Growing Information

Growing zone guide
Growing Zone Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8
Sunlight Medium to bright light
Type of Soil Slightly acidic to neutral
Mature Height 10 to 15 feet
Maintenance Level Low maintenance
Water Requirement Moderate watering (once a week)

Learn more about this plant

Additional Information
Growth Rate

  • Speed: Slow to moderate; grows about 6 to 12 inches per year under optimal conditions.
  • Mature Height: Can reach heights of 15 to 20 feet.
  • Mature Spread: Generally maintains a narrow spread of 3 to 4 feet.
Colorful Leaves No
Flowering No
Bloom Color N/A
Ornamental Berries N/A
Disease resistant No
Cold Tolerant Yes
Heat Tolerant No
Drought Tolerant No
Deer Resistant No
Edible No
Wildlife Attraction

Attracts various birds and beneficial insects, providing habitat and food sources throughout the seasons.

Self-pollinating Self-pollinating
Seasonality
  • Season of Interest: Year-round
  • Winter Interest: Maintains its vibrant green color throughout the winter, providing a lush backdrop against frosty landscapes.
Ideal For
  • Tall Privacy Screens – Perfect for narrow spaces where height is needed without width
  • Formal Gardens – Excellent as living pillars in symmetrical or structured designs
  • Entryway or Driveway Framing – Adds elegance when planted in pairs or rows
  • Windbreaks – Serves as a tall, narrow wind barrier in exposed areas
  • Year-Round Structure – Provides vertical interest and evergreen presence throughout all seasons

Leaf Description
  • Leaves: Scale-like, bright green foliage that is dense and aromatic.
  • Texture: Soft and feathery to the touch, contributing to its lush appearance.
Flower Description
  • Flowering Period: This cultivar is primarily ornamental and does not produce significant flowers.
  • Flower Description: As a conifer, it produces small cones instead of traditional flowers.
Pruning & Maintenance

Minimal pruning is necessary. Light shaping can be done in late winter or early spring to maintain its columnar form.

Water Needs

Requires regular watering during the first year to establish roots. Once established, it needs moderate watering, particularly during dry periods.

Light Needs

Prefers full sun, thriving with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Harvesting

While Thuja occidentalis ‘DeGroot’s Spire’ is not a plant typically “harvested” in the traditional sense (like fruit or flowers), it does have value for ornamental harvesting, especially for seasonal decor and landscape maintenance.

Fertilizing

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Additional Care Tips
  • Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice.
  • Mulching: Apply mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pollination

Wind-pollinated; does not require animal pollinators.

Companion Plants

Flowering Shrubs & Perennials:

  • Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’ – Bold white blooms contrast well with vertical greens
  • Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) – Adds purple color and upright flower spikes
  • Astilbe ‘Vision in Red’ – Great texture and color for nearby shady spots

Ornamental Grasses & Groundcovers:

  • Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ – Cool-toned clumping grass for color contrast
  • Carex morrowii ‘Ice Dance’ – Variegated sedge for edges or underplanting
  • Liriope muscari – Grass-like with lavender blooms, ideal at the base

Evergreens & Structural Companions:

  • Buxus (Boxwood) – Rounded form balances Thuja’s vertical lines
  • Ilex crenata (Japanese Holly) – Glossy green foliage and formal appearance
  • Spiraea ‘Goldmound’ – Bright gold leaves and soft blooms offer seasonal interest
Flowering and Seasonality
  • Season of Interest: Year-round
  • Winter Interest: Maintains its vibrant green color throughout the winter, providing a lush backdrop against frosty landscapes.
  • Flowering Period: This cultivar is primarily ornamental and does not produce significant flowers.
  • Flower Description: As a conifer, it produces small cones instead of traditional flowers.
Pet Friendly

Yes

Growing Zone
  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8

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