Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja plicata x standishii 'Green Giant' is a superior Arborvitae from the U.S. National Arboretum that will grow to 60' or more in height, at the fantastic rate of up to 3' a year! All this while keeping its glossy, green color in winter and maintaining a tight and uniform, conical shape. One tree makes an impressive specimen but many planted together will become a fast-growing, year-round, living screen or hedge. Widely adaptable to different soils and resistant to pests and diseases. No wonder 'Green Giant' won the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Gold Medal Plant Award in 1998.

Although a small genus of six evergreen Conifers native to North America and East Asia, Thuja is important as a source of timber and ornamental trees and shrubs. You might know the weather-resistant wood of White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis) and Western Red Cedar (T. plicata) as the material of choice for fence posts, shingles, greenhouses, and other outdoor structures. A great number of varieties are available, selected for unusual form, color, texture, or growth rate, and are useful as specimen trees or in hedges, or in the case of dwarf forms, in rock gardens and foundation plantings. Grow in average to moist, well-drained soil.

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.

We want our customers to receive strong, healthy plants that are ready to thrive in their gardens and homes. Here's what we'd like you to know about our shipping practices.

Delivery Timing

We aim to deliver your plants at as close to the proper time for planting in your area as possible. To do so, we consider the USDA Hardiness Zone to which we're shipping, current and forecasted weather at the destination and along the shipping route, and whether your plants are ready for transplant.

In spring, we ship first to the warmest regions and move north as planting conditions improve. For fall deliveries, we begin with the coolest regions and work south. We frequently adjust shipping schedules when extreme weather could put plants at risk while in transit or soon after arrival.

Because different plants reach readiness at different rates and are weather-sensitive in varying degree, a single order may be delivered via multiple shipments. Plants sold as part of a collection, or that are otherwise meant to arrive together, will be shipped together. Please contact our customer service team with two weeks' advance notice if you anticipate being away at the expected time of delivery. 

Tracking information for each package is delivered via email. 

Plant & Container Sizes

We deliver plants in various sizes and stages of growth, and the product detail pages of our website indicate the form and/or pot size in which the plant will be delivered. Pot sizes range from 1 pint to 1 gallon and larger. Many perennials, roses, shrubs and vines are delivered bareroot - that is, not in a container at all. Bulbs and tubers are generally delivered bareroot and fully dormant. We choose container sizes and delivery methods based on how each plant grows best, how we can minimize transplant shock, and how to minimize unnecessary bulk/weight in shipment. 

Caring for Your Plants Upon Arrival

It is important to acclimate greenhouse-grown plants to life outdoors. All plant shipments include simple instructions for handling your plants upon arrival. Further how-to information, including planting instructions, is available on each plant's product page.

Latin Name Pronunciation: thoo'yuh    

Although a small genus of evergreen Conifers native to North America and East Asia, Thuja is important as a source of timber and ornamental trees and shrubs. A great number of varieties are available, selected for unusual form, color, texture, or growth rate, and are useful as specimen trees or in hedges.

Light: Full sun.

Soil: Prefers average to moist, well-drained soil.

Watering: The key to getting your new shrub or tree off to a good start is moisture. Water thoroughly after planting, and keep a close eye on the plant over the following week. Then, give it a good soaking once a week during summer, unless rainfall is plentiful (more than 1″ per week). Established plants can generally get by on less water, but most grow best if the soil remains evenly moist.

Fertilizer: We recommend against fertilizing at planting time and during the first growing season in your garden. Plants need time to settle in before being pushed to grow. Most established plants grow best if fertilized with a light hand. Here at the Farm, we fertilize our specimen trees just once—in early spring—with a light but even coverage of a balanced, granular fertilizer.

Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any browned growth. Heavy pruning is seldom needed.

At White Flower Farm, we stand firmly behind every product we sell and are proud to offer a money-back guarantee on each and every item offered on our website and at our store in Connecticut. Some modest terms and conditions apply, click here for details.

Should you have any questions about how our guarantee applies to a particular product or circumstance, our customer service team will be happy to help – please contact us at (800) 411-6159 or [email protected].