Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd')
THOO-yah ox-ee-den-TAL-is 'Smaragd'

Evergreen Perennial Shrub in the Cupressaceae Family
 
Buy Emerald Green Arborvitae
Size Notes Price Availability
#5 gallon Field $50.47 Likely available
1/24 - 4/4

Experience the striking beauty of a narrow pyramidal form adorned with vibrant, lustrous green foliage and unique red peeling bark, all of which maintain their stunning color throughout winter!

Known for its emerald green color that will not fade or bronze at any point during the year, this shrub is cone-shaped and slow-growing, making it a reliable ornamental planting anywhere you need year-round interest.

Pros

The most widely planted arborvitae in the trade; holds rich green color through winter without bronzing; narrow pyramidal form is ideal for privacy screens and hedges in tight spaces; low maintenance once established.

Cons

Extremely popular with deer, which can strip foliage in a single season in high-pressure areas; shallow roots need supplemental water during drought and in the first few years after planting.
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 12 - 14 feet tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Birds, Attracts Birds, Attracts Wildlife, Deer Resistant, Edging, Edging, Evergreen, Evergreen, Fall interest, Fast Growth Rate, Foundation, Foundation, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Accents, Good for Asian Garden, Good for Asian Garden, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Borders, Good for Hedges, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rock Garden, Good for Rock Garden, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Most Popular, Nativar, Native to North America, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Perennial, Potentially Allergenic, Potentially Allergenic, Rabbit Resistant, Rabbit Resistant, Shrub, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Loamy Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Tree, Well-Drained Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet, Wet Site Tolerant, Wet Site Tolerant, Winter Interest, Winter Interest, Woodland Garden, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period Non-flowering
Flower Color Non-Flowering
Foliage Color
 

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Photos of This with...

Japanese Painted Fern, Buzz Velvet Butterfly Bush, Quick Fire Hydrangea, Cinnamon Fern, Green Carpet Japanese Pachysandra, Otto Von Bismark Colorado Spruce, New Look Dusty Miller, Coleus
 
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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To secure the best prices for club members and make sure we know the current plants available from each nursery, we take orders only a couple of times a month.

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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!