3 Blue Cone Arborvitae Starter Plants – Evergreen Privacy Trees – Live Bare Root

Overview

Transform your garden into a serene retreat with these 3 Blue Cone Arborvitae starter plants. Known botanically as Platycladus orientalis ‘Blue Cone’ (formerly Thuja orientalis), these compact, upright evergreens are celebrated for their distinctive blue-green foliage and the charming sky-blue, waxy seed cones that emerge in summer. As evergreen privacy trees, they provide year-round beauty and seclusion, making them a superb choice for various landscaping needs. Each plant arrives as a bare root starter plug, ready to establish and grow into a magnificent specimen. The ‘Blue Cone’ variety offers a unique texture and color that stands out in any landscape design, whether used as a focal point or integrated into a larger planting scheme. Their resilience and aesthetic appeal make them a rewarding addition for both novice and experienced gardeners.

This offering of 3 Blue Cone Arborvitae provides an excellent foundation for creating a hedge, screen, or multiple accent plantings. Their slow-to-medium growth rate ensures manageability while still achieving significant height and width over time. The striking coloration and conical shape contribute to a formal or structured look, yet they blend beautifully into more naturalistic settings. Prepare to enjoy the enduring elegance and practical benefits these remarkable conifers bring to your outdoor space.

Key Benefits

Investing in these Blue Cone Arborvitae starter plants offers a multitude of advantages for your landscape:

• Year-Round Privacy: As evergreen privacy trees, they maintain their dense foliage throughout the year, providing continuous screening and seclusion for your property. Their compact growth habit ensures a thick barrier.
• Distinctive Blue-Green Foliage: The unique blue-green hue of the needles adds a sophisticated touch to your garden, creating visual interest and contrasting beautifully with other plants. This coloration is particularly vibrant in full sun.
• Attractive Cones: During summer, these arborvitae produce charming sky-blue, waxy seed cones, adding another layer of visual appeal and seasonal interest to the plant. These cones are a unique feature of Platycladus orientalis ‘Blue Cone’.
• Versatile Landscaping Use: Ideal for creating formal hedges, robust windbreaks, or dense privacy screens. Their upright, conical form also makes them perfect for accent planting, flanking entryways, or as a specimen tree.
• Moderate Growth & Manageable Size: With a slow-to-medium growth rate, they are easier to maintain than faster-growing alternatives, reaching a mature height of 10–15 feet and a width of 6–10 feet. This makes Arborvitae care straightforward.
• Hardy & Resilient: Generally hardy in USDA Zones 5–10, these plants are adaptable to a range of climates and soil conditions, ensuring long-term success in your garden. They are known for their robust nature.
• Enhances Curb Appeal: The elegant form and striking color of these compact conifers significantly elevate the aesthetic value of your home, contributing to a polished and well-maintained appearance.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Arborvitae care is essential for the healthy growth and vibrant appearance of your Blue Cone Arborvitae. These evergreens thrive in full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to promote dense foliage and good cone production. While they can tolerate some shade, too much will result in thinner growth. Ensure they are planted in a location with good air circulation.

When it comes to watering, these plants prefer consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil, especially during their establishment period. Water deeply and regularly, particularly during dry spells or hot weather. Once established, they are moderately drought-tolerant but will benefit from occasional irrigation. The soil should be well-draining, as standing water can lead to root rot. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage, or sandy soils to improve water retention. For fertilization, a balanced slow-release granular fertilizer formulated for evergreens can be applied in early spring before new growth begins, following package instructions.

The Platycladus orientalis ‘Blue Cone’ is hardy in USDA Zones 5–10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates. Protect young plants from harsh winter winds in colder zones. Pruning is generally minimal, focused on maintaining shape and removing any dead or damaged branches. This can be done in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Watch out for common pests like spider mites or bagworms, and treat promptly with appropriate horticultural oils or insecticides if necessary. Proper spacing, typically 4-6 feet apart for a dense hedge, allows for good air circulation and minimizes disease risk, contributing to the overall health of these compact conifers.

Size & Details

This offering includes 3 Blue Cone Arborvitae starter plugs, shipped as bare root plants. Upon maturity, each ‘Blue Cone’ Arborvitae typically reaches a height of 10–15 feet with a spread of 6–10 feet, forming a beautiful, dense conical shape. They are considered a slow-to-medium grower, meaning they will establish steadily and provide long-lasting beauty without becoming unruly too quickly. The bare root format allows for efficient shipping and provides a robust start once planted, as the roots are able to spread directly into the native soil without the confines of a pot. Expect to see significant growth and establishment within the first year after planting, with their distinctive blue-green foliage becoming more prominent as they mature. These plants are designed to grow into magnificent evergreen privacy trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big do these Blue Cone Arborvitae get? A: The Blue Cone Arborvitae typically reaches a mature height of 10–15 feet and a width of 6–10 feet. Its growth rate is considered slow to medium, allowing for manageable development over time.
• Q: Are these plants suitable for creating a privacy hedge? A: Yes, these evergreen privacy trees are exceptionally well-suited for creating dense privacy screens, formal hedges, or windbreaks due to their compact, upright growth habit and year-round foliage.
• Q: What USDA hardiness zones are these Platycladus orientalis plants hardy in? A: The Platycladus orientalis ‘Blue Cone’ is generally hardy in USDA Zones 5–10, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates across the United States.
• Q: How much sunlight do these arborvitae need? A: For optimal growth and foliage density, these plants prefer full sun to partial shade, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Q: What is the best way to care for these bare root starter plants? A: Upon arrival, plant your bare root starters as soon as possible in well-draining soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first year, and protect them from extreme weather conditions. Regular Arborvitae care involves consistent watering and occasional fertilization.
• Q: When is the best time to plant Blue Cone Arborvitae? A: The ideal time to plant bare root arborvitae is typically in early spring or fall, allowing the plants to establish their root systems before the stress of summer heat or winter cold.
• Q: Do these compact conifers require a lot of pruning? A: Generally, compact conifers like the ‘Blue Cone’ Arborvitae require minimal pruning. Focus on removing any dead or damaged branches and light shaping to maintain its natural conical form, ideally in late winter or early spring.
• Q: How quickly will these plants grow into a privacy screen? A: These arborvitae have a slow-to-medium growth rate. While they will establish quickly, it may take several years to form a dense, mature privacy screen. Consistent Arborvitae care will promote steady growth.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for Blue Cone Arborvitae? A: They prefer well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter will improve drainage and overall plant health.
• Q: Are the blue cones ornamental? A: Yes, the sky-blue, waxy seed cones produced in summer are a distinctive ornamental feature, adding unique visual interest to the plant’s overall appeal.