Platycladus orientalis, commonly known as oriental thuja, is an evergreen tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family. It typically has a conical, compact, and slow-growing habit, with small, scale-like leaves arranged in flat, vertical sprays. This cultivar thrives in full sun and can be grown in a variety of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, provided the soil is moist but well-drained. Hardy to UK zone H6, it is suitable as a specimen plant, in rockeries, or borders, and is especially notable for its winter interest.

Oriental thuja is a slow-growing evergreen with a compact conical shape, ideal for full sun borders and winter interest, hardy to RHS H6.

Platycladus orientalis

Platycladus is a monotypic genus of evergreen coniferous trees in the cypress family Cupressaceae, containing only one species, Platycladus orientalis, also known as Chinese thuja, Oriental arborvitae, Chinese arborvitae, biota or Oriental thuja. It is native to northeastern parts of East Asia and North Asia, but is also now naturalised as an introduced species in other regions of the Asian continent.

Platycladus orientalis 'Collen's Gold' is an evergreen conifer for full sun, hardy to H6, ideal as a specimen or in rockeries and borders in spring and summer.

Platycladus orientalis 'Collen's Gold'

Platycladus orientalis 'Elegantissima Aurea Nana' is a hardy evergreen conifer ideal for borders and rockeries, providing year-round interest in full sun.

Platycladus orientalis 'Elegantissima Aurea Nana'

Platycladus orientalis 'Filiformis Erecta' is an evergreen conifer hardy to H6, ideal as a specimen plant or for rockeries and borders in full sun.

Platycladus orientalis 'Filiformis Erecta'

Platycladus orientalis 'Golden Rocket' is a slow-growing, compact evergreen cultivar of the Platycladus genus, known for its conical habit in early years. It thrives in full sun and can be grown in a variety of soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, provided the soil is fertile and well-drained. Suitable for exposed or sheltered sites, it is hardy to UK zone H6 and is often used as a specimen plant, in rockeries, or borders. Interest is maintained through spring and summer with its distinctive foliage.

Platycladus orientalis 'Golden Rocket' is a slow-growing, compact evergreen with a conical habit, perfect for full sun rockeries and borders, hardy to H6.

Platycladus orientalis 'Golden Rocket'

Platycladus orientalis 'Green Cone' is an evergreen conifer thriving in full sun, ideal as a specimen or border plant, hardy to RHS H6.

Platycladus orientalis 'Green Cone'

Platycladus orientalis 'Madurodam' is a slow-growing, compact cultivar of the evergreen genus Platycladus, known for its conical habit in early years. It features small, scale-like leaves arranged in flat, vertical sprays and produces small, greyish cones with hooked scales. This cultivar thrives in full sun and is suitable for a range of soil types including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, preferring moist but well-drained conditions. Hardy to UK zone H6, it is well suited as a specimen plant, in rockeries, or borders, and is best grown in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or part shade.

Platycladus orientalis 'Madurodam' is a slow-growing, compact evergreen with a conical habit, ideal for borders and rockeries in full sun, hardy to H6.

Platycladus orientalis 'Madurodam'

Platycladus orientalis 'Sanderi' is a slow-growing, compact coniferous shrub or small tree within the Platycladus genus, known for its evergreen, scale-like leaves arranged in flat, vertical sprays. This cultivar maintains a conical habit and thrives in full sun, tolerating a range of soil types from chalk to clay, provided they are moist but well-drained. Suitable for use as a specimen plant, in rockeries, or borders, 'Sanderi' is hardy in the UK (H6) and can be propagated by seed or softwood cuttings. It is particularly notable in spring and summer.

Platycladus orientalis 'Sanderi' is a slow-growing, evergreen conifer with a compact, conical habit, ideal for borders and rockeries in full sun.