Thuja plicata 'Collyer's Gold'

RHS Plant Profile
western red cedar 'Collyer's Gold'

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A slow-growing, upright, evergreen shrubby tree, the sprays of green foliage have rich golden growing tips, turning orange-bronze in winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eatenskin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus
Thuja are fast-growing evergreen trees of narrowly conical habit, with flat sprays of tiny, aromatic, scale-like leaves and small knobbly cones
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required; trim hedges in spring and late summer

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and conifer aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to diseases including honey fungus, Phytophthora root rot and thuja blight. See conifers: brown patches for further advice