Description
Arborvitae ‘Smaragd’ (Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’)
Quality: 150–180 with root ball
‘Smaragd’ is Germany’s most popular hedge thuja – and for good reason. Its tightly upright, narrow conical growth and bright emerald-green foliage (even in winter) make it a classic for the structured garden.
Climatic characteristics & site conditions:
Very winter-hardy (down to –25 °C), tolerates southern German locations without any issues. Performs best in fresh, well-drained soils – in overly dry summers, irrigation may be necessary. Use with caution in higher elevations in the Black Forest or the Swabian Jura on very wind-exposed sites.
Advantages: Easy-care, hardly any pruning needed with natural growth, evergreen, dense privacy screening, establishes quickly, inexpensive.
Disadvantages: Sensitive to prolonged summer drought without irrigation, not bee-friendly, thuja pollen is highly allergenic, in mass plantings more susceptible to dieback due to root rot in waterlogged soils.
