Botanical Name: Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold'
Common Name: Conifer

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Conifer
Flower Colour : None
Foliage Colour : Golden Yellow
Best Season : Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Hardy
Attributes : Provides year round interest
Height (m) : 0.50 - 0.60
Spread (m) : 0.50
    
Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' is a charming conifer. In summer, its yellow foliage is tipped with pink and bronze. As winter approaches its unusual colouring is intensified by the degree of cold. It should never be left out of any conifer grouping. It's magnificent for foreground planting and rock or pebble gardens. Also suitable for small townhouse gardens.

 

Notes : Conifers are constant, lending structure and depth of colour to the garden in every season of the year. Their dense evergreen foliage has an amazing range of different sizes, shapes and colours.

 

The soil should be well drained and reasonably fertile - add plenty of slightly acid compost to sandy or clay soils to improve their texture. Will thrive in an open, sunny to lightly shaded position. The golden varieties need full sun to show their best colours, but the blues and the silvers are often better in semi-shade, particularly in the hotter areas. Keep well watered during dry spells, especially in summer. Little pruning is necessary. Propagate by means of tip cuttings (5 - 7.5 centimetres long) taken during mid to late winter. Root best in sharp sand, under mist with bottom heat if possible.