Thuja orientalis Fleck - Oriental Thuja

Thuja orientalis 'Fleck' is a variety of Oriental conifer that is interesting for its egg shape and particularly limited growth. It is a true miniature conifer that measures less than a metre in height and therefore integrates well in the foreground of a bed. It will also be perfect in a rock garden. With its evergreen foliage of beautiful green punctuated with white shoots, it is decorative all year round. Hardy and undemanding in terms of soil type, it thrives in full sun, or even partial shade.

Thuja orientalis (synonym Platycladus orientalis), also known as Chinese Conifer or Oriental Thuja, is sometimes called Tree of Life, due to its longevity and resilience. It is an evergreen conifer of the Cupressaceae family. Native to China, this species is found naturally from Iran to Japan. In its natural habitat, the tree reaches a height of 12 to 20 metres (39 to 66 feet), adopting a beautiful pyramid shape, with spreading ascending branches that start from the base of the trunk. Its evergreen foliage is pleasantly fragrant. It is a perfectly hardy species, well adapted to temperate climates and fairly poor, even dry soils. As it tolerates pruning well, this conifer is often used as a hedge. Its fragrant wood is used in construction work and as incense in Buddhist temples.

The 'Fleck' variety stands out for its very slow growth (only 5 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) per year) and its miniature size. After 10 years, it reaches a height of 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28in) with a spread of 30 to 40 cm. A bit disorderly at first, it eventually takes on a regular egg shape, giving it a very decorative sculptural appearance. This conifer has green foliage, with some white shoots, consisting of flattened branches arranged in planes and covered with tiny scale-like leaves measuring 3 mm (1in) in length. Overlapping each other, the leaves give the branchlets a flat appearance, with a predominantly vertical arrangement. This Thuja is adorned with cute little grey-green cones at the ends of the branches.

Oriental Thuja 'Fleck' will find a place in a small garden, within a bed, as it is really too small to be planted in isolation. It can adorn a sunny rock garden as its graceful shape will be perfect in the heart of a rockery. It will also fit perfectly in a contemporary garden, where its sculptural design will be highlighted. In a bed, it can be associated with plants that are not too tall to avoid smothering it. The small Photinia fraseri 'Chico', which forms a green ball with reddish-bronze spring shoots, will be perfect in this role, as will the charming Viburnum davidii with its dark green, highly veined leaves and white flowering in JuneTo complete this scene with a touch of brightness, tiny Thujopsis dolobrata 'Solar Flare', with its yellow foliage as delicate as a fern.