Hetz Midget Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz's Midget'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- THU-ya ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
- Description
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'Hetz Midget' arborvitae is a woody, needled evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is a cultivar of the American arborvitae.
It is widely adaptable to a variety of soil types and is drought and alkaline-soil tolerant. It does not tolerate dry or exposed, windy sites. It grows well in full sun or partial shade. Avoid full shade, though, or the foliage will thin out dramatically.
The form is more globose than conical, usually single-trunked, and it slowly reaches 3 to 4 feet tall and slightly wider in diameter. The scale-like foliage is arranged in dense, flat, layered sprays.
Its size and naturally rounded form make it ideal for a small space, foundation planting, border, low hedge, cottage, or rock garden. It can also be used as a specimen or in a container to accent a lawn, patio, or pool hardscape. It is tolerant of urban conditions.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Damage from deer browsing can be a serious problem. Leaf miners may damage leaf tips. Bagworms, mealy bugs, scales, and spider mites are occasional visitors. Canker can occasionally be a problem.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thuja
- Species:
- occidentalis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Scale-like leaves are tightly packed in flattened, fan-shaped sprays.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Pollution
