Thuja plicata Forever Goldy ('4ever') PP19267*

– Provides cover and structure for birds and beneficial insects

– Not a major nectar or fruit source

– Somewhat deer-resistant, but young plants may be nibbled in winter

– Evergreen year-round

– Maintains bold golden foliage through all seasons

– Excellent for winter structure and color

– Colorful privacy hedge or screen – vertical accent – year-round foundation planting – evergreen backdrop – modern or cottage gardens – low-maintenance landscape borders

– Golden-yellow evergreen foliage, scale-like and arranged in dense flattened sprays

– Color is brightest in full sun and persists year-round, unlike many golden conifers

– New growth is particularly vibrant and does not bronze in winter

– Produces small, inconspicuous pollen cones and seed cones in spring

– Not a decorative feature

– Pollination via wind

– Site selection: Choose a sunny to partly shaded location with good airflow

– Soil requirements: Prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soil, but tolerates a range of soils including sandy or clay if not waterlogged

– Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (around 6.0–7.0)

– Planting depth: Plant root ball level with soil surface; do not plant too deep

– Spacing: For hedges, space 3–5 feet apart; allow more room for specimen use

– Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base (but not against the trunk) to retain moisture

– Best planting time: Spring or early fall

– Minimal pruning needed – naturally maintains a dense, upright pyramidal shape

– Time to prune: Early spring before new growth or in mid-summer

– Avoid cutting into old wood; trim lightly for shape or size control

– Can be sheared as a formal hedge

– Water regularly during the first two seasons to establish roots

– Prefers evenly moist, well-drained soil

– Becomes moderately drought-tolerant once established

– Avoid overwatering or planting in soggy soil

– Thrives in full sun for best foliage color

– Can tolerate light shade, but golden color may fade in too much shade

– Needs at least 4–6 hours of sunlight daily

– Not grown for commercial harvest

– Occasionally used as a living Christmas tree when young

– All-season ornamental

– Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring

– Avoid overfeeding with high-nitrogen fertilizers, which may reduce hardiness or compact growth

– Compost mulch can help maintain long-term soil fertility

– Self-pollinating

– Wind-pollinated; produces small male and female cones

– Not grown for flowers or fruit

– Heuchera – colorful foliage contrast at the base

– Cornus sericea (Red-twig dogwood) – winter color contrast

– Hydrangea paniculata – large flowering shrub for soft balance

– Buxus (Boxwood) – formal structure pairing

– Carex or Liriope – textural groundcover in partial shade