Image: Dwarf Globe Arborvitae in Formal Garden Design

This high-resolution landscape image captures a meticulously designed formal garden featuring dwarf globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) cultivars arranged with precision and complemented by a diverse palette of ornamental plants. The composition is symmetrical, structured, and botanically rich—ideal for illustrating refined garden design principles and the versatility of compact evergreen forms.

In the foreground, three dwarf globe Arborvitae—likely cultivars such as ‘Danica’, ‘Teddy’, or ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’—are positioned in a staggered triangular formation within a mulched bed. Their foliage is dense and finely textured, composed of tightly packed, scale-like leaves in a vibrant emerald green. Each shrub forms a near-perfect sphere, with smooth contours and uniform growth, reflecting expert pruning and consistent care. The mulch is a deep reddish-brown, cleanly raked and evenly distributed, providing contrast and visual clarity.

Behind the Arborvitae, a neatly clipped boxwood hedge runs parallel to a gravel pathway. The hedge’s darker green foliage and linear form create a crisp horizontal boundary that reinforces the garden’s formal geometry. The gravel path, composed of light-colored stones, curves gently along the left edge of the image, bordered by a metal or stone edging that separates it from the planting bed.

Beyond the hedge, a vertical layer of complementary plants adds height and seasonal interest. A cluster of purple-flowering Salvia nemorosa rises in slender spires, their deep violet blooms swaying gently in the breeze. To the left, a golden-leaved shrub—possibly Spiraea ‘Goldflame’ or a dwarf golden cypress—introduces warm contrast and feathery texture. On the right, a smokebush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’) with velvety burgundy foliage adds depth and drama to the composition.

Two columnar Emerald Green Arborvitae stand tall in the background, anchoring the scene with their vertical presence and reinforcing the evergreen structure. Their rich green foliage and narrow form contrast with the rounded dwarf varieties in the foreground, demonstrating the genus’s morphological diversity.

The lawn surrounding the beds is lush and evenly trimmed, with a vibrant green hue that complements the foliage and softens the hard edges of the design. The background features a mix of deciduous trees and ornamental shrubs, with varied leaf shapes and colors that add depth and seasonal layering.

Sunlight filters through the garden from the upper right, casting soft shadows and highlighting the textures of foliage, mulch, and gravel. The lighting is natural and balanced, enhancing the clarity and realism of the scene without harsh contrast.

This image exemplifies the use of dwarf globe Arborvitae in formal garden design—ideal for low hedges, geometric plantings, and evergreen accents. It showcases their compatibility with flowering perennials, structured hedges, and ornamental foliage, making it a valuable reference for designers, educators, and nursery professionals.

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