Thuja occidentalis Rheingold - Canadian Arborvitae

The Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' is a small bush from Canada, truly sumptuous, with a conical and wide habit, which offers a range of copper, bronze, and golden hues throughout the seasons competing with splendour and richness. Its flat and finely architectural foliage is initially made up of spring shoots in coppery pink that then release flat branchlets covered in gold in summer, gradually turning to coppery orange and then to bronze in winter. Its slow growth and moderate size allow for numerous uses, in a rock garden, as a standalone plant, in flower beds with perennials or bushes, or even in a large pot on the terrace. It is also a hardy conifer that can tolerate well-drained soil that is not too dry, and a sunny position.

The Thuja occidentalis, also known as Eastern White Cedar or Northern White Cedar, is sometimes called the White Cedar of Canada or Balai. It is an evergreen conifer from the cypress family native to northeastern North America. In its natural habitat, it reaches a height of 15 to 20 m (49 in 2 ft - 65 in 7 ft), with a beautiful conical habit and a trunk covered in a highly decorative reddish-brown exfoliating bark. It is a perfectly hardy species, well adapted to temperate climates and poor, moist, or occasionally dry soils. Its almost rot-resistant, light, fragrant, and easily flammable wood is suitable for various uses. It has given rise to more than 300 cultivars selected for their ornamental qualities.

The 'Rheingold' variety, derived from this species, enjoys well-deserved success. This thuja stands out for its modest size, initially spherical and then very wide conical habit, and its wonderful foliage with changing colours. It has slow growth, so it will reach 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in height with a 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) spread at maturity, after many years. This conifer reveals aromatic foliage when crushed. It consists of flattened branchlets arranged in planes, covered with scale-like leaves 3 to 5 mm long. The leaves, overlapping each other, give the branchlets a flat appearance. The foliage, overall golden, takes on different coppery hues throughout the season, creating a beautiful effect. The pollen cones appear in spring, start turning yellow, and then become pale brown. The bark, reddish-brown and shiny on young subjects, quickly becomes fibrous. With age, it peels off in long, narrow, brownish-gray strips, usually flat. Sometimes they wrap around the trunk.

The 'Rheingold' Western Thuja is ideal for all gardens, even the smallest ones, as it is a magnificent and undemanding plant that requires very little maintenance. It can be planted in a large rock garden, as a small screen, freely or in groups of three near an entrance. It can be planted in a large rockery, as a small screen, free-standing or in groups of three near an entrance. It can also be planted in a pretty tub on a terrace or balcony. It goes well with untidy bushes, large stones, the geometric lines of swimming pools or houses, and masonry. It can be combined with complementary grasses, dwarf conifers with a prostrate habit (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Chip), globular conifers (Picea abies Little Gem), or the indestructible Microbiota decussata, whose autumn colour is a perfect match.