Thuja or Arborvitae is a genus of the coniferous trees from the Cypress family. Hailing from North America and Eastern Asia, Thuja trees have garnered a reputation for their evergreen beauty and versatility in landscaping. Used by gardeners across America to create privacy screens, Thuja trees are known for their resilience and dense foliage. They are also used in the form of innovative container planting, providing a touch of evergreen elegance to patios, balconies, or entryways.
Follow along as we explore unique container choices, soil mixes, and design considerations that give your space a fresh and new look.
Container Grown Thuja: The Allure
A Thuja tree grown in a pot has a different type of appeal. It offers flexibility, saves space, and broadens your horizon to experiment with aesthetics via pot designs and shapes.
Flexibility
A Thuja tree in a pot allows you to experiment with different locations and styles. Unlike planting a tree in the ground, you can always rearrange your Thuja in the container, moving it to a new space if you aren’t content with your current setup or simply want to change things up. Moreover, this simplifies Thuja care, keeping your tree healthy with minimal effort, as you can move it around to protect it from harsh weather or place it somewhere with optimal sunlight.
Saving Space
Thuja trees in containers are perfect for small spaces such as patios, balconies, or entryways, where you don’t have the option for traditional planting. Pot plants don’t grow too large, allowing you to experience the evergreen charm in a smaller setting. This is perfect for people living in large metropolitan cities, where you may not have a garden but might have a balcony where you can add that touch of green to bring life to your space.
Experimenting with Aesthetics
Pots and containers come in all kinds of different shapes and sizes, along with different colors and artwork. This allows you to explore the different designs to find the perfect match for you to uplift the decor of your outdoor space while showing off your glamorous Thuja tree.
Container Choices: The Right Pot For You
Containers add character to your outdoor space and are a representation of your personal taste. Not only do they uplift beauty, but they are also a great way to ensure the healthy growth of the plants you add to your space. The size of the container depends on the size of the root ball, variety, and preference. It's common to have a container that is 6-7 times the size of the root ball. For those who may struggle to measure, having a container with a 20-gallon capacity will suffice for a Thuja tree and last a long time.
Classic Terra-cotta Containers
Never going out of style, these provide a timeless look and can range from orange-brown to a pale cream color, offering various textures and outer feel, from smooth and textured to embellished, consisting of intricate designs. Additionally, they offer excellent drainage, essential for preventing root rot.
This classic container offers many benefits, from airflow to avoid water buildup to durability. You can use it in both casual and formal settings.
Modern Fiberstone Planters
Lightweight and durable, these concrete lookalikes are made from fiberglass and crushed stones. With the ability to withstand extreme cold, this container is available in various colors and finishes, allowing for a contemporary aesthetic. It is commonly found with a rough exterior to exhibit the feel of concrete.
Rustic Wooden Boxes
Looking to add a natural, rustic charm to your outdoor area? Wooden boxes come in various looks, from unfinished and stained to sealed with a clear finish and painted. Wood is a very durable material that can survive all types of weather, so you can leave your container outdoors all year long without worry.
Vitality & Health: The Perfect Soil Mixture
The soil is very important to the vitality and long-term health of your Thuja tree. They thrive in well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It is important to use a good soil mixture.
Base
Get a high-quality commercial potting mix, ensuring it is free from pests and diseases. Garden soil is not sterile, so don’t use that.
Organic Matter
Add compost or aged manure. This provides essential nutrients and improves soil structure.
Drainage Enhancers
Incorporate perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage and aeration, preventing waterlogging.
Soil pH
The ideal soil pH for Thuja trees is 6.0 to 7.0, In case you need to adjust it, you can use lime to increase and sulfur to decrease as needed.
Design Considerations
Adding a Thuja tree can drastically uplift the look and feel of your space. Designing your space with Thuja in a container can take it to the next level. You can use taller varieties like the American Pillar Arborvitae to add some height and structure or add a color contrast by pairing your Thuja with flowering plants or contrasting foliage. For example, pairing the dense and vibrant green foliage of a Thuja Green Giant with the fiery orange and deep red fusion of the Japanese Stewartia.
Moreover, if you are looking to add some balance and symmetry, you can use matching containers and place them on either side of an entryway or pathway. The opportunities to create a unique space and feel are neverending, as you can continue to experiment by easily rearranging your containers.
Enhance Your Space with Thuja Gardens
Uplift your outdoor space today with Thuja Gardens. Explore their wide variety of quality Thuja trees and enjoy free nationwide delivery. They've been growing Thuja trees since 1999 and have the perfect tips and tricks to help you along your Thuja journey. Thuja Gardens also provides you with peace of mind with their 1-year 1-time replacement warranty. Get in touch today to get started on your Thuja journey.
