Emerald Green Arborvitae is a slow-growing evergreen conifer that naturally grows into a tall, narrow columnar shape.
It makes an excellent hedge due to its small footprint, lovely color, and low care needs. It is also very cold-hardy, making it suitable to grow in most parts of the USA.

Which size is right for you?

Tree Pot: Starts at $6.99 per plant, healthy roots,
lowest starting cost, ~7 year wait

1 Gallon: Starts at $18.99 per plant, easy size to
manage, low starting cost, ~5 year wait

InstantHedge: Starts at $480.99 per unit,
3-4’ or 5-6’ height, need 2 people to install, no wait

About Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae is an extremely popular tree for most parts of the United States. If you live between zones 3-8 you have almost undoubtedly seen these growing in many yards. Unfortunately, its common presence has begun to give it an unfairly-bestowed bad name. Many people will say “I want a hedge but NOT Arborvitae.” Part of this feeling may be due to the sheer multitude of these trees, but it could also be from seeing Arborvitae that have been mistreated or planted in bad locations, causing them to lose vigor or look downright ugly.

This is quite sad, as when given proper care and sited well, Emerald Green can form a truly stunning hedge with brilliant green color and unparalleled density. Here are a few reasons why Emerald Green Arborvitae might be the best option for your new hedge:

The semi-dwarf growth habit of Smaragd was one of its most desirable features when it was a seedling discovered in Denmark in 1950. At most, it will grow up to 1 foot per year, but usually averages 6-8” of upright growth per year. Its horizontal growth is even slower, increasing by about 1-2” per year outward. This slow growth rate makes pruning a breeze, and it is usually only required once per year or once every two years. It is best to prune Emerald Green lightly but consistently to prevent needing to prune harshly later on which may result in unsightly browning.

Another feature that made this seedling desirable was its columnar growth habit. They naturally grow into a narrow pillar without any pruning. After 10 years of growth, an Emerald Green
Arborvitae should reach about 8’ tall by 1.5’ wide. This makes them perfect for small gardens needing a hedge with a small footprint.

The most impressive feature of the seedling was the bright color of the foliage. “Smaragd”, the original Danish name, means “emerald”, referring to the rich, green hue of the feathery foliage. Unlike a lot of other Arborvitae, it maintains the vibrant green color even in winter, while other types may show some winter bronzing or browning.

Emerald Green is a selection of American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), which is native to the Northern United States and Canada. It is hardy down to USDA Zone 3, making it one of the most cold-hardy hedge options on the market.

Once established (2-3 years after planting), Emerald Green can tolerate drought very well. It can also tolerate some standing water in winter, but does much better in well-draining soil. Full sun is
preferred, but it can take some partial shade as well. It has no major disease issues but does need protection from deer.

Top Qualities of Emerald Green Arborvitae

• 1. Bright Green Color
• 2. Narrow Columnar Habit
• 3. Moderately Slow Growth Rate
• 4. Easy to Maintain
• 5. Incredible Density

The post Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ <span> Emerald Green Arborvitae </span> MiniHedgeXL appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

AMERICAN ARBORVITAE QUICK GUIDE

American arborvitae is tolerant to different soil types and resilient in an urban setting

The common name of arborvitae, or “tree of life”, comes from the early settlers in North America who learned from Native Americans that the tree’s foliage, sap, bark and twigs had medicinal properties.

The American arborvitae hedge is native to eastern regions of Canada and the United States but has been a popular tree for ornamental uses in many regions around the world. The tree was introduced to European growers in the early 16th century.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS DETAILS

There are a number of immediate benefits to choosing the Thuja occidentalis for your next hedge:

– Makes an excellent privacy screen when planted in a tight row

– Works well with a regular pruning schedule

– Requires little overall maintenance

The American Arborvitae in InstantHedge 10 linear feet package needs adequate water to stay healthy and may need more than a moderate watering schedule if planted in extreme heat. For winter landscapes, American Arborvitae’s dark green foliage can make a nice accent in an otherwise colorless yard and works as a great accompaniment to flowering plants during the rest of the year. For a more compact version of this plant, check out the Emerald green arborvitae hedge. We carry several other types of arborvitae hedges as well, and they are some of our most popular hedge types. You can also check out other different kinds of hedging plants here. Green Giant Arborvitae is an excellent choice for a similar but faster-growing hedge.

Top Qualities of American Arborvitae

• 1. Dark Green Color
• 2. Pyramidal Habit
• 3. Moderate Growth Rate
• 4. Easy to Maintain
• 5. Incredible Density

The post Thuja occidentalis <span> American Arborvitae </span> InstantHedge 10 linear feet appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

There are a number of benefits to choosing Wichita Blue Juniper for your next hedge:

– In this native habitat, Juniperus scopulorum tree is often found in rocky high altitude foothills, so it can tolerate fairly extreme climates.

