oriental arborvitae
Platycladus orientalis
USDA zones6 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles moderate to moist soil
Size18 to 25 feet tall10 to 15 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Habit
- Columnar
- Bloom color
- Non-flowering
- Foliage color
- Gold/yellow, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) is a tree for specimen planting, hedges, privacy screens, and foundation plantings. It is hardy to USDA zone 6, or down to -10°F (-23°C). This plant likes full or part sun and average to moist soil of most types. Its columnar shape and gold-yellow and green foliage stay evergreen all year. Growth is slow, so it keeps its form with little care. Birds visit the dense branches.
Pairs well with Japanese maple, Stonecrop, and Fountain grass.
Native range
China, Korea, and Russian Far East.