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Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

At Heijnen Plants, we take pride in offering the Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', a distinguished cultivar of the white cedar, renowned for its dense, conical form and rich green foliage that retains its color throughout the seasons. This outstanding conifer, which does not flower, is a splendid choice for creating a lush, evergreen hedge that provides both privacy and a backdrop of enduring beauty in any garden setting. With its ease of maintenance and elegant appearance, the Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens' exemplifies the commitment to quality and aesthetic appeal that is the hallmark of our family-owned cultivation.

Winter hardiness
Very winter hardy

Pruning
Twice a year

Growth rate
30-50 cm per year

Visual barrier
Quickly obscuring

Position
Shade, partial shade, sun

Maintenance
Low maintenance

2+ £14.90

50+ £14.15

100+ £13.75

200+ £13.40

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
60-80

Planting distance per meter
3

13.40

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £15.85

50+ £15.05

100+ £14.65

200+ £14.25

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
80-100

Planting distance per meter
3

14.25

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £20.50

50+ £19.45

100+ £18.95

200+ £18.45

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
100-125

Planting distance per meter
2,5

18.45

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £28.90

25+ £27.45

50+ £26.75

100+ £26.05

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
125-150

Planting distance per meter
2,5

26.05

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £43.35

25+ £41.15

50+ £40.10

100+ £39.00

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
150-175

Planting distance per meter
2

39.00

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

2+ £56.35

25+ £53.50

50+ £52.10

100+ £50.70

Height at time of delivery excluding pot/clod
175-200

Planting distance per meter
2

50.70

per piece

incl. VAT, excl. shipping costs (calculated in shopping cart)

Added to shopping cart

Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', commonly known as White Cedar, is a robust conifer that provides a lush green presence in the landscape throughout the year. Its dense foliage and stately form make it an excellent choice for creating a living privacy screen or for standing as a solitary specimen, adding structure and elegance to the garden.

This particular cultivar is cherished for its resilience and adaptability, flourishing in a range of soil types and weather conditions. The 'Atrovirens' is known not only for its visual appeal but also for its ability to create a quickly obscuring barrier, making it an asset for any garden design requiring privacy or wind protection.

Key Features

The 'Atrovirens' cultivar boasts a collection of attributes that make it a desirable choice for gardeners and landscapers alike:

The evergreen nature of this Thuja guarantees a year-round display of vibrant green foliage, contributing to the aesthetic continuity of your garden.
With an impressive growth rate of 30-50 centimeters per year, the plant reaches its desired height swiftly, ensuring a quickly obscuring hedge or focal point in a relatively short amount of time.
This cultivar is winter hardy and can endure temperatures as low as -23.3°C (USDA zone 6a), making it a resilient choice for a variety of climates.
It requires little maintenance, thriving in full sun to partial shade, and is suited for all well-drained soil types.
Despite its fast growth, the 'Atrovirens' needs pruning only twice a year to maintain its shape and density, which is less often compared to many other hedge varieties.

Tips

To ensure the best growth and health for your Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', plant it in a location that receives adequate sunlight but can also tolerate shade.
While the 'Atrovirens' is low-maintenance, providing the plant with sufficient water during its establishment period and in times of drought will ensure its longevity and vitality.
When pruning, strive to maintain a natural pyramidal shape, which is characteristic of this species, by trimming less as you move up the plant. This practice encourages dense growth and results in a more attractive hedge.
While the 'Atrovirens' does not require extensive pruning, it responds well to trimming should you wish to shape it or control its size. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring before the onset of new growth.

Ideal placement of a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

For optimal growth, Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', also known as > Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens', requires a well-drained location, though it is adaptable to a variety of soil types. This versatile plant can flourish in full sun to shade, making it a flexible choice for gardeners seeking a quickly obscuring hedge or a stately solitary specimen. With its evergreen foliage providing year-round greenery, it's important to choose a position where the plant can establish without being subjected to prolonged dry conditions, as it is not drought-resistant. Properly acclimating this species to its environment will ensure robust growth and hardiness, even in USDA zone 6a.

Planting a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

When planting Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', it is vital to ensure the plant's root ball is adequately moistened before placing it into the ground. Choose a location that can be in shade, partial shade, or sun, as this species is adaptable to varying light conditions. The soil should be well-drained to promote healthy root growth. Once planted, water the plant thoroughly to settle the surrounding earth and eliminate any air pockets. Given its impressive winter hardiness, tolerating temperatures down to -20.6°C (-6°F), USDA zone 6a, this evergreen can be a robust, year-round green presence in your landscape.

Pruning a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

Regular pruning is not necessary for Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', as it naturally maintains a dense growth habit. However, to promote a more uniform shape or to fit a specific landscape design, pruning may be done twice annually. The best times to prune are in the spring before new growth starts or in late summer, avoiding the hottest days. When trimming, ensure cuts are made just above a set of foliage to encourage lush, healthy regrowth, and shape the hedge so that the base is wider than the top for optimal sunlight exposure.

Watering a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

For optimal growth and health, Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens' requires consistent moisture, particularly when establishing a red cedar hedge. Water the root ball deeply to encourage deep root development. During the first growing season, it's vital to maintain a regular watering schedule, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. This species is not drought-resistant, so during periods of low rainfall, additional irrigation will be necessary to prevent stress. In winter, reduce the frequency of watering as the plant's growth slows and the evaporation rate decreases.

Fertilising a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

For the robust growth and maintenance of Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens', fertilization should be approached thoughtfully. This species thrives with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring, which will support its development throughout the growing season. Due to its evergreen nature and steady growth rate of 30-50 cm per year, consistent nutrient availability is crucial.

It is important to note that even though Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens' and Thuja plicata are often used interchangeably in landscaping for hedging purposes, their fertilization needs may differ slightly. Always ensure that the fertilizer is distributed evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding direct contact with the foliage or stem. Water thoroughly after application to help the soil absorb the nutrients, which is especially vital if the plant is not drought-resistant. Regular feeding will sustain the plant's vibrant green foliage throughout all seasons.

The characteristics of a Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens' provides a dense evergreen screen year-round, making it an excellent choice for a western red cedar hedge. Its resilient root ball ensures a robust foundation for growth, allowing it to thrive in a variety of soil conditions. Regular watering and mulching retain soil moisture and provide a stable environment for root development, ensuring your hedge remains lush and vibrant.

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