Trouble is, most of the choices available have two problems – they either grow too slowly, so it takes years to get that hedge of your dreams, or they grow fast, but out as well as up, soon eating up big areas of your garden with 8 or 10 foot wide plants that need constant trimming to keep them in check. Not any more. With the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae you get rapid growth – 3 to 4 feet per year – but up, not out, so that a mature tree that has not been trimmed will be 20 feet tall in just a few years, but stay only 3 feet wide – even less with occasional trimming. So now, even in a small garden, you can have tall, sheltering and screening hedges, and still keep your garden free and open, for family fun or an amazing plant collection. With this outstanding new introduction it will be ‘full speed ahead’ for the hedges and garden of your dreams.

Growing the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae

Size and Appearance

The Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae is a new variety of the native white cedar, Thuja or arborvitae. That reliable hedging plant has been a favorite for decades, especially in colder zones, but the wild version tends to be slow growing, and hedges take years to achieve enough height to work well for screening or as a wind-break. With the Full Speed A Hedge® variety the growth rate has been super-charged, making 3 feet a year easily achievable, ans 4 feet a year possible under ideal conditions. Even more important, all that growth is directed upwards, even if you never trim. So instead of a fat hedge consuming 5 feet or more of your garden, the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae puts all that effort into ‘up’, making an untrimmed hedge 20 feet tall but just 3 feet wide within just a few years.
The foliage is dense, forming flat fans of rich green closely placed together, at about twice the density of a typical white cedar. This gives you a dense, private screen of beautiful neutral green that is handsome and fresh year-round. So even in the depths of winter your hedge will be glowing green, and in spring and summer its lighter greens are the perfect backdrop to your garden, whether it’s a simple lawn or a complex flower and shrub garden.

Using the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae in Your Garden

When it comes to planting a slim hedge, this is one evergreen that stands head and shoulders above the competition. Not just literally, but in color, density of foliage, hardiness and ease of growth. For the quickest hedge space plants 2 feet apart, and if you have a wider space plant a double row, with the rows 3 feet apart and the plants 3 feet apart, but staggered in the spaces of the other row. Your final hedge will be no more than 6 feet wide, and it will be a solid, impenetrable screen that cuts traffic noise, gives absolute privacy, and tames the strongest winds. Even in a single row it does all these things, quicker and better than any other arborvitae can do. When planting, set your plants 3 feet back from property boundaries, or other obstructions.

Grow this great new plant as a conventional hedge, but don’t forget its value as a garden accent, grown alone or in clusters of 3, 5 or even 7 plants, out on lawn or in shrub beds. Plant it around your home in the bare angles between walls, and remember that arborvitae doesn’t have the foundation-damaging roots of most deciduous trees, so it can be planted close to walls with confidence.

Hardiness

Because it is a variety of the native eastern white cedar, the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae is incredibly cold resistant, growing undamaged in zone 3, and right into zone 7. It is suited for the northeast – there are other fast-growing evergreens more suitable for hotter areas in the southeast. It will also grow well in the northwest, where the seasons are mild and rain is plentiful.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

It’s best to plant your Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae in full sun if you want maximum growth and density, but it will also be happy with a few hours of shade each day – unlike other evergreens – and in zone 7 afternoon shade is fine. Avoid planting in areas with limited sun, as growth will be weak and lack density.

It grows well in most soils, including acidic or alkaline soils, and is happy in clay soils too. Don’t plant it in hot, dry, sandy soils as this is a moisture-loving plant that is even happy in wet areas and places that might flood for short periods. If you are looking for hedges for dry areas, take a look at our wide-selection of Junipers, renowned for their drought tolerance.

Maintenance and Pruning

Prepare the planting area with some deep digging and mix in some rich compost or other organic materials If you want to see just how fast the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae can grow, start feeding it every month with liquid evergreen fertilizer, from spring right to the early part of fall. Avoid feeding late into fall, especially in cold zones, as new growth may brown during the winter. Water regularly too, and this combination of liquid fertilizer and water will give you growth you won’t believe. Remember that during the first season your plants will be establishing roots, so stem growth will not be at its maximum. ‘Full speed’ starts in the second season. Once established, switch to one spring application of slow-release granular fertilizer for on-going good health. Light trimming of the sides will give you the densest hedge, but you only need to do this once or twice a year. Always trim so that the bottom is wider than upper growth, so that you keep a dense hedge right to the ground. Wait in spring for the new growth to darken in color before trimming.

