Description
Thuja occidentalis 'Atrovirens' 60-80 cm | White cedar
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.