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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Callitropsis nootkatensis Chamaecyparis nootkaensis
Chamaecyparis Chamaecyparis
Picea orientalis Picea orientalis
Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz's Midget' has some common insect problems:
Pests of Conifers
Juniper Scale Insect
Arborvitae Leafminer
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes
Mealybugs
Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz's Midget' has some other problems:
White-Tailed Deer

Hetz Midget Arborvitae Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz's Midget'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
THU-ya ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
Description

'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.

More information on Thuja occidentalis.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#accent plant#alkaline soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#conifer#accent plant#alkaline soils tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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