The Golden Globe Arborvitae, with its distinct spherical shape and vibrant golden-yellow foliage, is a favored selection for many landscape designs. Introducing companion plants around this evergreen enhances its visual appeal and creates a more robust garden environment. This involves selecting plants that complement the arborvitae’s unique features and thrive under similar growing conditions. Integrating suitable companions cultivates a dynamic, visually appealing planting that supports overall plant health.
Understanding Golden Globe Arborvitae
Golden Globe Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Golden Globe’) is a compact, evergreen shrub recognized for its dense, rounded form and bright, scale-like leaves. This cultivar typically reaches a mature height and width of about 3 to 4 feet, maintaining its appealing globular shape with minimal pruning. Its foliage displays a striking golden-yellow hue, which intensifies with greater sun exposure, providing year-round color.
The plant thrives best in full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight daily), though it tolerates partial shade where its golden color may be less pronounced. It prefers well-draining soil, adapting to various types, ideally with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0 to 7.0). Consistent moisture is beneficial during establishment, but once mature, it exhibits moderate drought tolerance.
Key Considerations for Companion Plants
Selecting companion plants for Golden Globe Arborvitae requires aligning their environmental needs. Plants chosen should share similar light, soil, and water requirements to ensure all elements thrive without undue competition. This harmony forms the basis for a successful, low-maintenance garden bed.
Aesthetic considerations are equally important for a cohesive design. Companion plants should offer pleasing contrast or complement in color, texture, and form. Varying leaf shapes, plant heights, and bloom times add visual interest. The goal is to highlight the Golden Globe Arborvitae while integrating other plants seamlessly.
Considering the mature size and growth habits of potential companions is crucial to prevent overcrowding. Plants should not overshadow the arborvitae or compete aggressively for resources. Grouping plants with similar maintenance needs simplifies long-term care. Also, favor non-aggressive root systems that will not excessively compete with the arborvitae’s root zone.
Recommended Companion Plants
Flowering Perennials
Flowering perennials introduce contrasting textures and seasonal color.
Hostas, with their broad, often blue-green or variegated leaves, provide bold textural contrast and prefer partial to full shade.
Sedum varieties, like ‘Autumn Joy’, thrive in full sun, offering succulent leaves and late-season blooms.
Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) add vibrant daisy-like flowers in summer.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) provides fragrant, silvery foliage and purple flower spikes, thriving in full sun and well-drained soil.
Evergreen Shrubs and Groundcovers
Evergreen shrubs and groundcovers provide year-round structure and textural interest. Dwarf Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) offers a formal, dark green contrast and can be shaped to maintain a compact form. Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis ‘Blue Chip’) serves as an excellent low, spreading groundcover with blue-green foliage. Heuchera, or Coral Bells, provides diverse foliage colors, offering vibrant underplanting that contrasts with the arborvitae’s texture.
Annuals
Annuals introduce bursts of seasonal color that can be changed each year. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.) or Petunias (Petunia x hybrida) provide continuous blooms in sunny locations, offering warm yellow, orange, or other hues. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), for shadier spots, offer bright, cheerful flowers. These plants fill gaps and add a dynamic element during their growing season.
Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses contribute fine textures and movement. Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus), a dark green, clumping grass-like perennial, forms a dense groundcover contrasting with the arborvitae’s bright foliage. Dwarf Fountain Grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides ‘Hameln’) provides graceful, arching foliage and feathery plumes, offering soft texture and subtle movement. Both thrive in full sun and well-drained conditions.
Designing for Impact and Harmony
Thoughtful arrangement of companion plants enhances the visual impact and harmony of the garden space. Layering plants of varying heights creates visual depth: shorter groundcovers at the front, mid-sized perennials or small shrubs in the middle, and the arborvitae as a central, taller element. This layered approach guides the eye, adding complexity and interest.
Color palettes contribute to the overall aesthetic. Warm-toned foliage or blooms create vibrant displays, while cool colors evoke calm. Utilizing a variety of textures, from the fine scales of the arborvitae to the broad leaves of hostas or the delicate plumes of grasses, adds intrigue. The Golden Globe Arborvitae serves as a natural focal point, around which other plants are arranged.
Ongoing Care for a Mixed Planting
Consistent watering is important for maintaining a healthy mixed planting, especially for newly established companion plants. Monitor soil moisture for all plants, ensuring adequate hydration, particularly during dry spells. Companion plants may have varying water needs compared to the mature, moderately drought-tolerant arborvitae.
Balanced fertilization supports overall vigor, applied judiciously to avoid over-feeding. A general purpose, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring provides nutrients for both the arborvitae and its companions. Pruning requirements vary; the arborvitae needs light shaping, while perennials may benefit from deadheading or trimming.
Monitor for pests and diseases. Regular inspection helps detect issues early, allowing timely intervention. Addressing signs of stress or disease promptly ensures continued health and aesthetic appeal of the entire garden bed.