SPRING GROVE Thuja
Best fast-growing evergreen for gardeners needing deer-resistant privacy screens.
The SPRING GROVE® Thuja, also known as Western Arborvitae, is a vastly improved evergreen shrub perfect for creating privacy screens. It boasts a faster growth rate than standard arborvitaes and offers excellent resistance to deer browsing. Its glossy, green foliage maintains a tight, pyramidal habit and retains its color through winter. This versatile shrub looks stunning as a backdrop for perennial gardens or as a natural screen. It is cold-hardy to zone 5, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
$21.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1635
/ 2688
#1635 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-44%
Below average
Botanical Name
Thuja plicata ‘Grovepli’
/ Thuja plicata ‘Grovepli’
Who it's for
- Homeowners seeking immediate backyard privacy and wind protection
- Impatient gardeners wanting a mature landscape look quickly
- Busy individuals preferring a low-effort, set-it-and-forget-it landscape
Who should skip it
- Residents in regions with harsh, drying winter winds
- Gardeners living in areas with high deer populations
- Owners unable to monitor plants for seasonal pest infestations
Performance breakdown
Privacy Screening Potential
Dense, pyramidal growth creates an effective, year-round natural barrier.
Growth Velocity
Outpaces standard arborvitae varieties for faster landscape establishment.
Deer Resistance
Significantly less prone to browsing than traditional evergreen alternatives.
Winter Hardiness
Maintains vibrant color and structural integrity through harsh sub-zero temperatures.
Foliage Quality
Glossy, rich green needles provide a premium aesthetic year-round.
Maintenance Requirements
Naturally tight habit minimizes the need for frequent structural pruning.
Key Specs
Botanical Name
Thuja plicata ‘Grovepli’
Common Name
Arborvitae Western
Plant Type
Shrub
Brand
PROVEN WINNERS® COLORCHOICE® Flowering Shrubs
Hardiness Zones
5, 6, 7, 8
Max Height
20 – 30 Feet
Max Spread
8 – 10 Feet
Exposure
Full Sun (+6 hrs.), Part Shade (4-6 hrs.)
Features
- Cold Hardy
- Fast Growing
- Excellent Deer Resistance
- Vastly improved arborvitae
- Makes a beautiful privacy screen
- Glossy, green foliage
- Tight, pyramidal habit
- Maintains excellent winter color
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the SPRING GROVE Thuja for its exceptional quality and robust health upon arrival, often noting its vibrant appearance and strong root systems. Many appreciate its remarkable reliability, highlighting how easily it establishes and thrives in various garden settings with minimal fuss. This thuja is frequently celebrated for its consistent growth and ability to maintain its attractive form, making it a dependable choice for adding year round structure and beauty to landscapes. Its proven hardiness contributes significantly to overall satisfaction.
Know before you buy
The SPRING GROVE is specifically bred for a faster growth rate than standard arborvitae varieties, making it an efficient choice for establishing a privacy screen. While exact speed depends on your local soil and climate, it is designed to reach its mature height of 20 to 30 feet more quickly than traditional alternatives.
This variety is noted for its excellent resistance to deer browsing. While no plant is entirely deer-proof, the SPRING GROVE is significantly less likely to be targeted by deer compared to other common arborvitae species.
One of the primary improvements of this variety is its ability to maintain its rich, glossy green color throughout the winter months. It avoids the dull, bronzed appearance common in many other evergreens during the colder season.
Given that this shrub reaches a mature spread of 8 to 10 feet, you should space them according to how quickly you want the screen to close. For a solid, dense wall, planting them approximately 6 to 8 feet apart on center is generally recommended.
Yes, the SPRING GROVE is cold-hardy down to USDA zone 5, meaning it can withstand winter temperatures as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a reliable choice for gardeners in northern regions looking for a durable evergreen.
For the best growth and foliage density, this shrub performs best in full sun, which is defined as six or more hours of direct sunlight per day. It can also tolerate part shade, though you may notice a slightly less dense habit compared to those grown in full sun.
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