Image: Arborvitae in Diverse Landscape Applications

This high-resolution landscape image presents a beautifully designed suburban garden that demonstrates the versatility of Arborvitae (Thuja) in a range of landscape applications. The composition is structured yet natural, offering a compelling visual reference for designers, educators, and nursery professionals.

The backdrop features a dense row of tall Green Giant Arborvitae (Thuja standishii x plicata 'Green Giant') forming a lush privacy screen. These trees are evenly spaced and tightly packed, creating a continuous wall of deep green foliage. Their towering, columnar forms stretch upward, effectively blocking views and defining the property boundary. The foliage is rich and dense, composed of overlapping scale-like leaves that shimmer subtly in the sunlight.

In the midground, a conical Emerald Green Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd') stands prominently as an accent plant. Its compact, symmetrical shape and vibrant green color contrast beautifully with the taller trees behind it. The tree is surrounded by a mulched bed containing a mix of ornamental grasses, low-growing perennials, and flowering shrubs. White blooms and bluish-green foliage add texture and seasonal interest, while the reddish-brown mulch provides a clean visual frame.

To the right, Arborvitae are used in foundation plantings near a red brick house with beige siding. A smaller columnar specimen is positioned near the corner of the home, flanked by a rounded boxwood shrub and a Japanese maple with striking reddish-purple foliage. Beneath these, a spreading juniper adds a horizontal layer of blue-green texture. The foundation bed is neatly edged and mulched, reinforcing the tidy, intentional design.

The lawn throughout the scene is lush, evenly trimmed, and gently curved, guiding the viewer’s eye through the garden. The grass is a vibrant green, with subtle variations in tone that reflect natural light and seasonal health. The curved edges of the beds and pathways soften the geometry of the planting zones, creating a harmonious flow between vertical and horizontal elements.

In the background, deciduous trees with bright green leaves and bare branches add depth and seasonal contrast. The sky is a clear blue with wispy clouds, and sunlight filters through the canopy, casting soft shadows and highlighting the textures of foliage, bark, and mulch.

This image exemplifies Arborvitae’s adaptability in landscape design—from structural privacy screens to ornamental accents and foundation framing. It showcases their year-round foliage, architectural form, and compatibility with a wide range of companion plants. The scene is meticulously maintained, with no visible weeds or overgrowth, making it ideal for use in catalogs, educational guides, or promotional materials.

The image is related to: A Guide to the Best Arborvitae Varieties to Plant in Your Garden