Thuja orientalis Seeds | Oriental Arborvitae
LATIN NAME: Thuja orientalis
COMMON NAME: Oriental Arborvitae
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Oriental Arborvitae (Thuja orientalis) is a compact, evergreen conifer in the cypress family. Plant steadily develops a narrow, conical crown, often reaching 5-10 metres. It is content in sun or light shade and well-drained soil. At maturity it stands about 5-10 metres. Bees find the flowers quickly, and that pollinator traffic is a garden benefit in its own right. Taken as a whole, it is a plant that repays a little attention many times over.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the cypress family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. The Chinese arborvitae has a genuine and distinguished place in both botanical and applied research. A long cultivation history means growers know what to expect from it.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Oriental Arborvitae earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, the Chinese arborvitae is a generous tree of garden and the grove. Its dense, evergreen crown gives shelter for birds, and its cones feed small mammals, while it has been a noble presence at temples and tombs of China for centuries. For a grower, the Chinese arborvitae is a hardy and dependable tree, and for a gardener it brings dense, evergreen beauty and a long history. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Arborvitae is a premier hedge conifer; its thujone-rich oil limits internal use to professional territory, while its name, tree of life, recalls the vitamin-C tea that saved early explorers.
Growing from Seed
Oriental Arborvitae grows readily from seed. Broadcast the seed thinly over a fine, free-draining compost, sieve a little more compost on top, and water with a fine rose. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Its long record of traditional use, described above, gives the plant a story beyond ornament. Oriental Arborvitae is the kind of plant that rewards a permanent spot. Its wants are few — a sunny spot, soil that drains, and time to settle in.
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