About
A very slow-growing conifer, eventually up to 60cm high and 80cm wide, with juvenile foliage which is green in the centre of the plant but mostly golden orange, yellow-edged in summer, and bronzed in winter.
About the genus
Thuja are fast-growing evergreen trees of narrowly conical habit, with flat sprays of tiny, aromatic, scale-like leaves and small knobbly cones
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeConifers
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Rock garden
FragranceFoliage
ToxicityHarmful if eaten, skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Care notes
CultivationGrow in moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade, and protect from drying winds
PruningLittle or no pruning required: Pruning group 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects and conifer aphid
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus and other fungal diseases, particularly thuja blight and Coryneum canker (see conifers: brown patches)