrant, variegated accent in gardens or containers. It prefers partial shade to maintain its bright colors.
19. Thuja occidentalis “Sunkist”
Sunkist arborvitae features bright golden-orange foliage that intensifies in winter. It grows 10-15 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide with a narrow pyramidal form. It’s excellent for adding warm color to hedges or foundation plantings.
20. Thuja occidentalis “Emerald Sentinel”
Emerald Sentinel is a narrow, upright variety reaching 15-20 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. Its dense deep green foliage holds color well in winter, making it a durable choice for privacy screens and windbreaks in colder zones.
How to Choose
When selecting an arborvitae, consider the mature size to ensure it fits your space. Think about growth rate—fast growers like Green Giant suit large areas, while dwarf types like Danica or Golden Globe are better for small gardens. Foliage color and texture affect aesthetic appeal; golden or variegated varieties add color contrast. Climate tolerance matters: Northern gardeners should choose cold-hardy cultivars like Techny or Green Mountain, while southern areas benefit from heat-tolerant types like Green Giant. Lastly, consider the intended use—privacy screens need dense, tall varieties, while ornamentals can be smaller or uniquely shaped.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How fast do arborvitae trees grow?
Growth rates vary widely; Green Giant can grow 3 feet per year, while dwarf varieties like Hetz Midget grow less than 6 inches annually.
Q: Are arborvitaes deer resistant?
Most arborvitae are moderately deer resistant, but heavy deer populations may browse on younger foliage.
Q: What soil conditions do arborvitaes prefer?
They thrive in well-drained, moist soils with slightly acidic to neutral pH but tolerate a range of soil types.
Q: How often should arborvitaes be watered?
Regular watering is essential during establishment; mature trees require watering during dry spells but generally prefer consistent moisture.
Q: Can arborvitae be pruned?
Yes, they respond well to pruning and shaping, especially when grown as hedges or formal screens.
Q: Do arborvitaes tolerate full sun?
Most arborvitaes do best in full sun to partial shade; however, some cultivars may scorch in intense afternoon sun.
Final Thoughts
Arborvitae trees offer versatile options for landscaping, from towering privacy screens to compact ornamental accents. Knowing their visual characteristics, sizes, and uses allows you to select the right cultivar for your garden’s needs. Whether you want a fast-growing windbreak or a colorful dwarf shrub, the diversity within arborvitae species ensures there’s a perfect fit for nearly every landscape.
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