Conifers
Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd
Emerald green cedar is a consistent performer in the landscape. Tight, pyramidal, evergreen spires work well as a hedge or to create a feature in the garden. It is popular because it retains its bright emerald green color throughout the year and has an attractive pattern to its branches. Emerald cedars have a naturally tight growing habit, so the only pruning required is to even up the top of the hedge. Emerald cedars thrive in full sun in fertile, well-drained soil with summer watering for the first few seasons. In these conditions, they grow 8 to 12 inches a year. Then their growth slows dramatically at about 15 feet high by 4 feet wide. Do not allow a newly planted cedar to dry out completely as it may drop foliage and become bare and unattractive. A soaker hose and mulch are ideal for a new cedar hedge.
