Little Gem Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Little Gem'
Height: 3 feet
Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Other Names: Eastern White Cedar
Description:
A compact, mounded evergreen detail shrub, slow growing, ideal for general garden use, beautiful in groupings; hardy and adaptable, best with adequate sun, protect from drying winds
Ornamental Features
Little Gem Arborvitae is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has dark green evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage remain dark green throughout the winter.
Landscape Attributes
Little Gem Arborvitae is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Little Gem Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- Rock/Alpine Gardens
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Little Gem Arborvitae will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.
