White Cedar, Eastern Arborvitae, American Arborvitae 'Rheingold'

The color and texture are great year-round, as is the spherical shape when it's young. I'm especially partial to the copper color in wint...Read Moreer.

Unfortunately, after only 2-4 years it splays open under the weight of snow, or of its own weight, exposing lots of dead foliage in its interior. Ugly.

Yes, you can tie it up for the winter, but that makes it look ugly for five months of the year. It does respond well to shearing, and that can keep it good looking longer.

I've never seen this get over about 2-3' tall in eastern Massachusetts without opening up.

I think of this strictly as a short-term plant, perhaps an interim solution to a larger landscape issue. Here in Boston (Z6a) it performs well through the winter in a suitable pot.

I love the color Green of the 'Rheingold' in the spring, then Gold in summer and Bronze during the winter. Purchased in early winter 2008.