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Plant Description:
- Thuja occidentalis "Compacta" is a cultivar of the species Thuja occidentalis, also known as the American arborvitae or white cedar. It is an evergreen coniferous tree or shrub that is commonly used as a hedge or privacy screen. It is a slow-growing plant that reaches a mature height of about 4-5 feet, with a spread of 2-3 feet. The foliage is a bright green color and the needles are scale-like. It is hardy in zones 3-7 and does well in full sun to partial shade. The plant is relatively tolerant of drought, salt, and pollution. The plant is also known to have a good resistance to disease and pests.
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Growing tips:
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Thuja occidentalis "Compacta" is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to care for.
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Light: This plant prefers full sun to partial shade, but can also tolerate some shade.
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Water: The plant is relatively drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil. During dry spells, it may benefit from an occasional deep watering.
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Fertilizer: You do not need to fertilize the plant, but if you decide to you can use a slow-release fertilizer in spring.
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Pruning: You can prune the plant in spring or early summer if necessary. Prune only the tips of the branches to maintain the plant's natural shape and size.
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Soil: The plant is adaptable to a wide range of soils but prefers a slightly acid soil with a pH of 6.5-7.5.
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winter protection: In areas with very cold winters, the plant may benefit from some additional protection, such as burlap wrapped around the base of the plant.
Overall, the compacta variety is known for being a very sturdy plant and easy to care for, it is good for hedging, low maintenance gardens and for those that want an evergreen privacy screen.
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Benefits:
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Thuja occidentalis "Compacta" is a versatile plant that offers a variety of benefits. Some of the key benefits include:
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Privacy screen: The dense, evergreen foliage of the plant makes it an excellent choice for creating a natural privacy screen or hedge.
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Low maintenance: The plant is easy to care for and does not require a lot of attention or maintenance.
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Drought-tolerant: The plant is relatively drought-tolerant and can survive with minimal watering, making it a good choice for low-water gardens.
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Disease and pest resistant: The plant is known to have a good resistance to disease and pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
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Adaptability: The plant can adapt to a wide range of soils and growing conditions.
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Wildlife habitat: The plant can provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife species such as birds, butterflies and small mammals.
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Ornamental value: The bright green foliage and compact habit of the plant make it an attractive addition to the landscape.
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Versatility: The plant is versatile and can be used in a variety of different applications such as hedging, foundation plantings, and as an accent plant.
It is also used as a source of lumber, used in traditional medicine, and commonly grown in home gardens as a ornamental plant.
