Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd 10L Pot

Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ (Emerald Green Arborvitae): Evergreen Elegance for Your Garden

Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd,’ more commonly known as the Emerald Green Arborvitae, is one of the most popular evergreen conifers for Irish gardens. Renowned for its slender pyramidal form, vibrant year-round foliage, and low-maintenance care requirements, this versatile plant is a timeless choice for both traditional and contemporary landscapes. Whether used to create a living privacy screen, frame a pathway, or stand as a focal point specimen, ‘Smaragd’ delivers structure, color, and elegance in every season.

Key Features and Characteristics

• Form & Size: Naturally upright and narrow, ‘Smaragd’ develops into a dense, symmetrical pyramid. Mature plants typically reach 10 to 15 feet in height with a spread of 3 to 4 feet, making it ideal for smaller gardens where space is limited yet height and presence are desired.

• Foliage: The rich emerald-green scale-like leaves are soft to the touch and retain their color exceptionally well throughout the year. Unlike many conifers that can bronze in winter, ‘Smaragd’ keeps its fresh, bright tones, even during the coldest months.

• Hardiness & Adaptability: Exceptionally hardy, this Arborvitae tolerates the varied Irish climate with ease. It grows happily in full sun or partial shade and adapts to a wide range of soils, provided they are well-draining. Once established, it shows good drought resistance, making it a long-lasting, reliable garden investment.

Seasonal and Year-Round Appeal

• In spring and summer, the lush green foliage offers a fresh backdrop to flowering shrubs and perennials.

• In autumn, it retains its vibrant color while many deciduous trees shed their leaves.

• In winter, its evergreen presence provides structure and architectural beauty, ensuring your garden never looks bare or empty.

Planting & Care Tips

• Site Selection: Choose a position with good light — full sun to partial shade — and soil that drains freely.

• Spacing: For hedging or privacy screening, plant at intervals that allow the trees to form a dense barrier without overcrowding (typically 2–3 feet apart).

• Watering: Water regularly in the first year to encourage strong root establishment. After this period, ‘Smaragd’ needs only occasional watering during prolonged dry spells.

• Pruning: Requires minimal attention. Light trimming once a year, usually in late spring or early summer, helps maintain a tidy outline and ensures the hedge or specimen keeps its crisp, defined shape.

Ideal Landscaping Uses

• Privacy & Screening: An excellent natural alternative to fencing, providing beauty as well as seclusion.

• Hedges: Plant in rows for a formal, elegant evergreen hedge.

• Specimen Planting: Works beautifully as a single feature tree or grouped in threes for symmetry.

• Foundation Planting: Softens building edges and adds year-round structure around homes and entrances.

• Container Gardening: Its narrow form makes it suitable for decorative planters on patios, balconies, and courtyards.

Why Choose Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’?

This Arborvitae combines classic evergreen appeal with practical garden function. Its ability to hold a neat, compact shape without constant pruning, combined with its vivid, long-lasting color, makes it a favorite with gardeners, landscapers, and designers alike. Whether your goal is privacy, structure, or year-round greenery, ‘Smaragd’ is a tree that will thrive for decades, continually enhancing your outdoor space.

Delivery Times in Ireland: 3–5 working days