Thuja plicata Goldy - Western Red Cedar

Thuja plicata Goldy ('4ever') brings a touch of whimsy to the sometimes austere world of conifers and a lot of light to the garden. This new compact form of the giant California thuja grows in a very regular pyramid shape, taking its time, and is adorned with beautiful foliage that is barely tinged with green in summer and will display a whole range of yellow tones, from pure gold to rose gold over the months. Of medium stature, it is well suited to small gardens, whether planted alone to create a focal point or in a small free-standing screen. It is a disease-resistant variety that does not require pruning and is easy to grow in ordinary soil in a sunny location. It also performs very well in a container on the terrace.

Thuja plicata, the giant thuja or western red cedar, is sometimes called Lobb's thuja. It is an evergreen conifer in the cypress family native to North America, specifically northern California. In its natural environment, this giant reaches a height of 50m (164 ft) and can develop a trunk with a diameter of 3m (9ft 10in) when it reaches the end of its life at around 700 years old. It has long been exploited for its soft and durable wood, known in Europe as "Red cedar". This conifer reigns in the depths of lush forests and descends to the banks of rivers where it colonizes swampy forests. It is a shade-tolerant species, even in dense shade, and it loves humidity.

The Goldy ('4ever') variety, introduced in 2006, stands out for its compact growth and its foliage that is strongly tinged with yellow throughout the year. It reaches a maximum height of 5m (16ft 5in) and a spread of 2.5m (8ft 2in) after many years. This conifer has flexible, erect, flattened branches covered with scale-like leaves. These scales are imbricate, giving the branchlets a flat appearance. The foliage is golden in spring, slightly greener in summer under yellow-golden young shoots, and takes on coppery to orange hues in autumn and winter. This variety is very hardy, tolerates moderate drought once established, can withstand salt spray and air pollution, and is resistant to diseases.

The Goldy ('4ever') thuja, with its ornamental qualities, moderate growth, robustness, and ease of cultivation, should find a place in many gardens. It adapts to everything except dense shade and dry soils. Its luminous silhouette enhances any flower bed and stands out on the terrace in a large container. It can be used without reservation as a solitary plant in a small garden, on a large slope, in a hedge, or near a water feature, as it enjoys coolness. It is an asset in the design of a contemporary garden that draws inspiration more from the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures than from the dance of flowers. It pairs well with Mahonias or tousled grasses like Miscanthus, which are very complementary. The key is to play with volumes and colours.