As for pests, don’t worry, this selected native tree is not eaten by deer, and it almost never suffers from any significant pests or diseases, especially if well-watered and growing in good soil.

History and Origin of the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae

The unusual name of this plant comes from ‘arbor-vitae’, meaning ‘tree of life’. The early French explorer Jacques Cartier gave it this name when he brought it back to France in the 16th century because native Americans had saved the lives of his men by giving them a tea made from this plant. It saved them from scurvy, and has more Vitamin C than orange juice. Botanists call it Thuja occidentalis, and it grows from eastern and central Canada down through the eastern states, usually growing wild along the edges of wet-lands and swampy areas. It can be found in Ohio and Illinois all the way to higher altitudes in North Carolina.

Officially known as ‘American Pillar’, this tree was discovered by John Houser at his nursery in Cherokee country, Georgia, growing among a crop of 500 plants of the variety ‘Hetz Wintergreen’. That original plant, from a tiny cutting, grew to 21 feet tall and 3 feet wide in just 6 seasons. Recognizing its potential, John patented it in 2009 – the year of his 80th birthday. He and his wife Mavis renamed their nursery American Pillar Nursery and specialized in this fabulous new plant. It was soon taken up by Spring Meadow Nursery of Michigan, and released by them in their Proven Winners® collection with the registered trademark of Full Speed A Hedge®.

Buying the Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae at The Tree Center

The Full Speed A Hedge® Arborvitae is a real breakthrough in creating screens and hedges faster than anyone thought possible – not thin, spindly hedges but dense, thick hedges, in just a few years. Hedges that won’t engulf your garden but give you the privacy and weather protection you need for the perfect garden of your dreams. Order your plants now – orders are coming in even faster than this plant grows, so our stock will soon all be gone.

Growing Thuja Junior Giant

Size and Appearance

Growing the Thuja Junior Giant is a rewarding journey in landscaping, offering ease and elegance to your outdoor haven. This coniferous evergreen tree features a slower, denser growth habit compared to its towering parent, the Green Giant, making it a perfect choice for smaller yards. Reaching a mature height of 15 to 20 feet with a pyramidal form, the Junior Giant boasts a well-defined structure that adds sophistication to any garden. The feathery foliage, characterized by smaller, dark green leaves, emits a delightful evergreen scent when touched. Thriving in zones 5-8, this tree prefers well-drained soils and full sun for optimal growth. Minimal pruning is required, and any necessary trimming should be done in spring, allowing the Junior Giant to flourish with its natural charm, creating a picturesque presence in your landscape.

Using Thuja Junior Giant In Your Garden

For an efficient and lush privacy screen, strategically planting Junior Giant Arborvitaes is your key to swift results. To expedite the creation of a verdant barrier around your home or property, space the trees approximately 8 feet apart from each other. This close arrangement ensures a quick and effective privacy solution. However, if patience is on your side, extending the gap to 10 to 12 feet will still yield privacy, albeit at a more measured pace. The Junior Giant’s robust root system makes it an excellent candidate for windbreaks, withstanding even the fiercest winter gusts. In addition to privacy, these trees serve as effective sound buffers, dampening noise from bustling streets or boisterous neighbors. When planting for windbreaks or sound barriers, consider the tree’s pyramidal growth pattern, allowing ample space for symmetrical expansion. Optimal results are achieved by planting in a staggered row, with a second row positioned 6 to 8 feet in front of the first, bridging the gaps between plants for an almost instant shield from unwanted noise or wind intrusion.

Soil Conditions

Thuja Junior Giant Arborvitaes flourish when planted in well-drained soils that strike a balance between moisture and aeration. These adaptable trees can tolerate a wide range of soil types but thrive best in soils with good drainage. While they are relatively adaptable to varying pH levels, providing a slightly acidic to neutral soil environment is preferable. Aim for a pH range between 6.0 and 7.0 for optimal growth. Additionally, incorporating organic matter into the soil during planting aids in moisture retention and promotes a healthy root system. Ensuring proper soil conditions is a fundamental step in nurturing these evergreens to their full potential, contributing to their longevity and vitality throughout the seasons.

