
Are arborvitae more shade tolerant?
According to Michael Dirr, Giant Arborvitae ( Thuja plicata) may be more shade tolerant than Eastern or American Arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis ). Arborvitae lose their dense habit if grown in full shade.
How much sun do arborvitae need?
A. Arborvitae ( Thuja) perform best when planted in a minimum of six hours or more of direct sun per day. However, they can tolerate light shade in areas that only receive four hours of midday sun per day.
How tall does an emerald arborvitae grow?
The American arborvitae cultivar “Emerald” or “Smaragd” (Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”) is adapted to partial shade, and does well as a hedge plant, growing to heights of up to 14 feet.
Where do arborvitaes grow?
Arborvitaes ( Thuja spp.) are evergreen members of the cypress family. They thrive in many regions in this country, with some varieties that do well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 11, though more varieties grow in the cooler zones than the warmest ones.

Can arborvitae tolerate full shade?
Arborvitae, or white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), develops its best shape when grown in full sun, but it will grow in some shade also. Arborvitae will not be as full and dense when grown in shade. Used extensively in landscaping, arborvitae is valued for its hardiness and attractive foliage.
Will a Green Giant arborvitae grow in shade?
Sun and shade Thuja Green Giants are highly adaptable and can grow well in the spectrum from full sun to partial shade. These trees do best with a minimum of four hours of direct and unfiltered sunlight per day.
What evergreen tree grows best in shade?
3 Evergreens For ShadeYew. A very hardy evergreen choice for shaded areas is the yew. ... Boxwood. A longtime favorite in landscapes, the boxwood was first brought to North America from Europe in the 1600s. ... Hemlock.
Why are my arborvitae turning brown?
The Reason Why Arborvitae Foliage Turns Brown The combination of wind, sun, freezing temperatures, and lack of available water in winter can cause arborvitae foliage (and the leaves of other evergreens, as well) to turn brown. This happens because they are drying out.
What is the most shade tolerant arborvitae?
According to Michael Dirr, Giant Arborvitae (Thuja plicata) may be more shade tolerant than Eastern or American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis). Arborvitae lose their dense habit if grown in full shade.
Which is better Leyland cypress or arborvitae?
Green Giant Arborvitae is the best fast-growing Leyland Cypress alternative. It is essentially disease-free, with moderate drought resistance and excellent tolerance of heat and humidity. It can grow up to 3 feet per year and can be maintained with 1 or 2 pruning sessions per year.
What is the most shade tolerant tree?
11 Best Trees That Grow in Shade for YearsAmerican hornbeam.Big leaf maple.American hop hornbeam.Common hoptree.Japanese maple.Pagoda dogwood.Pawpaw (Northern species)Sugar maple.More items...•
What trees dont need sunlight?
20 Best Low Light Indoor Trees – No Bright Light Required!Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) ... Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) ... Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens) ... Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) ... Dwarf Banana Tree (Musa acuminata 'Dwarf Cavendish') ... Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) ... Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)More items...
What grows well in the shade?
Fruits and Vegetables That Grow in the ShadeKale. A tried-and-true favorite that's experienced recent popularity, kale is prolific in cool seasons and in shadier areas of the garden. ... Broccoli. ... Cauliflower. ... Cabbage. ... Brussels Sprouts. ... Beets. ... Radishes. ... Carrots.More items...
Can you revive a dead arborvitae?
We found that adding new mulch around the base of browning arborvitae will slow down the dying process and might save your tree altogether. Another way to save browning arborvitae is to prune your tree once it begins to show new growth in the springtime.
Is Miracle Gro good for arborvitaes?
Answer: Miracle-Gro Miracid Plant Food is designed to be used for acid-loving plants such as hydrangeas, azaleas, and rhododendrons; it is not appropriate for evergreens such as arborvitae.
Can brown arborvitae be saved?
Brown arborvitae can be saved from conditions that cause it to brown, but it usually doesn't change back to the healthy green it once was. That doesn't mean the entire tree can't be saved, however.
How far from my property line should I plant Green Giant arborvitae?
It's the perfect screening plant when you need that screening to go high. A Word to the Wise: Along with height and fast growth comes width, so before planting Green Giant be sure you can give up 8 to 12 feet to this plant. Don't put it two feet from your fence, or even from the property line.
