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12 Stunning Arborvitae Varieties You Need In Your Yard

Arborvitae are versatile evergreen trees and shrubs that deserve a spot in every yard and garden. With hundreds of cultivars to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the perfect arborvitae for your needs. We've narrowed it down to 12 of the most stunning arborvitae varieties to inspire your landscape.

From towering privacy screens to delicate golden accents, these arborvitae showcase the diversity of shapes, textures, and colors found in this botanical group. Read on to discover new arborvitae to add striking architecture and year-round interest to your property.

different types of arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae

With its narrow pyramidal habit and rich green foliage, it's easy to see why Emerald Green arborvitae is a go-to choice for landscapers and homeowners. This variety reaches 15-25 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide at maturity, making it ideal for tall screening and hedge applications. It maintains its green color through winter.

Emerald Green arborvitae thrives in full sun and adapts well to various soil types. It's also deer resistant. Use Emerald Green arborvitae singly or in rows to create living walls. This variety also works well in no-fuss foundation plantings.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Techny Arborvitae

Techny arborvitae is prized for its versatility and toughness. This fast growing evergreen has dense dark green foliage and maintains its rich color through winter. The foliage takes on a soft, feathery appearance with its flattened sprays of scales.

With its tolerance for heat, humidity, and pollution, Techny arborvitae thrives in difficult conditions where other arborvitae struggle. It reaches 10-15 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide, making it an ideal choice for privacy screening and hedges. It also takes well to shearing.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Green Giant Arborvitae

If you're looking for a fast-growing evergreen to quickly provide tall screening, look no further than Green Giant arborvitae. Uniquely suited to the western United States, this hybrid grows up to 3 feet per year until maturity.

Green Giant arborvitae ultimately reaches 60 feet tall and 15-20 feet wide. While it prefers full sun, it is more flexible than other arborvitae and can tolerate light shade. Use it for privacy and wind screening or as a specimen planting. It also works well when replacing damaged trees.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Rheingold Arborvitae

For a pop of golden color, look to Rheingold arborvitae. The foliage emerges a fiery orange-gold before mellowing to bright yellow over summer. In winter, the foliage transitions to a peach-gold. This color holds well throughout the seasons.

Rheingold arborvitae has a rounded, globular form that reaches 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. It grows well in full sun but also tolerates partial shade. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent root rot. Use this petite variety to add a punch of golden color to rock gardens, mixed beds, and more.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Holmstrup Arborvitae

Holmstrup arborvitae is prized for its versatility and handsome form. This arborvitae has rich green flat sprays of foliage covering dense inner branches. The result is a lush irregular pyramidal shape.

A slow grower, Holmstrup arborvitae reaches 8-10 feet tall with a spread of 3-5 feet wide at maturity. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soils. Use this arborvitae singly or in hedgerows. It also looks stunning mixed into perennial and shrub beds.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Sky High Arborvitae

As the name suggests, Sky High arborvitae rockets upwards with its very narrow, columnar form. Soft blue-green foliage covers its stiffly upright branching, which gives this arborvitae an almost regimental feel.

Reaching 15 feet tall but only 2 feet wide at maturity, Sky High arborvitae is ideal for tight screening needs and urban yards. It prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Use it for allees, living fences, and other tight plantings.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae

Mr. Bowling Ball arborvitae's rich green foliage covers dense inner branching to form a perfect globe shape. This dwarf variety grows slowly, reaching 3-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its mounded form works beautifully in the mixed perennial and rock garden.

Mr. Bowling Ball arborvitae performs well in full sun to partial shade. Its soft texture also makes it ideal for detail use along paths or entryways. Try using it in place of boxwoods for a more unique look.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Fire Chief Arborvitae

If you're looking to spice up your arborvitae selection, take a closer look at Fire Chief. New growth appears in dazzling red-orange tones before maturing to green. The new growth stands out against the darker green interior foliage.

Fire Chief arborvitae reaches 6-10 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide at maturity. For best color, plant it in full sun and well-drained moist soil. Use Fire Chief singly or grouped to add pops of color. It also shines brightly in hedges.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Golden Tuffet Arborvitae

Golden Tuffet arborvitae brightens up garden beds and foundation plantings with its vibrant golden foliage. Unlike Rheingold arborvitae, it grows in a loose, mounded form that reaches 4-6 feet tall and 5-6 feet wide at maturity.

Golden Tuffet performs well in full sun to partial shade. Provide well-drained soil and avoid excessive moisture. Use this arborvitae in mass plantings or as an eye-catching foundation or border planting.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Woodwardii Arborvitae

Woodwardii arborvitae is prized for its dwarf stature and spheroidal form. The fans of rich green foliage create a delicate orb shape. This compact variety reaches 2-4 feet tall and wide at maturity. Its slow growth makes it perfect for detail plantings.

Woodwardii performs well in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Use it to add intrigue along pathways, in place of boxwoods, or intermingled with perennials and shrubs. It also looks lovely alone in containers.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Carlesii Arborvitae

The layered branches and fan-shaped sprays of soft foliage give Carlesii arborvitae an artistic look. This variety also stands out for its incredible fragrance when crushed or brushed against. Mature size reaches 15-20 feet tall and 8-12 feet wide.

Carlesii performs well in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Use this eye-catching arborvitae as a focal point or dotted throughout perennial beds and shrub plantings. It also works well planted in allees.

Growing Conditions

Size

Uses

Smaragd Arborvitae

Covered in the Emerald Green Arborvitae section.

With their diversity of color, texture, and form, arborvitae are ideal for creating stunning architecture in your yard. Use arborvitae as living walls, petite accents, fragrant specimens, and more. Blend different varieties together for added interest.

Choose arborvitae varieties suited to your growing conditions for healthy, long-lived trees and shrubs. Proper planting, watering, and occasional pruning or shearing will keep them looking their best. Our top 12 picks provide inspiration to get creative with arborvitae in your own yard.

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