Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens'

RHS Plant Profile

western red cedar 'Atrovirens'

RHS 1999

Conifers

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A large, evergreen, narrowly-pyramidal tree reaching an ultimate height of 20-35m. Aromatic, glossy, scale-like, sharply-pointed very dark green leaves are held in large drooping sprays on spreading branches

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

wider than 8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: wider than 8 metres
Max Height: Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or 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

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, 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