Elegantissima Arborvitae: The In-Between Evergreen for Privacy & Landscape Design

Most people know Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitae. Far fewer know about Elegantissima — and that’s a missed opportunity. Elegantissima fills the gap between those two popular varieties perfectly: taller and faster than Emerald Green, more manageable than Green Giant, with a unique silvery-green to golden foliage texture that neither of the others can match. If you’ve been searching for an arborvitae that hits the sweet spot in size, this is it.

Elegantissima Arborvitae at a Glance

Feature	Details
Botanical Name	Platycladus orientalis ‘Elegantissima’
Common Names	Elegantissima Arborvitae, Oriental Arborvitae, Oriental Thuja
Mature Height	12–18 feet
Mature Width	4–6 feet
Growth Rate	Moderate
Hardiness Zones	Zones 5–8
Sunlight	Full sun to partial shade
Drought Tolerance	Excellent once established
Foliage Color	Silvery-green with golden-yellow tips; fine texture
Best Use	Mid-height privacy screen, hedge, accent, driveway border

What Makes Elegantissima Different?

Elegantissima is technically an Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) rather than a North American Thuja — and that distinction matters. It has a distinctly different look and character from the standard Thuja varieties most people are familiar with:

• Unique foliage texture: The fronds are held vertically (rather than horizontally like most Thuja), giving the plant a fine, feathery texture that’s softer and more elegant than Green Giant or Emerald Green.
• Silvery-green to golden color: The foliage has a distinctive silvery-green hue with golden-yellow tips on new growth — a two-tone appearance that stands out in the landscape.
• Narrow upright form: Strongly columnar — tight and upright, excellent for hedges and borders where you want height without width.
• Superior drought tolerance: Once established, notably more drought-tolerant than most Thuja arborvitae — a significant advantage in drier climates and sandy soils.
• Mid-size sweet spot: At 12–18 feet, taller than Emerald Green (10–15 ft) but far more manageable than Green Giant (40–60 ft) — the right size for most residential privacy needs.

Elegantissima vs. Emerald Green vs. Green Giant

Feature	Elegantissima	Emerald Green	Green Giant
Mature Height	12–18 ft	10–15 ft	40–60 ft
Mature Width	4–6 ft	3–4 ft	12–20 ft
Foliage Color	Silvery-green, golden tips	Rich emerald green	Deep green
Foliage Texture	Fine, feathery, vertical	Dense, flat sprays	Dense, flat sprays
Hardiness Zone	Zones 5–8	Zones 3–8	Zones 5–8
Drought Tolerance	Excellent	Moderate	Good
Best For	Mid-height screen, unique texture	Compact hedge, Zone 3–4	Tall screen, deer country

The takeaway: Choose Elegantissima when you want more height than Emerald Green but don’t need a Green Giant, and when you want a more distinctive, textured look than either standard Thuja provides.

✅ Shop Emerald Green Arborvitae →  |  ✅ Shop Green Giant Arborvitae →

🌲 Related: Green Giant Arborvitae: Complete Growing Guide →

How to Plant Elegantissima Arborvitae

Site Selection

• Sun: Full sun (6+ hours) produces the fastest growth, densest form, and most vivid golden-tip color. Tolerates partial shade better than most Thuja arborvitae. Avoid deep shade.
• Soil: Adaptable to clay, loam, and sandy soils. More drought-tolerant than Emerald Green once established — a good choice for drier sites or sandy soils where other arborvitae struggle. Ensure good drainage; avoid permanently wet sites.
• Climate: Hardy in Zones 5–8. Not as cold-hardy as Emerald Green (Zone 3) — not the best choice for the coldest northern climates. Excellent in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast.
• Wind: The narrow columnar form handles wind well and is less prone to snow and ice damage than wider varieties.

Spacing for a Privacy Hedge

• 3–4 feet apart: Tight, solid hedge quickly — trees touch within 2–3 years. Best for maximum privacy fast.
• 5–6 feet apart: Our recommended spacing — fills in within 3–4 years with excellent long-term health and air circulation.
• 6–8 feet apart: Looser screen or specimen accent planting showing the natural columnar form.

Planting Steps

1. Dig the hole 2–3 times wider than the root ball, no deeper than the root ball height.
2. Set the plant so the root flare sits at or just above soil level.
3. Backfill with original soil. In heavy clay, mix in compost at a 1:1 ratio.
4. Water thoroughly immediately after planting.
5. Mulch with 3–4 inches of wood chips in a 3-foot circle, keeping mulch 2–3 inches away from the trunk.