– Typically, Rocky Mountain Juniper takes a wide pyramidal shape, has a distinctive shedding red-brown bark and has deep green needles on thin, sinewy branches. In the wild, the tree can grow up to 50 feet tall and 20 feet wide.  Wichita Blue is a bright blue colored variety that grows slower than the species.

– Extremely drought tolerant

– Bright blue color makes a visually striking hedge.

– Strongly deer resistant

The post Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita Blue’ <span> Rocky Mountain Juniper </span> InstantHedge 10 linear feet appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

The post Prunus laurocerasus ‘Volcano’ (‘Jong1’) PP# 29889 <span> Cherry Laurel </span> appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

About Box Honeysuckle

While less common in the United States, Box Honeysuckle is an extremely popular hedge in the UK. It is native to China. Its fine green foliage is similar to boxwood, and with consistent shearing it grows into a dense, thick hedge. It grows rapidly but responds well to pruning, so it can be maintained as either a small or a large hedge.

Lonicera Nitida grows well in full sun to light shade, and is hardy in USDA Zones 6-9. It is strongly deer resistant and has no serious disease issues. It tolerates drought, salt, and pollution well, and grows well in a wide range of soil types.

Box Honeysuckle is a great choice for replacing a boxwood hedge that has been infected with Boxwood Blight.

Planting Box Honeysuckle Tree Pots

Planting Box Honeysuckle tree pots as a hedge is simple, and how you space them depends on how tall you want your hedge to become eventually. For a 2’ tall hedge, space your tree pots 12” apart, on center (meaning from the center of the truck of each plant). For a 3’ or taller hedge, space the plants 12-18” apart on center.

Top Qualities of Box Honeysuckle

• 1. Evergreen Foliage
• 2. Fast Growth Rate
• 3. Deer and Rabbit Resistant
• 4. Disease Free
• 5. Low-Maintenance 

The post Lonicera nitida <span> Box Honeysuckle <span> Boxwood Substitute </span> appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

About Green Mountain Boxwood 

There are hundreds of boxwood varieties available on the market today. Despite this abundance of choices, many growers grow only one: Green Mountain. This isn’t from laziness or a lack of creativity. Green Mountain simply checks all the boxes! It is a hybrid between Buxus sempervirens and Buxus koreana that was selected by Sheridan Nursery in Ontario, Canada. It has impressive cold-hardiness for a boxwood, down to USDA Zone 4, and also tolerates heat and drought quite well. Green Mountain has a moderately slow growth rate of 3-6” per year. This makes it easy to maintain but also capable of being grown up to a 3-4’ size over time. It forms a wide oval shape that is easy to manipulate with pruning and shape into a perfect hedge. Green Mountain is evergreen and maintains a nice, deep green color all year. Sometimes if it is planted in full sun there may be a little bit of winter bronzing, but it is very little compared to a lot of boxwood varieties. Deer and rabbits won’t touch Green Mountain Boxwood. In several trials that have been conducted, it has always been in the top 10 most naturally Boxwood Blight resistant varieties (there isn’t yet such a thing as a “blight-proof” variety, but some show much stronger resistance than others). Green Mountain is a versatile boxwood that can be used in any type of garden style, from traditional to cottage to modern.

Top Qualities Green Mountain Boxwood 

• 1. Dark Green Color
• 2. Moderately Slow Growth Rate
• 3. Deer and Rabbit Resistant
• 4. Versatile Size 
• 5. Low-Maintenance 

The post Buxus x ‘Green Mountain’ <span> Green Mountain Boxwood </span> MiniHedgeXL appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

The post Juniperus scopulorum ‘Wichita Blue’ <span> Rocky Mountain Juniper </span> Gallon appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

Emerald Green Arborvitae is a slow-growing evergreen conifer that naturally grows into a tall, narrow columnar shape. It makes an excellent hedge due to its small footprint, lovely color, and low care needs. It is also very cold-hardy, making it suitable to grow in most parts of the USA.

About Emerald Green Arborvitae

Emerald Green Arborvitae is an extremely popular tree for most parts of the United States. If you live between zones 3-8 you have almost undoubtedly seen these growing in many yards. Unfortunately, its common presence has begun to give it an unfairly-bestowed bad name. Many people will say “I want a hedge but NOT Arborvitae.” Part of this feeling may be due to the sheer multitude of these trees, but it could also be from seeing Arborvitae that have been mistreated or planted in bad locations, causing them to lose vigor or look downright ugly.

This is quite sad, as when given proper care and sited well, Emerald Green can form a truly stunning hedge with brilliant green color and unparalleled density. Here are a few reasons why Emerald Green Arborvitae might be the best option for your new hedge:

The semi-dwarf growth habit of Smaragd was one of its most desirable features when it was a seedling discovered in Denmark in 1950. At most, it will grow up to 1 foot per year, but usually averages 6-8” of upright growth per year. Its horizontal growth is even slower, increasing by about 1-2” per year outward. This slow growth rate makes pruning a breeze, and it is usually only required once per year or once every two years. It is best to prune Emerald Green lightly but consistently to prevent needing to prune harshly later on which may result in unsightly browning.

