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Growth Rate
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- Slow to moderate, growing about 4 to 6 inches per year.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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No |
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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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No |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Little Giant Arborvitae is appealing to various wildlife, including birds, which are attracted to its foliage for shelter and its small cones for food. |
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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This hardy shrub is evergreen, maintaining its vibrant green color throughout the year. Its growth is most vigorous in spring and summer, adding to its lush appearance. |
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Ideal For
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Small gardens, borders, foundation plantings, and containers. Enhance your landscape with the delightful charm of the Little Giant Arborvitae! |
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Leaf Description
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The leaves are soft, scale-like, and rich green, forming dense foliage that gives the plant its signature rounded shape. In winter, the leaves may take on a slight bronze hue. |
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Flower Description
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- Flowering Season: The Little Giant Arborvitae produces small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring. While not visually striking, these flowers are part of its reproductive cycle.
- Flower Description: The flowers are tiny, cone-like structures that blend in with the foliage, appearing in clusters but are not a focal point of the plant.
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Planting Instructions
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- Best Time to Plant: Early spring or fall.
- Planting Method: Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball. Place the plant in the center, backfill with soil, and water well.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Light pruning is recommended to maintain shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Best done in late winter or early spring. |
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Water Needs
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- Frequency: Water regularly during the first year to establish roots, then weekly during dry spells.
- Amount: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging.
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Light Needs
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- This plant prefers full sun to partial shade, thriving best in locations that receive at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day.
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Harvesting
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Not applicable, as this plant is ornamental and not harvested for any products. |
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Fertilizing
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to promote healthy growth and vitality. |
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Additional Care Tips
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- Pests: Generally pest-resistant but monitor for common issues like spider mites and bagworms.
- Diseases: Watch for root rot in overly wet conditions; ensure well-draining soil.
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Pollination
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Little Giant Arborvitae is wind-pollinated. It produces small cones but does not require specific pollinators. |
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Companion Plants
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🌾 Grasses & Groundcovers:- Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ – Blue foliage provides excellent contrast
- Carex ‘Ice Dance’ – Bright variegated sedge for shade or part sun
- Sedum ‘Angelina’ – Golden low-growing succulent with great texture
🌸 Flowering Perennials:- Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – Burgundy foliage complements evergreen tones
- Lavandula angustifolia (Lavender) – Aromatic and drought-tolerant companion
- Echinacea purpurea (Coneflower) – Bright blooms balance the green backdrop
🌿 Small Shrubs:- Spiraea japonica ‘Little Princess’ – Rounded shape and pink blooms
- Buxus (Boxwood) – Great symmetry and contrast in form
- Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’ – Low, evergreen companion with darker foliage
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