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RedCrocus Thuja Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Live Plant - Golden Columnar Evergreen for Hedges & Foundations, Cold-Hardy, Low Maintenance 2 Gallon Nursery Pot

RedCrocus Thuja Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Live Plant - Golden Columnar Evergreen for Hedges & Foundations, Cold-Hardy, Low Maintenance 2 Gallon Nursery Pot

Regular price $180.00 USD
Regular price $234.00 USD Sale price $180.00 USD
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SKU:ber6fb6-redcrocus

Pot Size

Thuja Yellow Ribbon

Evergreen Conifer • Narrow, Upright Habit
Year-round golden foliage on a space-saving arborvitae ideal for hedges, accents, and mixed borders.
Description

Thuja Yellow Ribbon is an upright, narrow selection of American arborvitae prized for its vibrant golden-yellow new growth that softens to chartreuse through the season. The finely textured, scale-like foliage holds color well in winter, lending brightness to cold-climate landscapes when most plants are dormant.

With a naturally tidy, columnar form and moderate growth, Yellow Ribbon is a reliable choice for foundation plantings, entry accents, and privacy screens where space is limited. It thrives in full sun with consistent moisture and tolerates a range of soils, making it an easy, low-maintenance evergreen for four-season structure.

Suggested Uses
Narrow Privacy Screen Foundation Planting Accent / Specimen Mixed Shrub Border Formal Hedge Entryway Flankers Four-Season Structure Containers (large)
Quick Facts
Plant Details
Botanical Name icon
Botanical Name Thuja Yellow Ribbon
Common Name icon
Common Name Thuja Yellow Ribbon (Arborvitae)
Size and Growth icon
Size & Growth Typically 10–15 ft tall × 3–5 ft wide; naturally narrow, pyramidal/columnar habit.
Hardiness Zones icon
Hardiness Zones USDA Zones 3–7 (cold-hardy; protect from desiccating winter winds).
Foliage Type icon
Foliage Type Evergreen, scale-like sprays; golden-yellow new growth, chartreuse to green-yellow in winter.
Bloom Time icon
Bloom Time Not applicable; inconspicuous cones rather than flowers (ornamentally insignificant).
Growth Rate icon
Growth Rate Moderate; about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year under good conditions.
Light Requirements icon
Light Requirements Full sun for best golden color; tolerates light shade (color may reduce in shade).
Attracts Pollinators icon
Attracts Pollinators Not a pollinator plant; provides shelter and nesting cover for birds and beneficials.
Indoor Friendly icon
Indoor Friendly No; best grown outdoors. Needs full sun, air movement, and seasonal cues.
Container Friendly icon
Container Friendly Yes, in large containers for several years; ensure consistent moisture and winter protection for roots.
Deer Resistant icon
Deer Resistant No; deer may browse foliage, especially in winter—protect with fencing or repellents where pressure is high.
Pet Warning icon
Pet Warning Generally considered non-toxic; ingestion of large amounts may cause mild GI upset. Keep prunings away from pets.
Fragrant icon
Fragrant Foliage has a mild, resinous scent when crushed; not a floral fragrance.
Cut Flower icon
Cut Flower Not for flowers; foliage sprigs can be used as evergreen filler in arrangements and winter décor.
Grows Well With icon
Grows Well With Hydrangea paniculata, Spirea, Boxwood, dwarf Junipers, Ninebark, Coneflower, Daylily, and hardy ornamental grasses.
Note: Also sold as Thuja occidentalis ‘Yellow Ribbon’. Color intensity improves with stronger sun and good nutrition.
Care Tips
Planting Instructions icon
Planting Instructions Plant in spring or early fall. Dig a hole 2× the width of the root ball and equal depth. Set the root flare at or slightly above soil level, backfill with native soil, and water thoroughly to settle.
Soil Moisture icon
Soil Moisture Keep evenly moist—never soggy. Do not allow to dry out, especially the first 2 years. Apply 2–3 in. mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk.
Soil Type icon
Soil Type Fertile, well-drained loam is ideal; tolerates clay if drainage is acceptable. pH slightly acidic to neutral (approx. 6.0–7.5).
Humidity icon
Humidity Average outdoor humidity. In windy, exposed sites, provide windbreaks to reduce winter burn and desiccation.
Pruning Instructions icon
Pruning Instructions Minimal pruning needed. Lightly shear in late winter or early spring to refine shape; avoid cutting into old wood. Remove dead or damaged stems as needed.
Winter Care icon
Winter Care Water deeply before ground freezes. Mulch root zone and consider burlap wrapping in very windy or south-facing exposures to prevent scorch. Brush off heavy snow to avoid breakage.
Planting Depth icon
Planting Depth Position so the top of the root flare is level with or 1–2 in. above the surrounding soil. Do not bury the trunk or cover with mulch.
Fertilization icon
Fertilization Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen late in the season. A soil test helps fine-tune rates and pH.
Special Care icon
Special Care Space 3–4 ft apart for a tight hedge. Monitor for bagworms and spider mites; treat early if detected. Protect from road salt spray. In containers, insulate pots or move to a sheltered, unheated area for winter.
Watering rule of thumb: 1–1.5 in. per week from rain or irrigation during the first two growing seasons; adjust for heat and soil type.
Placement & Spacing

Hedge spacing: 3–4 ft on center for a dense screen; single specimens can be given 4–5 ft of width for best form and airflow.

Sun exposure: Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun for strongest golden color and dense branching.

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