Thuja occidentalis Amber Glow - Canadian Arborvitae

The Thuja occidentalis 'Amber Glow' is a very graphic small conifer that naturally forms a lovely rounded and compact mass, with a neat appearance, like a topiary. Its foliage is quite fine, in flattened branches, and is very structured. Bright yellow, it turns amber to orange in autumn. Its slow growth and small size allow for many uses, in a rock garden, as a specimen plant, in a bed with shrubs, or even in a large pot near an entrance. It is a hardy and undemanding conifer. 

The Thuja occidentalis, also known as the Eastern Arborvitae or White Cedar, is sometimes called the Eastern White Cedar or Arborvitae. It is an evergreen conifer of the Cupressaceae family native to northeastern North America. It is distributed over a wide geographical area that perfectly reflects the plasticity of its living conditions, from swamps to cliffs, all hostile environments that discourage many other competing species. In nature, it reaches a height of 15 to 20 m (49 to 66ft), adopting a beautiful conical habit, and a trunk covered with a very decorative, reddish-brown, peeling bark. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to temperate climates and poor, moist, or occasionally dry soils. Its almost rot-resistant, lightweight, fragrant, and easily flammable wood is suitable for many uses. It has given rise to more than 300 cultivars that have been selected for their ornamental qualities. 

The 'Amber Glow' variety stands out for its very small size, its regular spherical habit, and its remarkable textured foliage. It has slow growth, so it will reach a maximum of 1 m (3ft) in all directions at the age of 10, and less than 1.50 m (5ft) at maturity. This conifer reveals foliage composed of fine, flexible, flattened branches arranged in vertical planes, and covered with scale-like leaves 3 to 5 mm in length. The leaves, overlapping each other, give the twigs a flat appearance. The foliage is golden yellow from spring to summer, then takes on an amber to orange hue in autumn and winter. Extremely decorative all year round with its beautifully colored evergreen foliage, this miniature conifer is easy to grow. It thrives in most soils, neutral to slightly alkaline, preferably moist, although it can tolerate some drought. It withstands -25 °C in well-drained soil.

The 'Amber Glow' Western Red Cedar will find its place in a small garden, in a not too arid rock garden or even in a lovely container on the terrace or balcony. It goes well with softer shrubs like Salix purpurea Nana, with its bluish foliage that will create a nice contrast with the yellow foliage of this small Thuja. As for perennials, Gauras with their delicate foliage and airy flowering will also bring a touch of lightness next to the compact aspect of Amber Glow. This small conifer loves large stones, the geometric lines of swimming pools or buildings, and masonry works. It can also be associated with grasses, which are very complementary, as well as with other small conifers with colorful foliage, such as the cute Pinus strobus Ontario, with its fluffy green foliage, or the Juniperus squamata Blue Star, which forms a lovely silvery blue cushion with small needles.