Maintenance and Pruning

Maintaining your Thuja Junior Giant Arborvitaes is a breeze, making them an ideal addition to any landscape. These trees boast a naturally pyramidal form, requiring minimal pruning to preserve their shape. For optimal performance, prune sparingly in early spring after the first flush of new growth. Remove any damaged or dead branches to encourage a tidy appearance. Thanks to their slow growth rate and compact size, Junior Giants seldom demand extensive pruning, providing a hassle-free experience for homeowners. Regular watering during dry spells, especially in the first year, contributes to their overall health. With straightforward maintenance needs, these evergreens effortlessly bring beauty and structure to your outdoor space year-round.

History and Origins of the Thuja Junior Giant

Thuja Junior Giant, a remarkable coniferous evergreen, is a scaled-down version of its popular parent, the Thuja Green Giant. Developed as a more compact alternative, ‘Junior Giant’ retains the favorable qualities of its predecessor while offering a smaller footprint for diverse landscaping needs. The Thuja genus, commonly known as arborvitae, originates from North America and East Asia. Renowned for its adaptability and hardiness, the Thuja Green Giant, and subsequently the Junior Giant, became prominent choices for privacy screens, windbreaks, and ornamental plantings. Developed by horticultural experts, ‘Junior Giant’ stands as a testament to continuous refinement and innovation in the world of landscaping, providing homeowners with an excellent choice for greenery that adds aesthetic appeal and functionality to their outdoor spaces.

Buying Thuja Junior Giant at The Tree Center

Elevate your garden game with our Thuja Junior Giant from The Tree Center. It’s not just a tree; it’s a green solution for your privacy needs. Tired of lackluster landscapes? This pint-sized evergreen stands tall and proud, offering lush greenery and low-maintenance charm. Say goodbye to nosy neighbors and hello to a flourishing garden. Join the ranks of satisfied garden enthusiasts who’ve embraced the magic of Junior Giant Arborvitae. It’s not just a tree; it’s a green revolution, available now at The Tree Center. Upgrade your garden experience!

Growing the Black American Arborvitae

Size and Appearance

The Black American Arborvitae is a selected form of the white cedar or eastern arborvitae, and it grows at a moderate rate into a slender pyramidal tree rising 20 feet or more into the air and spreading only 5 to 10 feet wide. It will be about 6 feet tall within 10 years. Regular trimming will keep it much smaller, if you need that, and you can maintain it as a hedge as short as 5 or 6 feet for many years. The tiny leaves are like green scales, clinging tightly to the thin stems in flattened sprays, which grow off the thicker branches. These sprays of lush green live for several years, until hidden by new growth and dropping to the ground inside the tree, forming a natural mulch. Older trees may produce clusters of small, pea-shaped cones that are green and then turn brown in winter. Trimmed plants rarely produce cones. The branches remain green to the ground for many years, but untrimmed plants will eventually become more tree-like, with a strong central trunk covered with an attractive, red-brown, peeling bark.

Using the Black American Arborvitae in Your Garden

For a wall of rich dark green, this arborvitae is unbeatable. Plant it as a hedge or screen that will always be rich and lush. Grow it as a specimen on a lawn – alone or in a cluster of 3 or 5 plants – for a striking, bold effect. Grow it in the space between windows around your home or plant a pair to frame a door or gateway. Use it as an accent among shrubs in your borders, or to add height and emphasis to a planting of mixed evergreens. It also looks great in planters and large tubs, as specimens on a terrace, or to give a little privacy in a city garden.

Hardiness

The Black American Arborvitae is amazingly hardy, growing well in zone 3, with winter lows of minus 40. It also grows well in all the warm zones, but not in hot zones 8 and 9, where there are other evergreens that are more suitable. It will survive outdoors in above-ground pots and planters in zone 4.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

The Black American Arborvitae grows well in full sun, and unlike many other conifer evergreens it also tolerates a little partial shade, as long as it has sun for most of the day. Afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter areas, but too much will cause weak, open growth. This easy-care plant grows in almost all garden soils, acid or alkaline, and in clays too. It should not be planted in dry sands, unless there is regular watering available. This plant is one of the few conifer evergreens that grows well in wet soil, so it is ideal for low-lying and damp spots, and for planting alongside streams, ponds and lakes. It even tolerates periodic flooding.

