Thuja plicata Martin - Western Red Cedar

The Thuja plicata Martin is a variety of Giant California Arborvitae with rapid and vigorous growth. Perfectly hardy, it withstands repeated pruning well, allowing for the creation of large, dense evergreen screens that are effective against both wind and prying eyes. Its bright green foliage will provide an ideal visual backdrop to highlight plant beds. It thrives in sunny locations and can be easily cultivated in deep, moderately moist soil in summer. 

The Thuja plicata, also known as the Giant Arborvitae or Western Red cedar, is sometimes referred to as Lobb's Arborvitae. It is an evergreen conifer in the Cupressaceae family native to the northwest of North America, particularly northern California. In its natural environment, this giant reaches heights of 50 to 60 meters (164 to 197 feet) and can develop a trunk with a diameter of 3 meters (10 feet) when it reaches around 700 years old. It has long been exploited for its soft and durable wood, known in Europe as 'Red cedar'. This giant thrives in the depths of lush forests (California is not just an arid desert!), but it also extends to the banks of rivers or colonizes swampy forests. It is shade-tolerant, even in dense shade, and thrives in humid conditions. Its scale-like foliage is the flattest among its genus.

The 'Martin' variety is a fast-growing selection, with annual growth reaching up to 50 cm (20in). If left unpruned, it can grow up to 15 meters (49 feet) or more in height at maturity, with a spread of approximately 5 meters, which limits its use as a standalone specimen in small gardens. It is more commonly used for hedges, quickly forming a large screen that provides privacy and wind protection. It requires annual pruning once or twice to limit lateral growth and allow for "green pruning" each time. It does not respond well to pruning in old wood, which may permanently damage the hedge. This conifer has flattened branches covered with scale-like leaves that are imbricate in appearance. The aromatic foliage is a bright green color for most of the year, with a slight bronze tinge from autumn to spring.

The 'Martin' Thuja is a proven variety due to its ease of cultivation, high tolerance for pruning, and dense vegetation. However, it prefers a temperate and humid climate. It adapts well to various conditions except for dense shade and dry soils. Its density provides year-round protection for the garden, and the vegetal screen it forms when planted as a hedge enhances any flower bed through contrasting colors, particularly white blooms like those of Mock Orange or Philadelphus, or the Amelanchier such as A. canadensis. In addition to its spring flowering, its vibrant autumn foliage is also enhanced by the Thuja's vegetal screen. The same applies to shrubs with pink blooms, such as the aptly named Deutzia 'Mont Rose', or yellow blooms, such as Buddleia weyeriana 'Sungold', which is less common despite being easy to grow. Light-colored foliage is also enhanced by the background vegetation of the 'Martin' Thuja, such as the robust Hippophae rhamnoides or Sea Buckthorn, with its fine grayish leaves and highly decorative bright orange berries, or the Cotinus coggygria 'Golden Spirit', a Wig Tree with bright golden foliage.