Brabant western arborvitae plants

Western arborvitae 'Brabant' Thuja occidentalis 'Brabant' is a fast-growing evergreen with a compact columnar crown often extending to ground level. The crown is dense and conical when young, becoming looser with age. The description gives a local height of 3.5–4 m, reaching 15–20 m in southern latitudes. Annual growth is 30 cm in height and 10 cm in width. Green scale-like foliage retains its colour in winter. Small brown elongated-ovoid cones, 0.8–1.2 cm long, develop after spring flowering. Adapts to urban conditions and grows in sun or shade, but is more decorative in sun. Moisture-loving; tolerates brief dryness and temporary excess moisture. Prefers fertile, sufficiently moist loam. Frost-hardy, USDA zone 3; the original text also cautions about dry regions, temperatures below −30 to −35°C and prolonged thaws with temperature fluctuations. Suitable for specimen and group planting, avenues and hedges. Space plants 0.5–0.7 m apart in rows. Regular clipping maintains shape and height; pruning is well tolerated. Choose a sunny position and light soil. In heavy soil provide at least 15 cm of drainage. Prepare a hole suited to the root ball, 60–80 cm deep. Suggested mixture: sand, peat and leaf or turf soil at 1:1:2, with pH 4.5–6. The original instructions give up to 100 g of nitroammophoska per mature plant. Keep the root collar at ground level. After planting, the source recommends one bucket of water per mature plant weekly, more often in hot dry weather. Responds well to overhead watering. Spring compound fertiliser is specified at 50–60 g/m². Because roots are shallow, loosen no deeper than 10 cm and mulch with compost, peat or bark. In the first year, covering the above-ground plant and applying 5–10 cm of woodchip or peat mulch is recommended.