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, pyramidal 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. It needs protection 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 also 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:
- 3b, 3a, 4a, 4b, 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