Maintenance and Pruning

Pests and diseases are rare, and mostly caused by growing in very dry conditions. Water new plants regularly until they are well-established. Fertilize with an evergreen fertilizer in spring and again in early summer, especially if you are trimming your plants frequently. Trim as needed from late spring to early fall – the more you trim the denser and more solid your plants will be. Always trim so that the bottom of the bush or hedge is a little wider than the top, to keep the branches green right to the ground. Do not cut back to bare stems, which cannot re-sprout – there must be some green leaves left for regrowth to be possible. For trimmed hedges, space plants 3 feet apart in a row. For untrimmed screening, space 5 to 8 feet apart, depending on how dense you want it to be. For attractive natural clusters in the corners of your yard, or as features, use an uneven number of plants, and space irregularly, between 5 and 8 feet apart to preserve the individual identity of each tree.

History and Origin of the Black American Arborvitae

The eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, is also called American arborvitae and white cedar. It was called ‘arbor-vitae’, which means ‘tree of Life’, after the French explorer Jacques Cartier saw men on his expedition saved from scurvy with a tea given them by native Americans. He took plants back from what was then called New France for the King’s gardens. The foliage of arborvitae has more vitamin C than oranges. This tree grows wild in eastern and central Canada, and down into Illinois, Ohio, New York and in mountain areas to North Carolina. It is often found near water and in swamps and wet-lands. The Black American Arborvitae is a variety called ‘Nigra’, an older, well-established selection of this tree. We don’t know exactly where it came from, but it was first mentioned in a book on conifers written in 1933 by the American botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey, so it probably originated in an American nursery, most likely as a unique seedling tree.

Buying the Black American Arborvitae at The Tree Center

There are many cheap plants of arborvitae available, but they are usually grown from seed, which produces mixed plants with uncertain characteristics. They certainly won’t be the rich, reliable color of the Black American Arborvitae, so why settle for second-rate? This reliable variety is always in high demand, and our stock will soon be gone. Order now and put the days of yellowing plants behind you.

Growing the Tom Thumb Arborvitae

Size and Appearance

The Tom Thumb Arborvitae is a dense, rounded evergreen shrub that has many compact branches rising from the base, naturally making a ball-shaped plant that will grow no more than 2 or 3 feet tall and wide. The foliage is arranged in compact fans of slender branches, covered with tiny green leaves like flat scales, that cling to the stems, making them look completely green. These fans of green live for several years, and only die when they have become hidden by new growth, so you see green all year round. Other arborvitae shrubs can turn bronze or brown in winter, but the Tom Thumb Arborvitae stays green and fresh, even during the coldest winters. These fans of foliage lie on top of each other, keeping this plant naturally-dense and lush. You won’t have to worry about seeing an open, brown center on your evergreens – its natural density keeps it solid, with no gaps or unsightly holes. You get all-year solid green with this little guy – what a relief.

Using the Tom Thumb Arborvitae in Your Garden

When organizing the plants in your beds it is best to have a range of heights from front to back. Use the Tom Thumb Arborvitae to create a foreground to the foundation planting around your home, scaling down the plants from large to small – it’s what gives your beds that ‘designer look’. Use it at the corners of beds in particular – at every corner for a formal look, just at some for a more relaxed garden feel. Grow it alone in the smallest gardens – it never grows too big – or cluster it in groups of 3 or 5 for perfect effect. In smaller beds you can use it among other evergreens or with flowering shrubs, it never looks out of place. It is also perfect for planters and pots, especially where you want that ‘globe look’, but where other globe plants like boxwood won’t grow because of winter cold.

Hardiness

Despite its small size, the Tom Thumb Arborvitae is incredibly hardy, growing easily, without winter burn, in zone 4, and all the way to zone 8 or even zone 9 if your summers are not too hot and humid. For plants in pots we suggest a limit of zone 5 to 6.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Full sun will keep the Tom Thumb Arborvitae compact and green, but it will also grow well with a couple of hours of shade each day. Don’t plant in lots of shade, or it will become thin and more open. It grows easily in just about any soil, including wetter soils, alkaline soils and urban conditions. Don’t plant in very sandy, dry soils, as this plant is not particularly drought tolerant, although once established it can handle a bit of dryness in summer.

Maintenance and Pruning

We don’t usually see any pests or diseases on this plant, but deer do like to eat it. It doesn’t need trimming, but if you love super-neat, go ahead and trim it into the densest and most precise green globe you have seen – it looks great. Trim from late spring, once the new growth has toughened up a bit, until early fall. Late trimming can push new growth that then burns in winter. Remember to soak the ground shortly before freeze-up, to protect from winter burn.

