In the past I have been quite dismissive in my attitude toward the lowly and overused arborvitae. As is the nature of snobs, I failed to overlook all of the many fine qualities of the plant. Seeing them shoved up against a house flanking either side of the entrance, the arborvotae is hardly ever shown to its advantage. For those of us in Zone 5 (or 4) the arborvitae is a plant you just can't do without.
In my travels I have loved the cypresses of Italy and have enjoyed seeing their pointy green profiles in the landscapes of Arizona and Washington State. But alas, cypresses don't grow here. What to substitute for those wonderful green excalmation points? Enter the arborvitae. Another especially beautiful one that doesn't grow quite so large is the Thuja occidentalis "DeGroot's Spire". It is a narrow green pyramid with twisted green fan-like foliage. It grows to be about 15-20' high and 3-4' wide. All of those wonderful Italian allees that you have been dreaming about are there for the making. I have planted four along my stone wall at the back of my house.
Even the lowly Thuja "Smaragd", also know as Emerald Green arborvitae has been planted in mass quantity behind my magnolias in order to give a green backdrop to the lovely white, early spring blooming flowers. I found these little trees at Lowes for a very reasonable price last spring. So remember, It is not always the flashiest plant that makes a good design and a beautiful yard. Don't overlook the usefulness of the arborvitae. (Next blog we will continue to look at another plant you can't do without.)
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