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THE GARDEN SAGEA library of living things
Shrubs & garden character · Western North Carolina field companion

American arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis

Whole shrub · American arborvitae
Whole shrub · American arborvitae☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy Dewitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full composition retained.

Soft-textured dwarf evergreen; deer protection may be needed in winter.

Sun Exposure
Full sun–part shade
Mature Height (ft)
2–3
Mature Width (ft)
2–3
Bloom Season
Spring
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Get to know this plant.

Sun Exposure

Full sun–part shade

Growth Habit

Globe-shaped

Mature Height (ft)

2–3

Mature Width (ft)

2–3

More growing details

Bloom Season

Spring

Bloom Color

Inconspicuous

Evergreen / Deciduous

Evergreen

Native Status

U.S. native species; cultivar

WNC Notes

Soft-textured dwarf evergreen; deer protection may be needed in winter.

Drought Tolerance

Low–moderate

Wet-Soil Tolerance

Moderate

Deer Resistance

Low

LOOK CLOSELY

Two views, a closer look.

Place two photographs beside one another. Compare the overall plant with leaves, flowers, or bark when those views are available. Captions identify what each photograph actually shows. Images are not at the same scale; species references may show different cultivars.

Whole shrub · American arborvitae
Whole shrub · American arborvitae☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeCathy Dewitt ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full composition retained.
American arborvitae · Botanical detail
American arborvitae · Botanical detail☀ Full sun · ◐ Part sun or part shadeDmitry Makeev ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo contextResized and converted to WebP; full composition retained.

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