How long does it take for a Green Giant arborvitae to grow?
How fast do Green Giant Arborvitaes grow? They grow very fast. This variety is actually one of the fastest-growing conifers. Growing 3 to 5 feet every year, a mature tree can reach as much as 50 feet tall and 5 feet wide in a span of 10 years.
How fast do Green Giant arborvitae grow a year?
3' per yearThis tree: Will grow up to 3' per year until maturity. Darkens or bronzes slightly in the winter. Requires little or no pruning but can be sheared easily if necessary.
How fast do Green Giant arborvitae trees grow?
The thuja green giant arborvitae growth rate puts on 3-5 feet per year of height. A row of rich Green Giants will quickly create a privacy screen that blocks the wind and snow, and blocks the view. The dark green foliage of the green giant plant can grow in a wide range of soils.
What trees can thrive in the sun?
American arborvitae ( Thuja occidentalis) and western red cedar ( Thuja plicata) are both Native American trees that can thrive in sun or in high shade.
What is the best tree to grow in a shady corner?
Image by Morlaya. If you want a year-round ornamental tree in a shady corner of your garden, a conifer could be your answer. You’ll find more than a few shade loving conifers, and even more shade tolerant conifers to select between.
What is the second tree on our list of shade loving conifers?
Be sure you provide excellent drainage and protect yews from deer. The second tree on our list of shade loving conifers is called plum yew ( Cephalotaxus spp.), and despite its common name, it’s a completely different plant.
Do conifers grow in shade?
Like other types of trees, conifers don’t all have the same cultural requirements. Some grow best if planted in sun, but you can also find conifers for shade.
Can conifers grow in full sun?
Not every type of sha de tolerant conifers can thrive in full shade. Here are some options for shade tolerant conifers that can grow in light shade or filtered sun. Canada hemlock ( Tsuga canadensis) words as a conifer for shade as long as the shade is fairly light.
Why do arborvitae grow so close together?
Planting them too close together will prevent them from growing as they should because they will all be competing for the same minerals and nutrients in the soil. Check your variety of arborvitae to see how far apart they should be placed and make sure that you follow those steps to keep them healthy.
How tall does an arborvitae tree grow?
There are many varieties, some growing over 40-feet tall. There are things you can do that may damage the arborvitae, however, so it is important that you are careful as you plant, grow and maintain your plants and trees.
How to keep arborvitae trees from breaking?
Heavy snow and built up ice can be very damaging to your arborvitae trees. Make sure you maintain your trees during that time by knocking the snow off the branches and allowing the trees to stay upright. This will prevent disease caused by cold and keep your tree's branches from breaking.
When to use mesh for arborvitae?
Consider purchasing a mesh to go over your arborvitae during the autumn and winter. Not only will this help the snow fall to the ground, but it will also protect your tree from foraging animals. Rachel suggests, "Heavy duty multi-strand mesh offers the most protection for your arborvitae and even offers UV protection.
Do you have to water arborvitae in the first season?
New trees need to be watered deeply for the entire first season after planting. Sprinklers never work as well as a deep soak.
Can arborvitae grow in any climate?
Planting the Wrong Variety. Although most arborvitae will grow in any climate, certain varieties grow better in each zone. When you are purchasing your arborvitae, research the climate zones where it will flourish. This will make your arborvitae care much simpler and the tree will require less maintenance.
Can arborvitae be planted in full sun?
Rachel advises, "Arborvitae can be planted in full sun or partial shade and can grow in most soil types, though they prefer slightly acidic soil.".
How long do Thuja Green Giants live?
When cared for well, Thuja Green Giants live for up to 40 years.
Where is Thuja native to?
It is a cross hybrid between the Western Redcedar and Japanese arborvitae. Native to Europe, the D.T. Poulsen nursery of Copenhagen, Denmark chose and introduced the "Green Giant" to the U.S. National Arboretum in 1967. 1
Do giant green arborvitae eat deer?
Yes, they are. Giant Green Arborvitaes are tolerant of drought, heat, humidity, cold, wind, ice and snow damage, and to many pests including deer.
Do you fertilize arborvitae in the first year?
You should not fertilize the tree in the first year after planting. For the early years after that, enrich the soil with plenty of water and balanced fertilizer; this will promote continuous, vigorous growth. Then, as with more arborvitae, it will not need much or any fertilizer.
