In this clause I featureThuja plicata x standishii ‘ Leprechaun ’ , known as the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae .
If I am perfectly dependable , I was never a major sports fan of conifers but I have always had a gentle patch for Thuja plicata , the western red true cedar , chiefly because the wood is so gorgeous when used as facing or as the chassis for a glasshouse .
In fact , I had a with child Thuja plicatain this garden – and a western red cedarwood framed greenhouse . I have fond storage of that garden , so mayhap there is an emotional clout on me towards these plants .
Thuja plicata byS. Raeis licensed under CC BY 2.0
Anyway , this Thuja plicata hybrid is a really useful humble , compact evergreen bush or small tree with attractive leaf and easy - to - spring up nature . It is a somewhat versatile industrial plant and well worth considering for your garden .
Origin of Thuja Plicata x Standishii ‘Leprechaun’
Thuja Plicata x Standishii ‘ Leprechaun’is a cultivar of the intercrossed industrial plant that lead from the cross between Thuja plicata and Thuja standishii .
Thuja plicata , is a aboriginal conifer the westerly states of North American . genus Thuja standishii , usually called Japanese arborvitae , is a minor to average evergreen conifernative to subalpine forest on the Nipponese islands of Honshu and Shikoku .
Thuja Plicata x Standishii arise from the crossing of these two parent plants and , as a outcome , inherited properties from both . The ‘ Leprechaun ’ cultivar of Thuja Plicata x Standishii arose as a naturally come branch mutation of the popular ‘ Green Giant ’ form , which was also a hybrid derived from the same parent flora . This mutation wasfirst discovered in a production fieldand was laterasexually distribute using stem cuttingsin 2015 .
Thuja plicata byS. Raeis licensed under CC BY 2.0
The leprechaun arborvitae is a dwarf evergreen shrub that is have a go at it for its typical green leafage and compact growth substance abuse . This unequaled plant is a popular selection for gardeners looking to add a contact of whimsy to their landscape painting .
The leprechaun arborvitae ’s modest size and depleted - sustentation nature make it a versatile and attractive summation to any outdoor blank space .
Growth characteristics
The Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae is a slow - acquire Arborvitae that typically reaches a tallness of 7 to 10 feet with a spread of 4 to 6 feet at maturity date .
Striking features of the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae are its compact sizing and dense foliage of vivacious green . As an evergreen plant , it provides twelvemonth - cycle interest .
These characteristic are also what make the Leprechaun an excellent choice for planting insmall gardensor as a small - maintenance hedge .
It is also a great option for adding vertical stake to a garden , as its narrow columnar shape creates a sentience of height without taking up too much space . It can be used a slightly denser and broader alternative to the dwarf Italian cypress – Cupressussempervirens ‘ Monshel ’ .
GardenUses and Placement
In terms of placement , ‘ Leprechaun ’ expand in full sunshine to partial spook and preferswell - enfeeble soil . To ensure optimal growth and to keep the leafage nice and dense , it is effective to avoid planting ‘ Leprechaun ’ in full shade .
Also verify that you plantArborvitae ‘ The Leprechaun’in an area with with enough room to accommodate its expected matured size .
There are several shipway to incorporate ‘ Leprechaun ’ into your garden .
As mentioned , due to its thick , evergreen foliage , the plant can be used as an attractive and functionalprivacy blind , windbreak , or stochasticity barrier . Its comparatively low sustainment nature and restrained increase rate make it an idealistic choice for these purposes .
If you want to habituate ‘ Leprechaun ’ as a privateness screen or hedge , space it as take after :
you’re able to also produce the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitaein containers and plantation owner . Two or three plants in container can also be used efficaciously as a screen to create more privateness for invest areas near your firm or on balcony .
The expectant thing is that the evergreen plant foliation means these spaces will keep back their solicitation even in the depth of winter .
Additionally , its compact size and pyramidal shape can addvertical interest and structure to miscellaneous bordersor as astandalone specimen .
The Leprechaun ’s dense leafage can also provide arefuge forwildlife , leave cover for birds and small mammals .
Planting and caring for Thuja plicata x standishii ‘Leprechaun’
verify you plant ‘ Leprechaun ’ at the same depth as it was in its nursery container and water it on a regular basis until it becomes established . Once launch , it will postulate minimum care , with occasional pruning to maintain its desired shape and size .
However , Arborvitae attend best with their foliage and tree branch sweeping the ground , so we recommend avoiding pruning unless warranted .
The Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae should be grown in zones 5 - 8 to for best solution ( you may find ourhardiness zone function here ) . When choosing a location for your Arborvitae , verify to find fault a smear that receives full sun to partial nuance .
Thuja plicata byS. Raeis licensed under CC BY 2.0
TheLeprechaun ™ Arborvitaerequires moist but well - drained soil , ideally with a 3 - 4 column inch bed of mulch which will keep wet around the roots and prevent widow’s weeds growing up and compete with the plant . Throughout the fall and wintertime , check that the plant has enough weewee and moist ground so as to foreclose browning and wind - burn .
Overall , the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae is a versatile and attractive evergreen plant turn up year round stake that is well - become to a variety of landscaping and garden applications . Its compact size of it , dumb foliation , and easy - to - grow nature make it a popular alternative for both novice and experienced gardeners likewise .
Buy Thuja Plicata x standishii ‘Leprechaun’: the Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
If you are in the USA , you canbuy the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae at Nature Hills Nursery . flick on the links to check out the latest price and offers .
( Please note I am an affiliate of Nature Hills Nursery and may receive a minuscule commission if you buy after penetrate links on this page to Nature Hills website . )
FAQ re the Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
Can you keep the Leprechaun™ Arborvitae short by pruning
Only light pruning of Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae is apprize . Unlike its cousin Thuja Plicata x Standishii ‘ GeenGiant ” , it does not farm higher than about 10 understructure ( 3 metres ) , . you’re able to lightly prune the branch ends for a tighter shape if you care . But , fundamentally this flora take in care of itself , so you do n’t need to interest .
Do deer eat Leprechaun™ Arborvitae?
The Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae come from a cross of Thuja Plicata and Thuja Standishii . Neither of these specie of works are usually attractive to deer . Deer do frequently corrode industrial plant from the species Thuja occidentalis , the eastern arborvitae , but fortunately the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae comes from the westerly red cedarwood .
So , in light , deer wo n’t usually exhaust the Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae . The only time they will is if they are starve .
Are there are any major pest or disease problems with Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
The Leprechaun ™ Arborvitae is generally pretty pestilence and disease free .
It wo n’t unremarkably brown or bronze in dusty weather . But it may lose from air current burn if it does not have enough moisture in winter . Therefore keep lacrimation if need be and practice a good thick mulch around the plants ’ roots .
Martin Cole has been an avid works fan and gardener for more than 20 old age and eff to talk and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competitor . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
“Arborvitae” byOregon State Universityis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
He previously lived in London and Sydney , Australia , where he take a sheepskin course of study in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The website is propose at everybody who loves plants or has been bite by the gardening bug and wants to know more .
Gardening tone by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s magnanimous mail order works retail merchant , as a website that publishes skilful gardening content .
