Thuja occidentalis Golden Globe - Canadian Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe', naturally forming a golden sphere, wears its name perfectly. This small conifer is adorned with aromatic foliage of a golden yellow, very bright throughout the year. Its very slow growth and topiary look allow for many uses, in a small garden, a rockery, isolated, in a bed with perennials or shrubs, or even in a large pot on the terrace. It is a very hardy variety, not demanding on the nature of the soil, which is content with a well-drained soil, even poor, limestone and occasionally dry, and a sunny exposure.

Thuja occidentalis, also called Eastern White Cedar or Northern White Cedar, is sometimes called the White Cedar of Canada or Balai. It is an evergreen conifer of the cypress family native to northeastern North America. It is distributed over a wide geographical area that perfectly reflects the plasticity of its living conditions, from marshes to cliffs, so many hostile environments that discourage many other competing species. In nature, it reaches 15 to 20m (49ft - 65ft) in height, adopting a beautiful conical shape, and a trunk covered with a very decorative, reddish-brown and exfoliating bark. It is a very hardy species, very well adapted to temperate climates and poor, moist or occasionally dry soils. Its almost rot-resistant, lightweight, fragrant and easily flammable wood lends itself to many uses. It has given rise to more than 300 cultivars that have been selected for their ornamental qualities.

The 'Golden Globe' cultivar, derived from this species, stands out for its very small size, its globose habit barely higher than wide, and its very bright foliage. Its growth is slow, so it will reach an average height of 1.25m (4ft) and a spread of 1.10m (3ft 7in) after many long years. This conifer reveals aromatic foliage when crushed, consisting of flattened branches that appear braided, and covered with scale-like leaves 3 to 5mm in length. Overlapping each other, the diamond-shaped leaves give the twigs a flat appearance. The foliage, which remains juvenile in this variety, is a golden yellow from end to end of the year. The discreet flowering takes place in late spring.

 The 'Golden Globe' Eastern White Cedar will find its place in a small garden, in a rockery, or even planted here and there to structure a bed, across a wide range of climates, as it is a very adaptable and undemanding plant in well-drained soil. It can also be installed in a beautiful container on the terrace or balcony. It goes well with large stones, the geometric lines of swimming pools or buildings. It can be associated with complementary grasses or dwarf conifers with a prostrate habit (Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip'), globose (Picea abies 'Little Gem'), or even with the indestructible Microbiota decussata whose autumn colour matches. The real graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures to the waltz of blooms. These plants with their reassuring permanence durably structure a bed, mark the pathways, border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.