Do you need to prune a green giant arborvitae?
Covered in dense, dark, evergreen foliage from the ground up, the " Green Giant" arborvitae needs little to no pruning or shearing. Growing elegantly and consistently, it only needs to be pruned if necessary or for aesthetic reasons. Shear into a desired shape and size, and maintain it throughout the warmer months. 6
Is arborvitae resistant to deer?
Fortunately, this variety is more resistant to deer than most arborvitae and it has no major insect or disease issues. Keep an eye out for scale, rots, and bagworm in poorly drained soils.
How tall do arborvitae grow?
Each species has its own growth rate, but some grow a full 3 feet (1 m.) or more each year and achieve soaring heights of 15 or 20 feet (4.5 to 6 m.) tall. The fact that they are evergreen means that the privacy protection or wind block lasts all year long. Undemanding and easy-care – Arborvitae is not a picky plant.
What is an arborvitae tree?
And they are lovely specimen tree too. Arborvitaes ( Thuja spp.) are evergreen members of the cypress family. They thrive in many regions in this country, with some varieties that do well in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 to 11, though more varieties grow in the cooler zones than the warmest ones.
What is the name of the group of evergreen shrubs?
The group of evergreen shrubs known as arborvitae is commonly used in the home, urban, and suburban landscape, to the point of being overused. Arborvitae shrubs and trees have their pros, but there are enough cons, ...
How tall does a birch bush grow?
But it is gorgeous paired with birch or other high contrast bushes and perennials. It will grow taller than the advertised 12'/4m as the species grow to 40'/13m--but you can prune it a couple of feet shorter than you want it to grow.
Can arborvitae trees be pruned back?
And if your arborvitae trees get too tall, don’t hesitate to prune them back. They accept pruning and shearing with grace. But never prune the trees back to bare stems since they usually won’t regrow. Inexpensive and beneficial for wildlife – Another of the arborvitae pros is its price.
Can arborvitae grow faster?
Most gardeners thinking about a privacy hedge or wind screen wish they had acted months or years earlier, so the rapid growth that arborvitae trees show is a great advantage. Even if you are growing an arborvitae as a specimen tree, it’s nice to see it shoot up from seedling to “tree” in record time.
Is arborvitae a good shrub?
Arborvitae shrubs and trees have their pros, but there are enough cons, and enough better alternatives, to choose other evergreen species. Of course, we’ll leave this up to you to decide as we explore both the benefits of arborvitae planting and reasons why you shouldn’t plant arborvitae in the landscape.
What evergreens grow in shade?
Not all evergreens that grow in shade are conifers. Wax myrtle (Morella cerifera) is hardy in USDA zones 6a through 11, and grows relatively quickly in sun or partial shade. Evergreen with long, leanceolate leaves, wax myrtle comes in full-sized and dwarf varieties: check at the nursery to avoid surprises. Texas mountain laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is hardy in USDA zones 7b through 10a, and its smooth growth habit and dense foliage make it a common choice for a hedge plant.
Why are my hedges so tall in the shade?
The main problem with tall hedges that grow in shade is that, given too little light , many plants lose leaves, become leggy, and generally grow too thinly as they get taller. This makes it hard for them to serve their intended purpose.
What is the best hedge for holly?
Hollies (Ilex spp.) make excellent hedges, both because of their dense growth habit and their thick, evergreen foliage and bright, seasonal berries. American holly (Ilex opaca), for instance, has leathery green leaves and red berries that appear in late fall and persist through the winter.
Is holly a hedge?
Hollies (Ilex spp.) make excellent hedges, both because of their dense growth habit and their thick, evergreen foliage and bright, seasonal berries. American holly (Ilex opaca), for instance, has leathery green leaves and red berries that appear in late fall and persist through the winter. It is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9 and will tolerate partial shade.
Do hedges need sun?
Because many hedge plants do like to get some sun, you should establish as your hedge site, if possible, whichever place gets the most sunlight. If you have a wide margin to play with, do some observation first to find out which swatch receives the most hours of sunlight per day. In some cases it won’t matter, but in others -- such as when there is a line of trees along your property -- moving your hedge several feet in one direction or another may get you more light.
