thuja occ smaragd

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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Thuja occ smaragd, also known as Thuja 'Smaragd', Green Cedar, or Emerald Green Arborvitae, is a sought-after conifer for New Zealand gardens. Renowned for its vivid, emerald-green foliage and slender, upright habit, this cultivar brings structure and year-round colour to any landscape. Whether you're planning a formal hedge, adding privacy to your outdoor areas, or seeking an easy-care, evergreen feature, Thuja occ smaragd is a dependable and stylish choice.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

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Green Cedar, Emerald Cedar, Green Arborvitae

Thuja 'Smaragd', commonly known as the Green or Emerald Cedar, grows with a narrow, dense, and columnar habit. The foliage is rich green, sometimes tinged bronze in winter, and produced with a somewhat layered effect to give the plant an interesting texture. It typically grows to 7 m in height and 2.5 m in width in full sun.

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' hedge with bright green foliage.

Suited to regions:
All regions
Plant type:
Conifers
Height:
7.00 m
Spread:
2.50 m
Tolerances:
Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses:
Containers, Hedging, Screening
Garden styles:
Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Modern

More species and varieties of Thuja

Popular Conifer Trees

Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd' (Green Cedar)

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Why Choose Thuja occ smaragd?

Thuja 'Smaragd' stands out for its refined, naturally narrow pyramidal shape, making it perfect for tight spaces or formal lines. Unlike some larger conifers, it remains compact, typically reaching 3-4 metres tall in maturity, with minimal pruning required. The glossy green foliage keeps its fresh appearance through every season, resisting browning even in winter.

This hardy conifer is also popular due to its resilience in varied planting sites. Thuja occ smaragd thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to a range of well-draining soils. It’s notably disease and pest resistant, making it an easy-going favourite among both novice and experienced gardeners.

Perfect Applications for New Zealand Gardens

Green Cedar’s manageable size and lush foliage make it ideal for:

Privacy hedges and boundary screens
Low-maintenance foundation plantings
Elegant accent plants in formal gardens
Windbreaks for exposed sites
Evergreen backdrops for mixed borders

If you’re looking for more unique Thuja or alternative screening conifers, consider exploring Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' for its narrow columnar form, or the vigorous Thuja 'Green Giant' for taller privacy barriers. Varieties such as Thuja occidentalis Holmstrup and Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' also offer unique foliage colours and textures suitable for creative garden designs.

Planting and Care Tips

Plant Thuja occ smaragd in spring or autumn for best results. Space plants 60-90 centimetres apart for quick screening. Water regularly during dry spells until established, then enjoy its drought-tolerant nature. Apply a slow-release fertiliser in early spring, and mulch well to maintain moisture and suppress weeds. Only light pruning is needed to maintain its natural, elegant silhouette.

Complementary Conifers and Alternatives

Thuja occ smaragd pairs beautifully with a range of conifers for layered hedging or interesting foliage contrasts. Consider companions such as Thuja plicata, the golden-tinged Thuja plicata Old Gold (Thuja Old Gold), or silver-blue Picea pungens Glauca. For different shapes and textures, try architectural Juniperus 'Skyrocket', classic Pinus radiata (Pine Tree), or striking Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'.

Thuja occ smaragd’s evergreen vibrancy and reliability make it a top pick for New Zealand landscapes seeking lush privacy, structure, and year-round interest.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.