Thuja occi 'Smaragd' (Emerald) 12L

'Smaragd', meaning "emerald" in Danish, is one of the most popular conifers for a neat, formal evergreen screen, and for good reason. It forms a tidy, narrow cone of dense, bright green foliage sprays and keeps its fresh colour right through winter, without the bronzing seen in many other thujas. It raised in Denmark. It needs very little clipping to hold its shape. That makes it an excellent choice for a smart, low-maintenance hedge, a pair of sentinels flanking a doorway or gate, or a vertical accent in a border or large container.

Plant in moist but well-drained soil in full sun. It grows happily on chalk, clay, loam or sand. Growth is fairly slow, reaching around 1.5–2.5m in 10–20 years, although older plants can eventually grow taller. For a hedge, space plants 60–80cm apart. Water regularly through the first couple of years, especially in dry spells, because young plants that dry out can drop foliage and brown. A mulch around the base helps keep the roots moist. Protect young plants from cold, drying winds. Trim lightly in late spring and again in late summer if needed, but avoid cutting back into old, bare wood, as it won't regrow. Like all thujas, the foliage is aromatic and can irritate sensitive skin, and it is harmful if eaten, so wear gloves when clipping.

Each plant is hand-selected before dispatch.

Available from Pengelly Garden Centre.