Virginian Arborvitae

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

14 Feet

Mature Spread

6 Feet

Growing Zones

5 to 8

Virginian™ Arborvitae gives the speed and screening power of Green Giant, but in a narrower plant that fits more landscapes without constant trimming. Thuja plicata x standishii 'BFC68' matures around 15 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, building a dense upright pyramid. Its soft, dark green foliage stays handsome through winter. We often recommend this one for customers who want a fast evergreen hedge but do not want pruning to become part of the plan.

This coniferous evergreen is a sport of Green Giant, selected for its more compact habit, improved cold hardiness, and slightly pendulous branch tips that soften the outline. Virginian™ Arborvitae grows fast, often adding 2 feet or more a year once established, while keeping a naturally full, feathery look from top to bottom. It handles heat, humidity, cold, and a wide range of soils better than other arborvitae. 

The smaller frame of Virginian™ Arborvitae makes it suitable for tighter side yards and foundation corners where a full-sized screen would quickly feel oversized. The evergreen foliage is lightly aromatic and birds use the branches for cover. Use it as a specimen, a formal row, a privacy screen, or a living windbreak where you need height without the bulk of a wider arborvitae.

Virginian™ Arborvitae Care

Plant Virginian™ Arborvitae in full sun to part shade in average, evenly moist, well-drained soil with an acidic to slightly alkaline pH. It adapts to clay, loam, sand, and silt; heavy clay should be loosened so water can move through more freely. In hotter climates, a bit of afternoon shade can help the foliage stay fresher through peak summer heat.

Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season, especially in warm weather. Reduce frequency as the root system settles in. Once established, it handles dry spells fairly well, although steady moisture supports faster growth and a denser screen. One spring application of slow-release tree and shrub fertilizer is recommended. 

Pruning is rarely needed, which is one of the main reasons to choose this plant in the first place. If shaping is necessary, trim only the current season’s new growth in late spring or early summer rather than cutting into older wood. Mulch around the root zone to help moderate soil moisture and temperature, but keep the mulch pulled back from the trunk.

Virginian™ Arborvitae Spacing

Space plants 4.5 to 5 feet apart for a solid privacy screen, or 10 feet or more apart when using them as individual accents. For containers, use a large planter at least 24 inches wide and deep, since this is best treated as a long-term feature rather than a temporary filler.

Pair Virginian™ Arborvitae with boxwoods and weigela for a layered in-ground planting that balances evergreen structure with seasonal bloom. In large containers or entry plantings, use alyssum and coleus around the base to soften the lower edge while the arborvitae keeps its clean vertical form.

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