Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30m
Eventual Spread: 8m
Hardiness: USDA Zones 5b-9b
Family: Cupressaceae
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ is a long lived, slow growing evergreen coniferous tree with a conical habit. Its dark green leaves are scale like, shortly pointed, up to 3 mm long, forms flat sprays, are borne on growing lead shoots and smell of pineapple when crushed. Its leaves may become bronzed during the winter months. Its red/ brown bark is fibrous and sheds. Its red/ purple flowers are slender, broad pollen cones with thin overlapping leathery scales. Its fruit are cones, slender and upright, arising from a short stalk and initially green/ yellow become brown autumn.
The species Thuja plicata, commonly known as Western Red Cedar, is native to the northwestern United States and southwestern Canada.
The etymological root of the binomial name Thuja is derived from the Greek thuo meaning ‘to sacrifice’, in reference to the wood being burned with animal sacrifices by the ancient Greek to add a pleasing aroma to the fire. Plicata is derived from the Latin plicatus meaning ‘folded’ in reference to the pattern of its small leaves. Atrovirens is derived from the Latin ater meaning ‘dark coloured’ and virens meaning ‘herbage’.
The landscape architect may find Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ very useful as a slow growing evergreen hedging plant. The plant is also able to withstand maritime exposure.
Ecologically, Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ is attractive to scale insects and conifer aphids.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ Leaf (09/02/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including very alkali.
Thuja plicata ‘Atrovirens’ requires little maintenance. If being maintained as a hedge it should be trimmed once a year in early August.