Tall Guy Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Tall Guy') elevates any garden with its striking, upright silhouette and rich green foliage that stays lush throughout the year. Reaching heights of 8 to 12 feet and spreading 2 to 3 feet wide, this arborvitae provides a commanding presence without overwhelming smaller spaces. Its dense, columnar form ensures a polished and structured look, making it an excellent alternative to traditional, more sprawling arborvitae varieties. The consistent bright green color enhances both formal and informal garden designs, offering a reliable evergreen foundation for your landscape.
This versatile evergreen shrub thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8. Native to Northeast North America, Tall Guy Arborvitae is built to withstand diverse environmental conditions, including resistance to Passalora/Cercospora needle blight. Its sturdy, single-leader growth habit eliminates gaps, ensuring a uniform appearance ideal for hedges and screens. Whether planted in mass for a lush privacy barrier, as individual accents in mixed borders, or in planters for urban gardens, Tall Guy Arborvitae adapts seamlessly to various landscaping needs with minimal maintenance.
Tall Guy Arborvitae Care
Position Tall Guy Arborvitae in areas that receive full sunlight to maximize its bright green foliage. Ensure the soil is well-drained and enriched with organic material to support healthy growth. During the initial growing season, maintain regular watering to help establish a strong root system, gradually reducing frequency as the plant matures. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer each spring to promote robust growth and sustained color. Mulching around the base not only conserves moisture but also helps regulate soil temperature and suppresses weed growth, contributing to the overall vitality of the shrub.
Maintaining the neat, columnar shape of Tall Guy Arborvitae requires minimal pruning. Conduct light trimming in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged branches and to refine the plant’s form if necessary. Avoid extensive pruning, as this can disrupt the natural growth pattern and reduce the plant’s density. In regions with harsh winters, consider providing wind protection to prevent damage to the branches and foliage. Regular inspections for any signs of disease or pest infestation will help keep your arborvitae healthy and thriving.
Tall Guy Arborvitae Spacing
When planting Tall Guy Arborvitae as a hedge, space each shrub approximately five feet apart to allow for their mature spread and to ensure a dense, uninterrupted screen. For use in mixed borders or as standalone accents, provide about six feet between plants to accommodate their upright growth and maintain proper air circulation. If opting for container planting, select pots that are at least 18 to 24 inches in diameter to give the roots ample room to expand and support the shrub’s vertical structure.
- SKU:
- 1231020471-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
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Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations