Golden Globe arborvitae

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; foliage is brightest in sun, but light afternoon shade helps in hotter locations.

Water

Keep the root zone evenly moist, especially during establishment and dry summers; avoid both prolonged drought and waterlogged soil.

Soil

Moist, well-drained loam or clay loam; tolerates acidic to alkaline soil. Improve very sandy soil with organic matter.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Foliage

Evergreen. Dense sprays of scale-like leaves, golden yellow on exposed growth and green inside; winter colour may become bronze or coppery.

Growth

Slow, usually about 2-4 in (5-10 cm) a year once established.

Care needed

Low

• Cold hardy
• Wildlife

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   1.9 ft (0.59 m)

3. After 2 years

   2.2 ft (0.68 m)

4. After 3 years

   2.5 ft (0.76 m)

5. After 5 years

   3 ft (0.94 m)

About 8 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Toxic

Native to

the US and Canada

Growth rate

Slow

• Water deeply when the upper soil begins to dry during the first two growing seasons; continue watering established plants during drought.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk and lower foliage.
• Plant with the root flare at soil level, not buried beneath soil or mulch.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak or a soil test indicates a deficiency.
• Choose a site sheltered from drying winter winds and away from road-salt spray.

Pruning. Usually needs no pruning beyond removing dead or damaged shoots in late spring. If shaping is necessary, lightly trim green shoot tips in late spring or early summer; do not cut into bare old wood, which rarely regrows.

Early spring

Check for winter damage and gently release any branches caught beneath lingering snow.

Spring

Plant while the soil is workable and moist; water thoroughly and mulch.

Late spring

Remove dead shoots and lightly trim only if the outline needs correction.

Summer

Check soil moisture during dry spells and inspect browning foliage for mites or bagworms.

Autumn

Water during dry weather before the ground freezes and replenish mulch where needed.

Winter

Avoid piling shoveled snow against the shrub; gently brush off loose, heavy snow before branches bend.

• Repeat along a path or border to create a low, rounded evergreen rhythm without frequent clipping.
• Place against dark green conifers or hedges so its golden foliage stands out.
• Use in foundation beds where its compact size leaves windows clear.
• Combine with purple-leaved heucheras and bergenias for contrasting foliage colour and texture.
• Use as a small evergreen accent in formal beds, allowing enough room for its mature width.

Garden styles it suits: Formal, Traditional, English country, Low-maintenance, Winter interest and Small-space.

Plant it with: Coral bells, Bergenia, Daylilies, Hostas and Dwarf blue spruce.

Wildlife: Dense foliage provides shelter for small birds and invertebrates, though this compact cultivar offers less habitat than a full-sized tree. Deer readily browse arborvitae and can badly damage it.

• Drought and winter burn: exposed foliage browns when roots cannot replace lost moisture. Water during dry autumn weather, mulch and provide shelter from drying winds.
• Bagworms, especially in the United States: caterpillars feed within hanging bags and can strip foliage. Hand-pick bags before eggs hatch; treat young larvae with an appropriate locally approved product if necessary.
• Spider mites: fine stippling and dull, bronzed foliage develop in hot, dry conditions. Check affected sprays, rinse foliage with water and use a labelled horticultural treatment if infestation persists.
• Root rot in poorly drained soil: yellowing and dieback accompany persistently wet roots. Improve drainage or relocate to a suitable site; replace severely affected plants.

Treat the foliage, cones and especially the concentrated essential oil as potentially poisonous to people, cats, dogs and horses if swallowed. Ingestion can cause digestive upset, while substantial exposure or concentrated oil can cause serious poisoning. Sap or foliage may irritate sensitive skin; do not use it for homemade teas or remedies.

• Danica arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Danica')

  Also forms a compact globe, but its foliage is predominantly green rather than golden yellow.

• Fire Chief arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe')

  Has fine-textured golden foliage with more conspicuous orange-red tips, especially in cool weather.

• Golden Mop false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop')

  Has long, drooping, thread-like golden foliage rather than the short, flattened leafy sprays of Golden Globe.

Arborvitae means 'tree of life', occidentalis means 'western', and 'Golden Globe' describes this cultivar's golden foliage and rounded shape.

Propagation. Root semi-ripe cuttings with a small heel in late summer under humid conditions in a free-draining medium. Seedlings will not reliably retain the cultivar's golden colour and rounded habit.

Accepted botanical name

Thuja occidentalis

In the US and Canada

Native in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Masachusettes, Michigan, Minnesota, New Brunswick and New Hampshire.

Measured

Soil pH 5.2 to 7. Average height 1460 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.