Arborvitae 'Elegantissima' — The Underrated Privacy Tree You Need to Know About

When most people think of arborvitae, they picture the same two varieties: Emerald Green or Green Giant. Both are excellent — but there's a third arborvitae that most people have never heard of, and it might actually be the most beautiful of the three.

Meet Arborvitae 'Elegantissima' — a stunning, golden-tipped privacy tree that brings something the others simply don't: color. While Emerald Green and Green Giant are solid, dependable green, Elegantissima lights up with bright golden-yellow tips on its new growth, creating a two-tone effect that's genuinely eye-catching in any landscape.

If you want a privacy screen that actually looks interesting — not just functional — Elegantissima deserves a serious look.

What Makes Elegantissima Different?

Elegantissima is a medium to large arborvitae that grows 15–25 feet tall with a naturally dense, columnar to broadly pyramidal shape. What sets it apart is the foliage — the tips of the branches are bright golden-yellow, especially on new spring growth, while the interior foliage is a rich, deep green. The contrast between the two creates a warm, glowing effect that's unlike any other arborvitae on the market.

The golden color is most intense in spring when new growth is flushing, and it softens to a warm yellow-green through summer before deepening again in fall and winter. In winter especially, the golden tips catch low-angle sunlight and glow in a way that makes the tree look almost luminous against a gray sky or a snowy backdrop.

Here's a quick comparison to help you decide which arborvitae is right for your situation:

• Emerald Green Arborvitae — Compact (12–15 ft), tight columnar form, solid green, perfect for smaller yards and tidy formal screens.
• Green Giant Arborvitae — Very fast growing (3–5 ft/year), massive (50–60 ft), solid green, best for large properties needing tall screens fast.
• Elegantissima Arborvitae — Medium size (15–25 ft), golden-tipped foliage, dense and beautiful, perfect when you want a privacy screen that's also a landscape feature.

Where to Plant Arborvitae Elegantissima

Elegantissima is versatile enough to work in a wide range of landscape situations:

• Privacy screens and hedges — Plant 4–5 feet apart for a solid, dense screen that blocks views and wind while looking beautiful year-round.
• Windbreaks — The dense evergreen foliage makes it an effective windbreak on the north or west side of a property.
• Specimen planting — A single Elegantissima planted as a focal point in a landscape is genuinely stunning, especially in winter when the golden tips glow against bare surroundings.
• Corner plantings — Plant one at each corner of your house to frame the structure and add year-round color and presence.
• Mixed evergreen screens — Alternate Elegantissima with Emerald Green or Green Giant for a privacy screen with visual texture and color variation.

Sun, Soil & Growing Conditions

Elegantissima is easy to grow and adaptable to a wide range of conditions:

• Sun: Full sun to partial shade. The golden color is most intense in full sun — plants in shade will be greener and less vibrant. For maximum color, plant in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sun per day.
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils. Like most arborvitae, it doesn't like waterlogged conditions. Avoid planting in low spots that stay wet after rain.
• Hardiness: Hardy in Zones 4–8, making it a reliable choice throughout the Midwest.
• Deer resistance: Moderate. Arborvitae can be browsed by deer in areas with high deer pressure. If deer are a serious problem in your area, consider protecting young plants with fencing or deer repellent until they're established.

How Fast Does Elegantissima Grow?

Elegantissima grows at a moderate rate — roughly 12–18 inches per year under good conditions. It's not as fast as Green Giant, but it's faster than Emerald Green. In 5–7 years you can expect a solid, dense screen 8–12 feet tall that provides real privacy and wind protection.

The moderate growth rate is actually an advantage in many situations — it means the tree stays dense and full rather than getting leggy, and it's less likely to outgrow its space and require heavy pruning.

Planting & Care Tips

When to Plant

Plant Elegantissima in spring or fall for best results. Fall planting gives the roots time to establish before winter without the stress of summer heat. Spring planting gives the tree a full growing season to get established before its first winter.

How to Plant

• Dig a hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper than the root ball height.
• Set the tree so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil grade.
• Backfill with native soil — no need to amend with compost or other materials.
• Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil consistently moist through the first growing season.

Mulching

Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, extending out to the drip line. Mulch retains moisture, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds. Keep mulch away from the trunk — read our guide on why mulch volcanoes kill trees before you plant.

Watering

Water deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season. Once established (after 1–2 seasons), Elegantissima is reasonably drought-tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering except during extended dry spells.

Pruning

Elegantissima rarely needs pruning to maintain its shape — it naturally stays dense and full. If you want to keep it tighter or control its size, prune lightly in early spring before new growth emerges. Never cut back into old wood that has no green foliage, as arborvitae won't regenerate from bare wood.

Winter Care

Elegantissima is cold-hardy and handles Midwest winters well. In areas with heavy snow loads, you can loosely tie the branches together with burlap or twine in late fall to prevent snow from splitting the branches. This is especially helpful for young trees in their first few winters.

Why Elegantissima Is Worth Choosing Over the Usual Options

Here's the honest case for Elegantissima over the more common arborvitae varieties:

• It's more interesting. A row of Emerald Green arborvitae is functional. A row of Elegantissima is functional and beautiful. The golden tips add warmth and visual interest that solid-green varieties simply can't match.
• It's the right size for most yards. At 15–25 feet, it's taller than Emerald Green (which maxes out at 15 feet) but far more manageable than Green Giant (which can hit 60 feet). For most suburban yards, Elegantissima hits the sweet spot.
• It looks great in winter. When the rest of the landscape is gray and dormant, Elegantissima's golden-tipped foliage glows in the low winter sun. It's one of the most attractive evergreens in the winter landscape.
• It's genuinely rare. Most nurseries don't carry it. If you plant Elegantissima, your yard will have something your neighbors don't — and people will ask about it.