Adding Colorful Arborvitae

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.

Evergreens don’t have to be—just green. Add a bit of seasonal color with one of these arborvitaes.

The new growth on Ember Waves Western arborvitae start out a sunny yellow. They mature to chartreuse and eventually a bright green for the summer. In fall watch as the needles turn deep gold with orange to russet tips.

This upright evergreen is hardy in zones 5 to 8 and grows up to 25 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

For a smaller and more cold tolerant option that resists burn consider Anna’s Magic ball arborvitae. Hardy in zones 3 to 7 this small round plant only grows 15 to 18” tall and wide.

For something in between try Collen’s Gold oriental arborvitae.  Hardy in zones 5 to 9 this narrow upright plant grows up to 10’ tall and 3’ wide. The plant has yellow-orange foliage that may turn bronze for the winter.

A bit more information:  You can also find cream tipped evergreens like Gentsch white hemlock and some with blue-green foliage like Montgomery blue spruce.  Visit your local nursery to discover the wide variety of small and large evergreens suited to your region.

For more gardening tips, how-to videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com.