Thuja plicata Junior Giant (Arborvitae)

'Junior Giant' is a hybrid cultivar of Thuja plicata, western redcedar, and Thuja standishii, Japanese arborvitae just like the famous 'Green Giant.' This 'junior' cultivar is just like the smaller cousin of the 'Green Giant' and maintains the best of both cultivars in one form: a low-branching, dense, upright habit with dense green sprays of finely textured scaly green fragrant foliage that remains attractive through the winter and prevents deer damage. Just like 'Green Giant,' the 'Junior Giant' cultivar also has an incredibly fast growth rate, adding 2-3' of height (or more!) per year! With their compact size and super-fast growth rate, nothing says instant privacy screen like 'Junior Giant' arborvitaes.

Under optimal conditions, 'Junior Giant' typically grows to a mature size of 15-20' tall with a spread of only 3-6' wide, perfect for medium to large hedges, privacy screens, and wind breaks. Though often used for marking boundaries and adding privacy, 'Junior Giant' works beautifully as a specimen tree, and provides the perfect centerpiece to a bird garden or pollinator garden where its evergreen foliage lends texture and color all year round. Like other arborvitaes, 'Junior Giant' can also handle partial shade without getting too sparse, adding even more versatility to its tolerance of a wide range of soil types and moisture levels.