Amber Gold Arborvitae

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

12 - 15 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

This evergreen will add color and vibrancy to your landscape all year round, with lime-green foliage during the warmer months that transitions to spectacular amber and gold during the winter. The foliage also has a unique, eye-catching texture that emphasizes the yellow edging on the lime green fronds. The surface of the foliage is much less refined than other varieties and wonderfully contrasts the shrub's elegant form. With an exceptionally well-behaved growth habit, this arborvitae is incredibly low maintenance, especially once mature and established.

The Amber Gold Arborvitae carries the traditional evergreen scent through your landscape. It has a conventional columnar form with a slightly pointed top that adds a classic pyramidal backdrop for other plants. It grows at a medium to slow rate and lives for about 30 years. Reaching 12 to 15 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide, it makes a perfect statement plant that will ensure your privacy and add beauty to your landscape.

Amber Gold Arborvitae Care

Plant this shrub in an area that receives full sun; if your landscape has limited sun, this variety can also tolerate partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil organically enriched with compost or decomposed manure instead of adding fertilizers when planting. Synthetic fertilizers can cause root burn on young arborvitae plants. Compost is ideal for adding nutrients to aid in growth and development. When mature, add fertilizer once a year in the spring before new growth starts to assist in foliage development. Take care to apply the fertilizer above the roots but away from the plant's trunk. 

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry until the shrub is adequately established. After being established, only water during dry spells and hot summers.

Prune damaged, diseased, or unsightly branches from this shrub during any season. This shrub should naturally maintain an attractive form, but feel free to trim the branches as needed to maintain size.

Amber Gold Arborvitae Spacing

Amber Gold is ideal as a border hedge or privacy screen. If planting this shrub in a group, space individual plants 4 to 5 feet apart for proper development.