Eastern Arborvitae 'Mirjam'

White Cedar 'Mirjam' (Thuja occidentalis 'Mirjam') is a small golden sun sitting as a tidy ball among the stones. Its finely divided foliage is a rich gold, takes on a warm bronze tone for the winter, and brightens back to vivid yellow in spring.

The ball keeps its shape on its own, with no clipping, because it grows very slowly: at 10 years it is about 40 cm tall and just as wide. It is essentially a golden twin of the green 'Danica' in the same format - for rock gardens, stone banks, low edging and container planting.

Key characteristics:

• What makes it special: In summer the ball glows gold, in winter the foliage turns to warm bronze - and all of it without a single cut, for it holds its shape by itself.
• Dimensions: At 10 years it is a neat globe 40 cm tall and 40 cm wide.
• Hardiness: Its hardiness is exceptional - down to -45 °C (USDA zone 2).
• Light: Plant it in full sun - that is where the foliage holds its gold; avoid deep shade, where the crown thins.
• Soil: It loves fertile, moderately moist and well-drained loam of neutral or alkaline reaction.
• Watering: Water moderately and regularly: the Eastern arborvitae does not forgive dry soil.
• Care: No pruning is needed - the globe holds its shape by itself; better to choose a spot out of open wind.
• Landscape use: At home in cottage and informal gardens, in low borders, on rock gardens and in containers.
• Origin: The cultivar was found as a witch's broom on Thuja 'Danica' by Lucjan and Grzegorz Kurowski in Konskowola, Poland.