Arborvitae Plant Varieties: Getting To Know Different Types Of Arborvitae

Arborvitae (Thuja) shrubs and trees are beautiful and often used in home and business landscaping. These evergreen types are generally minimal in care and long lasting. Dense, scale-like foliage appears on sprays of limbs and are pleasantly fragrant when pinched and bruised.

Arborvitae grow in full sun to partial shade. Most need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Perfect for many landscapes, use them as single focal points or as part of a windbreak or privacy fence. If you need a different size or are interested in various cultivars, check out the following varieties of arborvitae.

Types of Arborvitae

Some types of arborvitae are globe shaped. Others are mounded, conical, pyramidal, rounded, or pendulous. Most cultivars have medium to dark green needles, but some types are yellow and even golden in color.

The pyramidal or other upright types are often used as corner plantings. The globe-shaped varieties of arborvitae are used as foundation plants or part of a bed in the front landscape. The yellow and golden colored types are particularly eye catching.

Globe-Shaped Types of Arborvitae

• Danica – emerald green with a globe shape, reaching 1-2 feet (31-61 cm.) in height and width
• Globosa – medium green, reaching 4-5 feet (1-1.5 m.) in height and spread
• Golden Globe – one of those with golden foliage, reaching 3-4 feet (1 m.) in height and width
• Little Giant – medium green with a height and spread of 4-6 feet (1-2 m.)
• Woodwardii – also a medium green, reaching 4-6 feet (1-2 m.) in height and width

Pyramidal Arborvitae Plant Varieties

• Lutea – aka George Peabody, golden yellow narrow pyramidal form, 25-30 feet (8-9 m.) high and 8-10 feet (2-3 m.) wide
• Holmstrup – dark green, narrow pyramidal reaching heights of 6-8 feet (2 m.) and 2-3 feet (61-91 cm.) across
• Brandon – dark green, narrow pyramidal 12-15 feet (4-4.5 m.) high and 5-6 feet (1.5-2 m.) wide
• Sunkist – golden yellow, pyramidal, 10-12 feet (3-4 m.) high and 4-6 feet (1-2 m.) wide
• Wareana – dark green, pyramidal, 8-10 feet (2-3 m.) in height and 4-6 feet (1-2 m.) in width

Most of those listed are cultivars of eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) and are hardy in zones 4 through 7. These are the most commonly grown in the U.S.

The western red cedar (Thuja plicata) is native to western U.S. These are bigger and grow more quickly than the eastern types. They are not as cold hardy either, and are best planted in zones 5 to 7.

For those in more southern areas of the U.S., oriental arborvitae (Thuja orientalis) grows in zones 6 through 11. There are numerous arborvitae plant varieties in this genus as well.