Thuja occidentalis Pyramidalis Compacta - Eastern White Cedar

The Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis Compacta' is a variety of Canadian thuja of medium size and narrow columnar shape, with short and tight ascending branches. The evergreen foliage is medium green, slightly tinged with brown in winter. While this conifer is sensitive to dry locations, it adapts well to all other situations and is perfectly hardy and resistant to pollution. Plant it as a standalone or in the back of a flower bed with shrubs and perennials.

The Thuja occidentalis, also known as the Eastern Arborvitae or Northern White Cedar, is a persistent conifer of the cypress family native to northeastern North America. It is distributed over a wide geographic area that perfectly reflects the plasticity of its living conditions. In nature, it reaches a height of 15 to 20 m, adopting a beautiful conical habit and a trunk covered with a highly decorative bark. It is a perfectly hardy species, well adapted to temperate climates and poor, moist, or occasionally dry soils. Its almost rot-resistant, lightweight, fragrant, and easily flammable wood lends itself to many uses. It has given rise to more than 300 cultivars.

The 'Pyramidalis Compacta' variety stands out for its small size and columnar habit. Its growth is relatively slow so that it will reach an average height of 4 m with a spread of 1 m at maturity after many long years. Its growth rate is around 30 cm per year after the 2 or 3 years required for establishment. This conifer reveals particularly fine foliage, almost feathery and aromatic when crushed, consisting of flattened twigs arranged in planes and covered with scale-like leaves measuring 3 to 5 mm in length. Overlapping each other, the leaves give the twigs a flat appearance. The foliage is a relatively light medium green from spring to summer, then takes on more brownish hues in autumn and winter. The decorative cones, slender, green and then brown at maturity, are 8 to 12 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide and are formed by 4 or 5 scales.

The 'Pyramidalis Compacta' western thuja integrates harmoniously into a variety of gardens, even the smallest ones, as it is narrow. Its ease of maintenance, once acclimated, makes it a preferred choice for gardeners looking for simple and effective solutions to enhance their outdoor space. The foliage of this plant brings a touch of dense and vibrant greenery throughout the year. Its texture and colour blend perfectly with wilder garden elements, as well as with architectural structures. Its architectural appearance and structural qualities make it particularly suitable for contemporary gardens. This plant can easily replace traditionally used species for garden structuring, such as trimmed boxwood or holly, allowing for playing with volumes and shades of green to create visually captivating compositions.