History and Origin of the Tom Thumb Arborvitae

The variety called ‘Tom Thumb’ is a selected form of the eastern arborvitae or white cedar, Thuja occidentalis. This native tree grows naturally throughout the northeast and up into Canada, usually around the edges of forests, in low-lying areas and around wetlands. We don’t know the origin of this variety, which is similar to, but more compact, than several other forms that grow into round balls, rather than upright bushes.

Buying the Tom Thumb Arborvitae at the Tree Center

If you are looking for round and compact green, here it is. These top-quality plants stay neat and round, but they don’t stay around the farm. Order now – the demand is high but the supply is low.

Growing the Amber Gold Arborvitae

Size and Appearance

The Amber Gold Arborvitae is a slender, upright evergreen with very dense branches arranged in vertical fans. It grows 9 to 12 inches a year, becoming 10 to 15 feet tall within 10 years, and staying about 3 feet wide. As it continues to grow it could reach 20 feet, and add a foot or two in width, if not trimmed. The tiny leaves are flat scales that cling to the smaller branches, covering them entirely. Those small branches are arranged in dense, spreading fans, which are held mostly vertically. This keeps the growth dense and compact, and also completely hides the interior branches of the plant, right to ground level. It develops a slender conical form, wider at the base. The leaves in spring are bright golden yellow, making a bold garden statement. Over summer and into fall the color slowly darkens, becoming more dusky orange through the winter – a true amber gold. New growth in spring brings back the vibrant yellow tones.

Using the Amber Gold Arborvitae in Your Garden

Golden evergreens make wonderful accent specimens in the garden, in shrub beds, as part of your foundation planting, mixed with other colorful conifers, or in a planter. Use this beautiful bush alone or in clusters of 3 or 5, or make a colorful hedge by spacing them 3 feet apart. Plant a pair either side of your door, or to frame a gate.

Hardiness

This is certainly one of the most cold-resistant golden evergreens, growing easily in zone 4, and all the way into zone 8. In cold zones, soak the root-zone deeply before the ground freezes for winter, and mulch around it, avoiding the foliage.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

Full sun is best for the Amber Gold Arborvitae, but it will take a little shade if necessary. Too much shade will turn it greener, and make the growth more open and loose. It grows well in all soils, both acid and alkaline, preferring richer, moist soils, so add plenty of organic material when planting, and use it as mulch too. Once established it is moderately drought tolerant.

Maintenance and Pruning

Pests and diseases are rare in this plant, but deer will eat it if they can. It grows so densely it doesn’t need trimming to look good, but if you want you can trim between late spring and early fall.

History and Origin of the Amber Gold Arborvitae

The tree that botanists call Thuja occidentalis is known as white cedar or American arborvitae. That name comes from the Latin arbor vitae, meaning ‘Tree of Life’. It got this unusual name because Native Americans showed early French explorers in Canada how to make a tea from it we now know is full of Vitamin C, saving the explorers from fatal attacks of scurvy. It was taken back to France as a miracle plant, and grown in the King’s gardens. This tree grows wild through eastern Canada and the northeastern states, and it is widely used in cold zones for hedges and specimens. Back in 1950 at a nursery in Denmark called D.T. Poulsen, an unusual seedling was spotted, that stayed green all winter. It was named ‘Smaragd’, and, when it arrived in America, given the name Emerald Green, which is what Smaragd means. This is by far the best hedging and specimen evergreen for colder zones, with moderate growth.

In 2000 Jacub Jablonski was working in his nursery in Lysomice, Poland, growing some plants of ‘Smaragd’. He spotted one branch that had bright yellow foliage – a ‘branch sport’ as these novel growths are called. He took pieces and grew new plants, which besides their color also had unusually-dense growth. These plants were grown for several years to evaluate their worth, and then Jacub and the Dutch group Breederplants Inc., of Reeuwijk, patented it with the name ‘Jantar’. That means ‘Amber’ in Polish, so when the conifer specialists Iseli Nursery, in Boring, Oregon, introduced it in America it was given the name Amber Gold Arborvitae.

Buying the Amber Gold Arborvitae at the Tree Center

We love this great new plant, which fills an important need for lovers of golden evergreens who live in colder zones – it’s perfect for them. Even in warmer places the unique winter coloring makes this plant a winner, so order now, because it won’t be available for long.

