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Thuja plicata Zebrina - Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata Zebrina
Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Red Cedar

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This large Thuja is distinguished by its beautiful light green foliage striped with yellow, very bright in spring and summer. Of slow growth, it requires less pruning but tolerates it well. It allows for the creation of very elegant evergreen screens, but also looks good as a standalone. Its aromatic foliage is adorned with fairly decorative green cones, turning brown when ripe. Cultivate in the sun, in any deep, not too dry soil.
Height at maturity
20 m
Spread at maturity
7 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -29°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to December
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Description

Thuja plicata 'Zebrina' is a variety of variegated giant Californian Thuja, particularly elegant and bright in spring and summer, greener in winter. It is also interesting for its slow growth which limits repeated and tedious pruning operations. This large conifer allows for the creation of a dense evergreen screen, both unusual and effective against wind and prying eyes. Its light green foliage streaked with yellow-green emits a pleasant aromatic scent, adorned with fairly decorative green cones that turn brown when ripe. It can be planted in a sunny location and cultivated without difficulty in any deep soil that is not too dry in summer.

 

Thuja plicata, also known as Giant Thuja or Western Red Cedar, is sometimes called Western Red Cedar or Lobb's Thuja. It is an evergreen conifer from the Cupressaceae family, native to the northwest of North America, particularly northern California. In its natural environment, this giant reaches a height of 50 or 60 metres (164 - 196ft) and can develop a trunk with a diameter of 3 metres (10ft) when it reaches around 700 years at the end of its life. It has long been exploited for its soft and durable wood, known in Europe as 'Red cedar'. This giant reigns in the thickness of lush forests (California is not just an arid desert), but also descends to the banks of rivers or colonizes swampy forests. It is a shade-tolerant species, even in dense shade, and thrives in humid conditions.

The 'Zebrina' variety (synonym 'Aureovariegata') distinguishes itself by its much slower growth, around 20 to 30cm (7.9 - 11.8in) per year, and its beautifully variegated foliage. The tree has a regular pyramidal habit. Its growth is slow; theoretically, it will reach a height of about 20 metres and a width of 7 metres after many years if not regularly pruned. In our gardens, planting in a dense hedge and annual pruning allow it to be maintained for a long time in more reasonable proportions, around 5 to 6 metres in height and 1 to 2 metres in width. This conifer has flattened branches covered with scale-like leaves. The leaves, overlapping each other, give the branchlets a flat appearance. The foliage, aromatic, is highly variegated in spring and summer, and then turns somewhat greener in winter. It persists throughout the year, even in winter.

 

The 'Zebrina' Thuja, with its ease of cultivation, high tolerance to pruning, and both dense and bright vegetation, is a variety that deserves to be chosen more often to create our privacy screens and windbreaks. It prefers cool climates and adapts to almost any condition except dense shade and dry soils. Its density protects the garden throughout the year while adding a bit of light and whimsy to the darker areas of the garden.

 

Thuja plicata Zebrina - Western Red Cedar in pictures

Thuja plicata Zebrina - Western Red Cedar (Foliage) Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 20 m
Spread at maturity 7 m
Habit conical, pyramidal
Growth rate fast

Flowering

Flower colour insignificant
Fruit colour green

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour variegated
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased
Foliage description Mild and typical aroma when crushed. Evergreen.

Botanical data

Genus

Thuja

Species

plicata

Cultivar

Zebrina

Family

Cupressaceae

Other common names

Western Red Cedar, Pacific Red Cedar, Giant Red Cedar

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference860331

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Planting and care

Thuja plicata 'Zebrina' should be planted from September to November and from February to June in deep, ordinary, but loose and not too heavy, limestone soil, close to neutrality or even slightly acidic, retaining freshness. This variety fears drought, both in the air and in the soil. It will thrive in a sunny and open exposure. Soak the root balls well before planting. Optionally, add organic amendment to the planting and water generously in the first few years, and in case of prolonged drought. In very poor soil, you can apply a special conifer fertilizer every year in April and hoe the soil in summer. This hardy conifer (up to -25°C (-13 °F) at least) can be pruned perfectly, up to twice a year in April and August if necessary. It has the ability to produce young shoots even on old wood.

Its enemies are mainly red spiders and scale insects, which thrive in hot and dry weather. Armillaria or root rot can also develop on the roots. Thuja plicata can also present cankers on its branches.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time January to December

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow
Type of use Back of border, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, deep.

Care

Pruning instructions Prune once or twice a year if necessary to limit the growth of this tall Thuja.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April, August
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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