Smaragd western arborvitae plants

Western arborvitae 'Smaragd' Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' is a conifer with a narrow conical, dense, compact and symmetrical crown. Height reaches 5 m and crown diameter 1.8 m. Evergreen scale-like foliage is glossy and dark emerald green. Rounded brown cones measure 0.7 cm. Slow-growing, adding 10 cm in height and 5 cm in width annually. Long-lived and easy to care for, it adapts to different climates, urban conditions and relatively poor soil. Suitable for specimen and group planting, hedges and containers. Choose a sheltered sunny site; growth and appearance are poorer in shade. If groundwater is high, provide 10–20 cm of gravel drainage. Winter hardiness is high, USDA zone 3. Strong spring sun can scorch foliage in some years, but recovery is quick in spring and summer. Shake off wet snow after snowfalls to protect the crown. Light soil is suitable; provide at least 15 cm of drainage in heavy soil. Prepare a hole matched to the root ball, 60–80 cm deep. Suggested mix: sand, peat and leaf or turf soil at 1:1:2, pH 4.5–6. The original instructions recommend up to 100 g of nitroammophoska per mature plant. Keep the root collar at ground level. After planting, one bucket of water per mature plant weekly is suggested, more often in hot dry weather. It 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. Protect young plants from spring sunscald. Tie the crown with tape in winter to prevent wet-snow damage and remove dry damaged shoots during spring sanitary pruning.