Growing the Dark Green Arborvitae

Size and Appearance

The Dark Green Arborvitae is a selected form of the white cedar or eastern arborvitae, and it grows at a moderate rate into a slender pyramidal tree rising 20 to 30 feet into the air and spreading only 5 to 10 feet wide. Regular trimming will keep it much smaller, if you need that, and you can maintain it as a hedge as short as 5 or 6 feet for many years. The tiny leaves are like green scales, clinging tightly to the thin stems in flattened sprays, which grow off the thicker branches. These sprays of lush green live for several years, until hidden by new growth and dropping to the ground inside the tree, forming a natural mulch. Older trees may produce clusters of small, pea-shaped cones that are green and then turn brown in winter. Trimmed plants rarely produce cones. The branches remain green to the ground for many years, but untrimmed plants will eventually become more tree-like, with a strong central trunk covered with an attractive, red-brown, peeling bark.

Using the Dark Green Arborvitae in Your Garden

For a wall of rich dark green, this arborvitae is unbeatable. Plant it as a hedge or screen that will always be rich and lush. Grow it as a specimen on a lawn – alone or in a cluster of 3 or 5 plants – for a striking, bold effect. Grow it in the space between windows around your home or plant a pair to frame a door or gateway. Use it as an accent among shrubs in your borders, or to add height and emphasis to a planting of mixed evergreens. It also looks great in planters and large tubs, as specimens on a terrace, or to give a little privacy in a city garden.

Hardiness

The Dark Green Arborvitae is amazingly hardy, growing well in zone 3, with winter lows of minus 40. It also grows well in all the warm zones, but not in hot zones 8 and 9, where there are other evergreens that are more suitable. It will survive outdoors in above-ground pots and planters in zone 4.

Sun Exposure and Soil Conditions

The Dark Green Arborvitae grows well in full sun, and unlike many other conifer evergreens it also tolerates a little partial shade, as long as it has sun for most of the day. Afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter areas, but too much will cause weak, open growth. This easy-care plant grows in almost all garden soils, acid or alkaline, and in clays too. It should not be planted in dry sands, unless there is regular watering available. This plant is one of the few conifer evergreens that grows well in wet soil, so it is ideal for low-lying and damp spots, and for planting alongside streams, ponds and lakes. It even tolerates periodic flooding.

Maintenance and Pruning

Pests and diseases are rare, and mostly caused by growing in very dry conditions. Water new plants regularly until they are well-established. Fertilize with an evergreen fertilizer in spring and again in early summer, especially if you are trimming your plants frequently. Trim as needed from late spring to early fall – the more you trim the denser and more solid your plants will be. Always trim so that the bottom of the bush or hedge is a little wider than the top, to keep the branches green right to the ground. Do not cut back to bare stems, which cannot re-sprout – there must be some green leaves left for regrowth to be possible. For trimmed hedges, space plants 3 feet apart in a row. For untrimmed screening, space 5 to 8 feet apart, depending on how dense you want it to be. For attractive natural clusters in the corners of your yard, or as features, use an uneven number of plants, and space irregularly, between 5 and 8 feet apart to preserve the individual identity of each tree.

History and Origin of the Dark Green Arborvitae

The eastern arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, is also called American arborvitae and white cedar. It was called ‘arbor-vitae’, which means ‘tree of Life’, after the French explorer Jacques Cartier saw men on his expedition saved from scurvy with a tea given them by native Americans. He took plants back from what was then called New France for the King’s gardens. The foliage of arborvitae has more vitamin C than oranges. This tree grows wild in eastern and central Canada, and down into Illinois, Ohio, New York and in mountain areas to North Carolina. It is often found near water and in swamps and wet-lands. The variety called ‘Nigra’ is an older, well-established selection of this tree. We don’t know exactly where it came from, but it was first mentioned in a book on conifers written in 1933 by the American botanist Liberty Hyde Bailey, so it probably originated in an American nursery, most likely as a unique seedling tree.

Buying the Dark Green Arborvitae at The Tree Center

There are many cheap plants of arborvitae available, but they are usually grown from seed, which produces mixed plants with uncertain characteristics. They certainly won’t be the rich, reliable color of the Dark Green Arborvitae, so why settle for second-rate? This reliable variety is always in high demand, and our stock will soon be gone. Order now and put the days of yellowing plants behind you.