Thuja p. 'Golden Spire' #3

Thuja plicata 'Golden Spire' (syn. 'Daniellow')

A PlantHaven introduction that's nothing short of spectacular—this western red cedar brings rich golden yellow foliage with soft orange overtones to the landscape year-round. Unlike many golden conifers that bronze or fade in winter, 'Golden Spire' maintains its brilliant color through the coldest months, seeming to glow against dull winter backdrops. The aromatic, scale-like foliage is arranged in dense sprays that create a soft, fuzzy texture on a tight conical habit that becomes more columnar with age. Winner of a Silver Medal at Plantarium 2006, this cultivar intensifies to deeper gold in full sun and heat, making it even more vibrant through summer. As a sport of 'Gelderland', it does not suffer from sunburn and maintains excellent foliage quality. Upright branches withstand heavy snowfall without breaking, and the dense branching creates an elegant spire without any pruning required. Thrives in full sun to part shade in well-drained, average to moist soils. Once established, it's drought tolerant. As a western red cedar, it's significantly more deer resistant than eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), though young plants may benefit from protection. Perfect as a dramatic focal point, colorful accent, or planted in groups for a stunning low-maintenance hedge or screen. Provides shelter and nesting cover for birds. Hardy to -20°F.

Why We Love It: That luminous golden glow in the dead of winter is pure magic—it's like bottled sunshine when you need it most!