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Growth Rate
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- Slow to moderate growth.
- Typically grows 2–4 inches per year.
- Mature size: , naturally globe-shaped.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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No |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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- Offers shelter for small birds and insects.
- Not especially attractive to pollinators (non-flowering).
- Generally — considered deer-resistant, though not deer-proof.
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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- Evergreen: Maintains foliage and color year-round.
- Seasonal interest due to color shift:
Spring/Summer: Bright green Fall/Winter
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Ideal For
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- Shade gardens
- Woodland gardens
- Moist areas near streams or ponds
- Borders
- Mass plantings for foliage contrast
- Containers (in shade with adequate moisture)
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Leaf Description
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- Foliage: Dense, soft, fern-like scale leaves.
- Color:
Bright greenish-gold to lime green in spring/summer. Develops in fall and winter, especially in colder climates — hence the name "Fire Chief".
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Flower Description
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- As a conifer, it does not produce true flowers.
- Reproductive parts are small, inconspicuous (male) and seed cones (female), but rarely noticed.
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Planting Instructions
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- Site selection: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
- Soil preparation: Loosen the soil and mix in organic compost to enhance drainage and nutrients.
Planting: - Dig a hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball.
- Place the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface.
- Backfill with soil and gently firm it down.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Spacing: Space 2–3 feet apart for a hedge; 3–5 feet if planting individually.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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- Minimal pruning required due to its naturally rounded, compact shape.
- Lightly prune in early spring to maintain shape and remove any dead or stray branches.
- Avoid heavy pruning into old wood; this arborvitae does not regenerate well from deep cuts.
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Water Needs
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- Requires regular watering, especially during the first 1–2 years after planting.
- Soil should be consistently moist but not soggy.
- Once established, it is but performs best with occasional deep watering during dry spells.
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Light Needs
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- Full sun to partial shade
- Best color and dense growth achieved in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct light daily).
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Harvesting
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- Not applicable — no fruit or parts harvested for consumption.
- Occasionally clipped for in winter displays.
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Fertilizing
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- Fertilize in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 14-14-14).
- Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive growth and loss of shape.
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Pollination
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- Not applicable in the typical sense; it’s a non-flowering conifer.
- Reproduces via , but rarely sets significant seed in landscape use.
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Companion Plants
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- Pair with plants that enjoy similar conditions (sun, well-drained soil) and contrast in texture or bloom:
- Perennials: Lavender, Echinacea, Salvia
- Shrubs: Spirea, Boxwood, Hydrangea (esp. compact varieties)
- Grasses: Blue Fescue, Carex
- Other evergreens: Juniper, Dwarf Pine
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