Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- THU-ya ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
- Description
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This arborvitae is a dense, broad, conical plant that will adapt to a variety of growing conditions but prefers full sun to part shade in moist but well-drained soil. In areas where the afternoon temperatures are extreme, some shade may be necessary. Locating this plant in full shade will cause a decrease in foliage. Protect against harsh winds.
'Sunkist' boasts lemon-yellow foliage in the spring. In the winter the foliage will become more orange-yellow.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is frequently damaged by deer. Leaf blight, leaf miner, canker, and bagworms, may be diseases that affect this plant.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thuja
- Species:
- occidentalis
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Habit/Form:
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6b, 6a, 7b, 7a
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- Bark on mature branches and trunks will exfoliate.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Typically single-trunked.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Patio
- Slope/Bank
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
