The Golden Globe plant, an ornamental shrub, offers vibrant color and a unique spherical form to any garden. Its striking golden foliage and neat shape make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking visual appeal and ease of care. This plant provides year-round interest, maintaining its bright hues.
Identifying the Golden Globe
The Golden Globe plant, Thuja occidentalis ‘Golden Globe’, is a cultivar of the Eastern Arborvitae. This evergreen conifer is known for its compact, rounded growth habit, which requires minimal pruning. Its foliage features bright golden-yellow, scale-like leaves that are densely packed and retain their vivid color throughout the year, though they may take on a slight bronze tint in winter in colder regions.
This dwarf variety typically reaches 3 to 4 feet in both height and width, making it suitable for various garden spaces. The soft texture of its foliage distinguishes it from many other conifers. While the new growth is particularly golden, the interior foliage often maintains a greener hue, creating a subtle two-toned effect.
Ideal Growing Conditions
For the Golden Globe plant to display its most vibrant color, full sun exposure is recommended. While it can tolerate partial shade, reduced light may result in less intense golden coloration. In particularly hot summer climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent sun scorch.
This plant prefers well-drained soil and is adaptable to various soil types, including loamy, sandy, and clay. An ideal soil pH for the Golden Globe plant is neutral to slightly acidic, between 4.5 and 7.0. Consistent moisture is important, particularly for young plants, but established plants show good drought tolerance. The Golden Globe Arborvitae is cold hardy and performs well in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
Planting and Ongoing Care
When planting a Golden Globe, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide. Place the plant, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil, especially in clay soils. Backfill with soil, gently tamp it down, and water thoroughly to settle the soil. Applying mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
For ongoing care, consistent watering is important, particularly during the first growing season to establish a robust root system. Once established, the plant becomes relatively drought-tolerant, but occasional deep watering during dry spells is beneficial. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot. Fertilization is minimal; a balanced, slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring.
The Golden Globe plant naturally maintains its spherical shape, so heavy pruning is rarely necessary. Pruning for shaping or to remove dead or damaged branches should be done in late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Light trimming of new growth can help maintain a compact form. This cultivar generally exhibits good resistance to common pests and diseases, contributing to its low-maintenance nature. However, monitoring for issues like spider mites and canker is advisable, particularly if the plant is under stress.
Landscaping Applications
The Golden Globe plant’s compact size, vibrant color, and spherical form make it a versatile addition to landscape designs. It serves as a striking specimen plant, drawing attention with its bright golden foliage. Its neat shape makes it an excellent choice for formal gardens, foundation plantings, or defining borders and pathways.
Planting multiple Golden Globes in a mass creates a bold, unified visual impact. They are also well-suited for container gardening on patios, decks, and balconies. The year-round color of this evergreen provides continuous interest, offering a warm contrast against greener plants and winter landscapes.