PLANT FINDER
Elegantissima Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Elegantissima'
Height: 15 feet
Spread: 10 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 4b
Other Names: Platycladus orientalis
Description:
This conical to narrow pyramidal shrub produces wonderful sprays of yellow new foliage set atop golden and yellow-green older foliage; puts on a dramatic winter show when the outer edges of the plant turn a rusty bronze color; makes a great garden accent
Ornamental Features
Elegantissima Arborvitae is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has gold evergreen foliage which emerges yellow in spring. The scale-like sprays of foliage turn coppery-bronze in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Elegantissima Arborvitae is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal 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.
Elegantissima Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Elegantissima Arborvitae will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. 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. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
