North Pole Arborvitae (Thuja)
Best narrow evergreen for creating privacy in small garden spaces.
Introducing the North Pole® Arborvitae, a compact evergreen shrub designed to fit even the tightest garden spaces. This cultivar boasts a naturally narrow, columnar growth habit, making it an excellent choice for privacy screens or as a striking vertical accent. It thrives in a variety of light conditions, from full sun to shade, and is adaptable to different soil types. As a top-selling Proven Winners ColorChoice selection, it offers year-round visual appeal with minimal upkeep, providing a low-maintenance, beautiful addition to your landscape.
$23.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
866
/ 2688
#866 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-39%
Below average
Botanical name
Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'
/ Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'
Who it's for
- Gardeners needing narrow screening for tight landscape spaces
- Homeowners in harsh climates seeking reliable winter hardiness
- Privacy seekers wanting consistent year-round evergreen coverage
Who should skip it
- Gardeners living in areas with high deer populations
- Busy homeowners unable to monitor for common garden pests
- Gardeners with poor soil drainage or inconsistent irrigation access
Performance breakdown
Space Efficiency
Columnar growth habit fits perfectly into narrow, tight garden footprints.
Maintenance Requirements
Naturally dense form eliminates the need for frequent, tedious pruning.
Environmental Adaptability
Thrives across diverse light conditions and varied soil types with ease.
Privacy Screening
Dense evergreen foliage creates a reliable, year-round natural sound barrier.
Hardiness Range
Robust performance across USDA zones three through eight ensures regional versatility.
Visual Impact
Striking vertical architecture provides consistent structure throughout all four seasons.
Key Specs
Botanical name
Thuja occidentalis 'Art Boe'
Patent #
PP 22,174
Common name
Arborvitae
USDA Hardiness Zones
3-8
Mature Height
10-15 feet
Mature Spread
3-5 feet
Growth Rate
Moderate
Bloom Season
Year-Round
Features
- Space-saving columnar form
- Hardy, fragrant evergreen foliage
- Naturally dense and narrow
- Adaptable to sun or shade
- Tolerates various soil conditions
- Low maintenance required
- Excellent for privacy screens
- Native selection
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly value the North Pole Arborvitae for its exceptional reliability and perfect shape, especially in cold climates. Reviewers consistently praise its narrow columnar growth, which significantly reduces the need for pruning. Its robust cold hardiness and strong resistance to winter burn make it a top choice for challenging zones. The dense, dark green foliage offers excellent year-round screening potential, even in small spaces. While the initial cost is higher, satisfaction remains high because the plant delivers proven, low-maintenance performance and consistent health, justifying the premium investment for a dependable evergreen.
Know before you buy
To create a continuous privacy screen, space your North Pole Arborvitae approximately 3 to 4 feet apart, measuring from the center of one trunk to the next. This allows enough room for the plants to grow together without overcrowding.
Yes, the North Pole Arborvitae is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8, meaning it is well-equipped to handle cold winters and snow loads. Its dense, columnar structure helps it resist damage from heavy snow accumulation.
No, this cultivar is naturally columnar and dense, so it does not require regular pruning to maintain its shape. You can leave it to grow in its natural form, which is one of the reasons it is considered a low-maintenance selection.
Yes, it is container-friendly. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and is large enough to accommodate the root ball, as you will need to keep the soil consistently moist.
While it is adaptable to partial shade, it performs best in full sun to partial sun. If planted in deep shade, the foliage may become less dense and the growth rate will likely slow down.
Like many Thuja varieties, the North Pole Arborvitae can be attractive to deer, especially in winter when other food sources are scarce. If you live in an area with a high deer population, you may need to use protective netting or repellent sprays.
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$24