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Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ (American Arborvitae)

Fire Chief™ Arborvitae, White Cedar Fire Chief™, Northern White Cedar Fire Chief™, Swamp Cedar Fire Chief™, Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' PP19009

Thuja Occidentalis Fire Chief™, Fire Chief Arborvitae, White Cedar Fire Chief™, Northern White Cedar Fire Chief™, Swamp Cedar Fire Chief™, Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe'

Thuja occidentalis Fire Chief™ (American Arborvitae) is a dwarf, evergreen shrub of rounded habit with dense sprays of feathery, bright gold foliage in spring, turning sage-green and topped with red tips in the fall. Slow-growing, this distinctive Thuja is perfect for foundation plantings, rock gardens, as low hedges, or in borders. Its petite size makes it ideal for containers and small gardens too. This sport of highly popular Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ is regarded by many as a superior cultivar thanks to its better color throughout the season. It is also less prone to splitting under a load of snow or ice in winter.

  • Grows up to 3-4 ft. tall and wide (90-120 cm).
  • A full sun lover, this plant is easily grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Usually appreciates some light afternoon shade in hot summer climates. Bear in mind that foliage density loosens up in too much shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils. Thrives in humid weather with regular rainfalls. Intolerant of dry conditions. Protect from drying winds especially when young.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or for shrub borders, hedges, and screens, as foundation plants. Suitable for rock gardens. Performs well in wet areas of the garden and near swamps and bogs. Attractive in containers too!
  • No serious insect or disease problems. May be affected by spider mites, bagworms, or coryneum canker.
  • Low maintenance, American arborvitae tolerates shearing well for a more tailored column. Prune in early spring before the onset of new growth. Provide a generous root zone mulch
  • Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Native to Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, Canada

Arborvitae is one of the most versatile, easy-to-grow evergreens suited to cold northern landscapes. Perfect as specimen plants, hedges, foundation plantings, and windbreaks, these attractive shrubs require hardly any maintenance while contributing beautifully to our landscapes.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Thuja
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Golden Globe Arborvitae, Thuja Occidentalis 'Globosa Aurea', Globosa Aurea Arborvitae
Thuja Occidentalis 'Rheingold', Danica Arborvitae, White Cedar 'Rheingold', Northern White Cedar 'Rheingold', Swamp Cedar 'Rheingold', Thuja occidentalis 'Ellwangeriana Pygmaea Aurea'
Thuja Occidentalis, Arborvitae, Eastern Arborvitae, Northern White Cedar, Thuja occidentalis f. malonyana, Thuja occidentalis var. fastigiata, Thuja occidentalis var. nigra, Thuja occidentalis var. pyramidalis
Thuja Occidentalis 'Holmstrup', Holmstrup Arborvitae, White Cedar 'Holmstrup', Northern White Cedar 'Holmstrup', Swamp Cedar 'Holmstrup'
Thuja Occidentalis 'Danica', Danica Arborvitae, White Cedar 'Danica', Northern White Cedar 'Danica', Swamp Cedar 'Danica'
Thuja Occidentalis 'Mr. Bowling Ball', Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae, White Cedar 'Mr. Bowling Ball', Northern White Cedar 'Mr. Bowling Ball', Swamp Cedar 'Mr. Bowling Ball', Dwarf Thuja, Small Thuja,  Thuja occidentalis 'Linesville', Thuja occidentalis 'Bobozam'

Recommended Companion Plants

Hydrangea Paniculata 'Limelight', Limelight Hydrangea, Hydrangea 'Limelight', Panicle Hydrangea 'Limelight', Hydrangea paniculata 'Limelight'
Cotinus Coggygria, Cotinus, Smokebush, Smoketree, Eurasian Smokebush, Smoke Bush, Smoke Tree, Deciduous Shrubs, Foliage, Fall color
Geranium Rozanne, Hardy Geranium Rozanne, Crane's Bill Rozanne, Award geranium, AGM Geranium, Best geraniums, Best groundcovers, blue geranium, violet geranium
Crocosmia Lucifer, montbretia Lucifer, Crocosmia crocosmiiflora Lucifer, Coppertips Lucifer, Falling Stars Lucifer
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 7
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3, H1, H2
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Thuja
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spread 3' - 4'
(90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 36" - 48"
(90cm - 120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Ponds And Streams, Small Gardens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Learn Now
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Thuja
Not sure which Thuja to pick?
Compare Now

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