Thuja occidentalis Brabant - Canadian Arborvitae

The Thuja occidentalis 'Brabant' is one of the most planted conifers in gardens, due to its vigour and ability to withstand almost all soils and climates. This medium-sized Canadian thuja with a well-regulated conical habit grows rapidly, and its growth on multiple shoots gives it a very dense appearance. It is mainly used as a hedge, as its lush and bright foliage provides a beautiful background for all the plants in the garden. Its cultivation presents no difficulty and it tolerates pruning perfectly. When planted alone, it structurally anchors a flower bed, marks pathways, and borders the terrace with great elegance.

The Thuja occidentalis, also known as the Eastern Arborvitae or Western Red Cedar, is sometimes called the White Cedar or Broom. It is an evergreen conifer from the cypress family native to northeastern North America. It is distributed over a wide geographic area that perfectly reflects the diversity of its habitats, from swamps to cliffs. In nature, it reaches a height of 15 to 20m (65.6ft), adopting a beautiful conical habit, and a trunk covered with decorative bark that sheds in reddish-brown plates. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to temperate climates and poor, moist, or occasionally dry soils. Its almost rot-resistant, lightweight, fragrant, and easily flammable wood lends itself to many uses. It has given rise to more than 300 cultivars that have been selected for their ornamental qualities.

The 'Brabant' variety, highly appreciated since its introduction in 1984, has received the "Award of Garden Merit" from the Royal Horticultural Society of England. It will reach a height of about 4m (13.1ft) and a spread of 1m (3.3ft) after 10 years, with a regular conical habit. This extremely resistant conifer has particularly aromatic foliage when crushed, which consists of flattened twigs covered with 3 to 5mm long scales. Imbricated in each other, the leaves give the twigs a flat appearance. The young shoots are yellow-green in spring, gradually taking on their definitive light green colour. The cones are not very numerous in this variety, slender and brown at maturity, composed of 4 or 5 scales.

The 'Brabant' Western Red Cedar will find its place in all gardens, from the smallest to the largest, and will require no maintenance once well established. Its foliage, far from being dull, provides a beautiful backdrop for beds of perennials and flowering shrubs and goes well with more loose bushes, large stones, and the geometric lines of swimming pools or buildings. It bends in the wind but does not break, making it a good candidate for a windbreak hedge. The architectural qualities of conifers naturally fit in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over blossoms. These plants easily replace the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.