Rheingold Arborvitae

Virtues: We love 'Rheingold' arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold') because it is a dwarf evergreen shrub with gold-green foliage that turns bronze-yellow in winter.

Common name: 'Rheingold' arborvitae

Botanical name:Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold'

Foliage: Flat fans of tiny scaly leaves that are golden green in summer and yellowish bronze in winter.

Habit: Dwarf rounded evergreen shrub, 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.

Season: Year-round. Particularly good for winter interest.

Origin: Selection of Thuja occidentalis, or American arborvitae, which is native to the northeast quarter of North America.

Cultivation: Grow in full sun or partial shade. Protect from afternoon sun in the southern reaches of its hardiness. Protect from winter winds. Prefers average to moist but well-drained soil. Does not tolerate drought or dry soils.Responds well to regular shearing, making it a good choice for a low hedge. USDA Zones 2–7.
Image courtesy the Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder.
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Design a year-round backbone for your garden with Great Landscape Evergreens.

Learn how to trim arborvitae and more in The Pruning of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

Find evergreens of all shapes and sizes in Gardening With Conifers by renowned plantsman Adrian Bloom.