Another feature that made this seedling desirable was its columnar growth habit. They naturally grow into a narrow pillar without any pruning. After 10 years of growth, an Emerald Green Arborvitae should reach about 8’ tall by 1.5’ wide. This makes them perfect for small gardens needing a hedge with a small footprint.

The most impressive feature of the seedling was the bright color of the foliage. “Smaragd”, the original Danish name, means “emerald”, referring to the rich, green hue of the feathery foliage. Unlike a lot of other Arborvitae, it maintains the vibrant green color even in winter, while other types may show some winter bronzing or browning.

Emerald Green is a selection of American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), which is native to the Northern United States and Canada. It is hardy down to USDA Zone 3, making it one of the most cold-hardy hedge options on the market.

Once established (2-3 years after planting), Emerald Green can tolerate drought very well. It can also tolerate some standing water in winter, but does much better in well-draining soil. Full sun is preferred, but it can take some partial shade as well. It has no major disease issues but does need protection from deer.

Top Qualities of Emerald Green Arborvitae

• 1. Bright Green Color
• 2. Narrow Columnar Habit
• 3. Moderately Slow Growth Rate
• 4. Easy to Maintain
• 5. Incredible Density

The post Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ <span> Emerald Green Arborvitae </span> InstantHedge 10 linear feet appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

Which size is right for you?

Tree Pot: Starts at $6.99 per plant, healthy roots,
lowest starting cost, ~7 year wait

18-24” MiniHedge: Starts at $149.99 per
unit, easy to maneuver, no wait for small hedge

3-4’ and 5-6’ InstantHedge: Starts
at $499.99 per unit, need 2 people to install, no wait

About Hicks Yew 

Hicks Yew is a hybrid between English Yew and Japanese Yew that was developed at Hicks Nurseries in the US. It was selected for its extremely narrow yet vigorous growth that makes it develop into a natural column over time. It also has improved cold-hardiness over the English Yew. Typically, Hicks Yew grows 6-8” per year, making it easy to maintain. It also responds extremely well to pruning, making it an excellent choice for a hedge. Its growth habit makes it easy to achieve a tall, narrow privacy hedge that won’t have a large footprint. Hicks Yew has beautiful, olive-colored, evergreen needles and bears bright red “fruits” in late summer and fall for nice contrast. The seeds inside are toxic to mammals but are enjoyed by birds. Yew is a great choice for a hedge in a shady area, but it can also grow in full sun. It tolerates salt and urban pollutants, making it suitable for growing in cities. Deer usually avoid yew, but very hungry herds have been known to eat them occasionally. It has almost no disease issues. It grows well in a wide range of conditions. The only thing it does not tolerate is overly wet or poor-draining soil. Yew plants in general are extremely long-lived, so you can plan on your Hicks Yew hedge lasting beyond your lifetime with proper care! It is a classic choice for hedges but can also make a noteworthy accent plant.

Top Qualities of Hicks Yew

• 1. Tall, Narrow Growth Habit
• 2. Moderately Slow Growth Rate
• 3. Dark, Olive-Colored, Evergreen Foliage
• 4. Grows in Full Shade to Full Sun
• 5. Easy to Grow 

The post Taxus x media ‘Hicksii’ <span> Hicks Yew </span> MiniHedge appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.

 

About Green Spire Euonymus

Euonymus Japonicus is Prized for its emerald-green, glossy, evergreen foliage (even in the middle of winter) as well as its narrow and upright habit, Green Spire is a wonderful hedge choice for warm, coastal areas such as Texas and Florida. It is hardy in USDA Zones 6-9. It is generally very easy to grow and maintain.

With optimum water and fertilizer, Green Spire can grow up to 1 foot per year, with almost all of the growth reaching straight upright. A slow-release fertilizer in early spring is perfect to encourage strong spring growth. At maturity, it can easily be maintained at 10 feet tall by 2 feet wide. It responds very well to hard pruning, making it one of the best ideal hedges.

Euonymus Green Spire grows well in full sun to nearly full shade, requiring only a few hours of sunlight per day. It has moderate drought resistance but does not like overly wet soil. Make sure your planting area is well-draining, but provide weekly water in dry times once established.

Planting Green Spire Euonymus Tree Pots

Planting Green Spire Euonymus tree pots as a hedge is simple, and how you space them depends on how tall you want your hedge to become eventually. For a 2’ tall hedge, space your tree pots 9” apart, on center (meaning from the center of the truck of each plant). For a 3’ or taller hedge, space the plants 12” apart on center. For more information on planting tree pots, click here.

Top Qualities of Green Spire Euonymus

• Evergreen with dark, glossy leaves
• Tall, narrow habit
• Fast growth rate
• Salt and wind tolerant
• Grows in full sun to full shade

The post Euonymus japonicus ‘Green Spire’ <span>Boxwood Substitute </span> Tree Pot appeared first on Conifer Kingdom.