Elegantissima Arborvitae Care

Watering

• First year: Water deeply 2–3 times per week during dry periods. Soak the root zone thoroughly each time.
• Year 2: Water once or twice per week during dry spells as the root system expands.
• Year 3+: Established Elegantissima handles dry periods well — more drought-tolerant than Emerald Green. Water only during extended droughts (2+ weeks without rain).

Fertilizing

Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or evergreen-specific formula) in early spring as new growth begins. Use ½ to 1 lb per plant for young trees, up to 2 lbs for mature plants. Do not fertilize after August.

Pruning

Elegantissima naturally maintains its narrow, upright form and requires no pruning to look good. If you want to tighten the form or control height, prune lightly in late spring after the first flush of new growth. Shear only the outer tips — never cut back into old brown wood.

Pests and Diseases

As an Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus), Elegantissima is less susceptible to the spider mites that commonly plague Emerald Green in hot, dry summers. Watch for:

• Bagworms: Occasional in the Midwest. Hand-pick bags in fall/winter; apply Bt in late spring when larvae are small.
• Root rot: Only in poorly drained or permanently wet soil.
• Winter burn: Less common than on Emerald Green due to the vertical frond orientation. Burlap wrapping in the first winter helps on very exposed sites.

Pairing Elegantissima with Other Arborvitae

Elegantissima’s unique silvery-green to golden foliage creates outstanding contrast when paired with other arborvitae:

• Elegantissima + Emerald Green: Alternate in a hedge row for a two-tone effect — the silvery-golden Elegantissima contrasts beautifully with the rich emerald Thuja. Both stay in the 10–18 foot range for a cohesive hedge height.
• Elegantissima + Golden Globe: Plant Golden Globe Arborvitae at the base of an Elegantissima hedge for a layered look — the compact, rounded Golden Globe (4–8 ft) in front of the tall, columnar Elegantissima creates a professional landscape design effect.
• Elegantissima + Green Giant: Use Elegantissima for mid-height privacy and Green Giant for a tall windbreak — complementary in a layered privacy planting.

✅ Shop Golden Globe Arborvitae →

🌲 Related: Emerald Green Arborvitae: Complete Growing Guide →

Best Uses for Elegantissima Arborvitae

• Mid-height privacy screen: At 12–18 feet, excellent privacy without the overwhelming scale of Green Giant.
• Driveway border: The narrow upright form and distinctive foliage color make it a striking driveway accent.
• Mixed evergreen hedge: Alternate with Emerald Green for a two-tone hedge with year-round interest.
• Accent or specimen: A single Elegantissima makes a strong vertical accent — the unique foliage texture draws the eye.
• Dry or sandy sites: Superior drought tolerance makes it the best arborvitae choice for sites with limited irrigation.
• Screening utility areas: The columnar form is ideal for screening HVAC units and utility boxes without taking up much ground space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Elegantissima Arborvitae?

Elegantissima Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Elegantissima’) is an Oriental Arborvitae — a different species from the North American Thuja most people are familiar with. It grows 12–18 feet tall with a narrow, upright form and distinctive silvery-green to golden foliage with a fine, feathery texture. More drought-tolerant and more elegant in appearance than standard Thuja varieties.

How tall does Elegantissima Arborvitae get?

Elegantissima reaches 12–18 feet tall at maturity with a width of 4–6 feet — squarely between Emerald Green (10–15 ft) and Green Giant (40–60 ft). The ideal mid-size arborvitae for most residential privacy needs.

Is Elegantissima Arborvitae deer resistant?

Elegantissima has better deer resistance than Emerald Green Arborvitae, though not as deer-resistant as Green Giant. In moderate deer pressure areas it performs well; in very high deer pressure areas, Green Giant remains the safest choice.

How is Elegantissima different from Emerald Green Arborvitae?

Elegantissima is a different species entirely — an Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus) vs. Emerald Green’s North American Thuja. Key differences: Elegantissima grows taller (12–18 ft vs. 10–15 ft), has silvery-green to golden foliage vs. Emerald Green’s solid rich green, has a finer feathery texture, and is more drought-tolerant. Emerald Green is hardier (Zone 3 vs. Zone 5) and holds its color better in very cold climates.

Can Elegantissima Arborvitae grow in dry soil?

Yes — once established, Elegantissima is notably more drought-tolerant than most arborvitae. An excellent choice for sandy soils, drier climates, or sites with limited irrigation. Water consistently in the first 1–2 years to establish a strong root system, then it handles dry periods well.

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