Thuja, Arborvitae 'North Pole'
Best narrow evergreen for creating privacy in compact garden spaces.
The North Pole® Arborvitae is a striking evergreen shrub, celebrated for its narrow, upright columnar form, making it ideal for smaller gardens or as a refined screening plant. It maintains a dense, dark green foliage color throughout the year, even through harsh winters, and is notably resistant to winter burn. This cultivar offers a more compact alternative to 'Emerald Green' Arborvitae, requiring minimal maintenance for year-round elegance and structure. Its hardiness and attractive appearance make it a standout choice for adding vertical interest and enduring beauty to any landscape.
$33.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-14%
Below average
Shrub Type
Evergreen
/ Evergreen
Who it's for
- Urban gardeners needing vertical accents in tight, narrow spaces
- Northern homeowners seeking winter-hardy plants that resist browning
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance, year-round privacy screens
Who should skip it
- Gardeners living in areas with high deer populations
- Impatient landscapers needing an instant, fast-growing privacy hedge
- Owners with poorly drained or extremely dry soil conditions
Performance breakdown
Winter Hardiness
Exceptional resistance to winter burn ensures foliage stays vibrant all year.
Space Efficiency
Narrow columnar habit fits perfectly into tight garden corners and borders.
Maintenance Ease
Requires minimal pruning to maintain its clean, upright architectural shape.
Screening Utility
Dense growth provides a reliable, year-round privacy barrier for landscapes.
Environmental Adaptability
Thrives across a wide range of zones with moderate water needs.
Vertical Impact
Provides striking height without overwhelming smaller residential garden footprints.
Key Specs
Shrub Type
Evergreen
Height
10' - 15'
Spread
3' - 5'
Spacing
60 - 84 Inches
Hardiness Zones
3a-8b
Light Requirement
Part Sun to Sun
Water Category
Average
Growth Habit
Upright columnar
Features
- Narrow columnar habit fits small spaces.
- Year-round dark green foliage.
- Resistant to winter burn.
- Low maintenance required.
- Excellent for screening or specimen.
- Adds vertical interest to landscapes.
- Hardy and adaptable.
- Provides four-season appeal.
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly celebrate the 'North Pole' Arborvitae for its exceptionally narrow, columnar habit, making it ideal for tight spaces and vertical accents. Reviewers consistently praise the superior quality of the stock received, noting plants arrive healthy and well rooted, ensuring high initial success. A key driver of satisfaction is the plant's proven cold hardiness and excellent winter color retention, even in colder zones. While the price is premium, the consensus is that the reliable growth and unique, desirable shape fully justify the investment, offering strong value. This evergreen is viewed as a high performing and aesthetically superior choice.
Know before you buy
The North Pole is a more compact, improved cultivar that is specifically bred to be more resistant to winter burn. It maintains a tighter, more uniform columnar shape than 'Emerald Green' while holding its deep green color better throughout the colder months.
Yes, the North Pole Arborvitae is exceptionally hardy and thrives in USDA zones 3a through 8b. It is specifically noted for its ability to withstand harsh winters without suffering from the foliage browning often seen in other evergreens.
For a dense, continuous privacy screen, space your plants 60 to 84 inches apart, measured from the center of one plant to the center of the next. This allows enough room for the 3 to 5-foot spread while ensuring the foliage eventually touches to create a solid wall.
No, the North Pole Arborvitae is naturally low-maintenance and keeps its narrow, columnar habit without the need for regular pruning. Its structural integrity is one of its primary benefits, making it an excellent choice for a formal look with minimal effort.
Yes, this shrub performs well in both full sun and partial sun. While it will grow most vigorously in full sun, it is adaptable enough to handle partial shade, provided the soil remains well-drained.
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