Have you ever gone to your local garden center looking for a certain plant that you know by its common name, only to find that the plants are set out on long tables according to their scientific name?  It can lead to a lot of frustration unless you’re shopping for an ‘Emerald Green’ Arborvitae, or Thuja Occidentalis, whose common and scientific names are both in Latin.  An evergreen in the Cypress family, this conifer’s name means “tree of life,” due to the alleged medicinal value of its resin.  Hardy from zones 3 through 8, the ‘Emerald Green’ reaches 12’ to 14’ at maturity, with a 4’ or more spread (if given the room).  Although it loves the sun, it will also thrive in partial shade, as long as the soil is moist, acidic, and well-draining.  Be sure to provide plenty of nutrients in the soil, and mulch these beauties!

A perfect choice for northern landscaping, its relative compactness makes it a better choice than the Leyland cypress, which reaches 60’ at maturity, but requires zone 6 or higher in order to thrive.  Slim in nature and pyramidal in shape,  the ‘Emerald Green’ arborvitae is often planted in a row as a decorative border planting, wind break, or as a “living wall” privacy screen that requires little if any pruning.  Just be sure to prune brown branches back to green, which may be done at any time.

A moderate grower of about one foot per year, one huge caveat comes with this multi-purpose evergreen; while the miniature leaves appear scale-like, they are soft to the touch, not prickly like many needled evergreens, which makes them a favorite food for deer.  When the first hint of cold bites the air, wrap the trees in a fine netting that can be purchased at the garden center.  It extends about 12’ up the tree, and will send the deer looking elsewhere for their dinner.  Come spring, simply roll it back up, store it for the following winter, and enjoy the privacy that this amazing evergreen affords.