• Tall green shrub of Thuja Smaragd in a black bag on a gravel surface with greenery in the background.
  • Close-up of green foliage of Emerald Green Arborvitae with a blurred natural background
  • Close-up of a green bush of Thuja Smargd with detailed foliage
  • Close-up of green foliage of Thuja Smargd with a blurred background
1 4

Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd

Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd

Emerald Cedar, Emerald Green Arborvitae, Smaragd Thuja, Emerald Cedar

$125.00
$125.00
Sale Sold out
Taxes included.
Pot Size/Grade

Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’, commonly known as Emerald Green Arborvitae, is one of the world’s most popular hedging and screening conifers. Valued for its dense emerald-green foliage, naturally narrow growth habit and exceptional year-round appearance, Smaragd creates an elegant formal hedge with minimal maintenance.

Unlike many conifers that bronze or brown during winter, Thuja Smaragd retains its rich emerald-green colour throughout the year, making it an excellent choice for privacy screening, boundary planting and formal landscape designs. Its naturally upright pyramidal shape means it requires far less trimming than many traditional hedge plants while still providing a dense, tidy appearance.

Originating from Denmark, where it was selected for its superior colour and form, Smaragd has become a favourite throughout New Zealand for creating evergreen privacy screens and shelter. It performs exceptionally well in both urban and rural settings and is often used to create living walls, avenue plantings and formal garden features.

Fast-growing, hardy and easy to maintain, Thuja Smaragd is one of the best choices available when an instant hedge or long-term privacy screen is required.

Size guide for Thuja Smaragd

Grade

Approximate Height

3L

40–60cm 

PB18

1m

25L

1.3m

35L

1.5M

  • Expected 5 Year Height 4.0 M Width 1.0 M

Is Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd suitable for my garden?

Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd is best suited in a position that gets

  • Partial shade
  • Full sun

Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd is

  • Wind Tolerant
  • Frost Tolerant
  • Drought resistant
  • Fast-growing
  • Cold hardy
  • Evergreen

Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd will thrive in soil that is

  • Normal
  • Clay
  • Free draining

How to establish your Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd?

Position
Plant in full sun to partial shade. Full sun encourages the densest growth and strongest emerald-green colour.

Soil
Prefers fertile, well-drained soil but adapts well to most garden soils, including heavier clay soils provided drainage is reasonable.

Watering
Water regularly during establishment, particularly through the first summer. Once established, Thuja Smaragd is relatively drought tolerant but performs best with occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

Feeding
Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring to encourage healthy growth and dense foliage.

Spacing
For a dense hedge, plant approximately 60–80cm apart.
For a screening hedge where individual plants are preferred, plant 1–1.2m apart.

How to maintain your Thuja Occidentalis Smaragd once established?

One of the easiest hedge plants to maintain. Thuja Smaragd naturally grows in a tidy column and generally requires only light trimming once or twice per year.

Trim in late spring or early autumn if shaping is required. Avoid cutting back into old bare wood as regrowth can be slow.

Mulching around the base will help retain soil moisture and reduce weed competition during establishment.
View full details