Other Names:  syn. Thuja koreana

Brand:  Iseli Nursery

Description:

A graceful small tree featuring large, flat sprays of blue-green foliage that is silvery-blue underneath; branches cascade in a random fashion; ideal as a landscape accent; provide afternoon shade in hot summer climates; protect from drying winter winds

Ornamental Features

Blue Korean Arborvitae is primarily valued in the landscape for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive bluish-green foliage with silvery blue undersides and tinges of powder blue which emerges green in spring. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Blue Korean Arborvitae is an open evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Blue Korean Arborvitae is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Shade

Planting & Growing

Blue Korean Arborvitae will grow to be about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. You may want to keep it away from hot, dry locations that receive direct afternoon sun or which get reflected sunlight, such as against the south side of a white wall. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.