Thuja orientalis

Thuja orientalis

Thuja orientalis, (syn. Platycladus stricta) are another popular Thuja species. Evergreen and great screening plants growing to 3m depending on species and conditions.

Thuja species prefer full sun however will be OK in part shade as well.

Growing Conditions & Planting

• Light: Prefers full sun for best growth and denser foliage. Tolerates partial shade, but heavy shade reduces vigor.
• Soil: Well-drained soil is important. It tolerates a range of soils (sand, loam, clay) and a variety of pH levels (acidic to neutral/alkaline).
• Drainage: Avoid waterlogged or heavy clay soils that stay wet — poor drainage can lead to root problems. 
• Planting time: Container-grown specimens can be planted in spring or autumn; bare-root or open-root stock (if available) is often planted as soon as conditions are favourable.
• Spacing (for hedges/screens): Leave enough room to allow mature spread — spacing depends on cultivar and how dense you want the screening. (As a rough guideline: many sources suggest ~50–70 cm spacing for smaller cultivars when forming low hedges.) 

Pruning & Maintenance

• Pruning frequency: Little to no pruning is necessary under normal growth.
• Purpose of pruning: Use pruning for shaping, size control, or removing damaged/weak branches, ideally in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
• Pruning method: Avoid heavy pruning or cutting into old wood (branches without green foliage), because new growth is produced only from branches that still carry foliage. 
• Maintenance needs: Overall a relatively low-maintenance conifer, especially for many of the compact cultivars. 

Thuja orientalis Varieties

• T. orientalis aurea nana One of the most popular cultivars also known as ‘Golden Biota’. Foliage is a mid to emerald green in winter and a more golden green in summer. Foliage is flattened into vertical sections giving it the name ‘Bookleaf Cypress’. Over time it will reach around 1m in height.
• T. orientalis ‘Golden Biota’ is a popular dwarf form.
• T. orientalis ‘Blue cone’ is a slow growing upright cultivar with blue green foliage, another ‘Bookleaf’ type. reaching to 5m over time it makes an excellent screening plant. Landscaping uses include adding some vertical accent to formal gardens, a feature plant next to paths an openings or as a hedge.
• T. orientalis ‘Morgan’ has foliage that changes from a near golden color in summer to a deeper gold to bronze in winter in colder climates. Very slow growing and excellent in a rock garden. Reaching a height of around .5m over 10 years this is an excellent low care plant for borders, low hedging or for growing in containers.
• T. orientalis ‘Rosedalis’ is not as formal as some, softer foliage and a golden lime green. turning to a more yellow in spring in colder areas.
• T. orientalis ‘Shirl’s Supreme’ is upright or columnar in habit reaching around 3m over 10 years, further slow growth after this. Tidy neat habit making it an excellent choice for formal landscaping applications.

Problems

• Poor drainage / overly wet soils: Can cause root problems — avoid planting where water tends to collect. 
• Heavy pruning into old wood: Removing all foliage from a branch can prevent re-growth — so prune conservatively.
• Pest/disease risks: Some issues may arise — pests like spider mites or bagworms (depending on region) can affect growth.
• Exposure to strong wind or harsh conditions (for young plants): Protection may be needed until well established, particularly in hot, dry or windy sites

Available from the following wholesale nurseries

DOWNES WHOLESALE NURSERY - Phone: 02 4651 0999 
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570 
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au

RIVETTS NURSERY and Coӧrdinated Plant Supplies

Mob:0427 510 586. T: 03 5678 8777
"Propagation and Production of Native and Exotic Trees
with Natural Root Systems from 2 to 2,000 lts."
www.njrivett.com.au

BLERICK TREE FARM 
55 McDougal Rd Neerim South Victoria 3831 PH: (03) 56281507
Advanced ornamental trees and garden designs and concept plans. Direct to your property combined with specialist knowledge and outstanding service. 
www.blericktreefarm.com.au

PLANTMARK
email ask@plantmark.com.au 
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au