Tater Tot Arborvitae, a compact evergreen shrub, is popular for its spherical shape and fine foliage, making it versatile in garden designs. Companion planting enhances its aesthetic appeal and creates a cohesive, thriving garden environment. This involves selecting plants to grow alongside the arborvitae for visual and ecological balance.
Tater Tot Arborvitae: Key Characteristics
Tater Tot Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘SMNTOBAB’) is a dwarf evergreen shrub known for its naturally rounded, mounded, and compact growth habit. It typically reaches a mature size of 1 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Its vibrant green, fan-like foliage maintains its color throughout the year, providing consistent visual interest.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth. It prefers well-drained, moist soil but is adaptable to various soil types, though it dislikes overly wet conditions which can lead to root rot. It is hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8, suitable for diverse climates.
What Makes a Good Companion Plant
Selecting companion plants involves considering environmental compatibility and aesthetic appeal. Plants should share similar needs, including light, water, and soil pH, to thrive without competing for resources. Overcrowding leads to stunted growth and increased disease susceptibility.
Aesthetically, complementary colors, contrasting textures, and varied forms and heights create a dynamic display. Considering mature size and growth habit prevents overcrowding, ensuring adequate space. Proper spacing also improves air circulation, which helps prevent fungal diseases and pest infestations.
Ideal Companion Plants for Tater Tot Arborvitae
When choosing companions for Tater Tot Arborvitae, look for plants that complement its spherical form and evergreen foliage. Perennials, ornamental grasses, and low-growing shrubs are excellent choices, offering diverse textures, colors, and forms. Many plants that thrive in full to partial sun and well-drained soil will pair well.
Ornamental Grasses
For contrasting textures and year-round interest, consider ornamental grasses:
Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca): Offers fine, blue-gray foliage that contrasts with the arborvitae’s denser leaves.
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella tenuissima): Provides airy, golden plumes and adds movement, thriving in dry, sunny spots.
Evergreen sedges (Carex species like ‘Ice Dance’ or ‘Evergold’): Offer a range of colors and textures, appealing through winter.
Flowering Perennials
Flowering perennials introduce seasonal color and softer forms:
Hardy Geraniums (‘Rozanne’ or similar): Produce delicate flowers from late spring into summer, tolerating sun, some shade, and drier soil.
Sedum (Stonecrop): Varieties with succulent leaves and late-season flowers thrive in sunny, dry locations, offering texture and pollinator appeal.
Coneflowers (Echinacea): Offer vibrant pink, purple, or white blooms that attract pollinators and contrast with the arborvitae’s green.
Low-growing Shrubs
Low-growing shrubs can echo the Tater Tot Arborvitae’s compact habit while adding different foliage colors or textures:
Small Boxwood (Buxus) varieties: Provide a classic, formal texture contrast and can be shaped.
Dwarf conifers: Offer a range of needle textures and colors for an interesting display.
Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia): Provides bright yellow-green foliage that spills beautifully, contrasting with the arborvitae’s deep green.
Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): Offers delicate white flowers and fragrant leaves, suited for some shade.
Annuals
Annuals provide bursts of color and fill gaps while plants mature:
Alyssum: Creates a soft carpet around the arborvitae’s base with its low-growing, cascading habit and tiny flowers.
Marigolds: Known for deterring pests and offering cheerful yellow and orange blooms.
These plants offer flexibility and fresh visual interest each growing season.
Arranging Your Companion Plants
Arranging companion plants around Tater Tot Arborvitae creates a cohesive and visually appealing garden. Layering involves placing plants of varying heights to create depth and interest. Taller plants form the background, medium-sized plants occupy the middle ground, and shorter plants or groundcovers are positioned in the foreground. This ensures all plants are visible and receive adequate light.
Proper spacing is important for plant health and aesthetic balance. Allow enough room for each plant to reach its mature size without overcrowding, promoting better air circulation and reducing disease risk. For Tater Tot Arborvitae (2 to 4 feet wide), space companions so their mature forms just barely touch.
Creating focal points, such as the arborvitae itself, draws the eye and adds structure, enhanced by contrasting textures or colors. Repetition of plant types, colors, or forms provides unity and rhythm. Massing (planting groups of the same plant) creates impactful blocks of color or texture. Consider year-round interest by selecting plants with varied bloom times, interesting foliage, or winter appeal to ensure the garden remains attractive.