The ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae is a unique evergreen shrub, celebrated for its naturally spherical shape and dense foliage. This compact plant offers year-round visual appeal, making it a distinctive addition to various garden designs. Companion planting around this arborvitae involves selecting plants that not only thrive in similar conditions but also enhance its aesthetic qualities, creating a harmonious landscape. This practice boosts garden health and visual interest.
Understanding Mr. Bowling Ball’s Needs and Characteristics
‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae, scientifically known as Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobozam’, is a dwarf conifer that typically reaches 2 to 3 feet in both height and spread. Its perfectly rounded form and soft, lacy, blue-green foliage provide a distinctive texture and consistent color throughout the year. This low-maintenance shrub maintains its globe-like appearance without the need for frequent pruning.
The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade, with full sun promoting denser foliage growth. It adapts to a wide range of soil types but performs best in moist, well-drained loams with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Once established, ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae shows tolerance to periods of drought, though consistent moisture is preferred for optimal health. Its inherent hardiness allows it to flourish across USDA zones 3 to 8.
Key Considerations for Companion Planting
Selecting companion plants for ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae involves aligning environmental needs to ensure all plants thrive together. Matching light, water, and soil pH requirements is a primary consideration for a successful planting. Plants chosen should share similar preferences to avoid stressing either the arborvitae or its neighbors. This approach helps create a stable and sustainable garden environment.
Visual harmony is another important aspect, requiring attention to size, scale, color, and texture. Companion plants should not overshadow the ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ but rather complement its compact, spherical form. Contrasting fine textures with its dense foliage or incorporating varied colors can create dynamic visual interest. Plants that offer seasonal interest, such as different bloom times or winter foliage, can provide year-round appeal to the planting.
Recommended Companion Plants
Low-growing Perennials and Groundcovers
Low-growing perennials and groundcovers create a soft base around the arborvitae, enhancing its rounded form. Sedum, with its succulent leaves and varying colors, provides excellent drought tolerance once established, complementing the arborvitae’s needs. Creeping thyme offers a fine texture and can spread to form a dense mat. Hostas are suitable for shadier spots, adding broad foliage contrast. Low-growing ornamental grasses, such as dwarf fescues, provide subtle movement and contrasting texture, maintaining the low profile around the base of the arborvitae.
Flowering Plants
Flowering plants introduce bursts of color, drawing the eye and adding vibrancy to the planting. Coneflowers (Echinacea) offer cheerful, daisy-like blooms and are generally hardy and sun-loving. Salvia species provide spires of blue or purple flowers that contrast nicely with the arborvitae’s green. Coreopsis brings bright yellow or orange flowers, extending bloom periods through summer. Lavender not only adds a soothing purple hue and fragrance but also thrives in similar well-drained conditions, while low-growing hydrangeas can offer larger, rounded flower clusters, adding a touch of classic elegance.
Evergreens with Differing Textures or Forms
Evergreens with differing textures or forms can introduce subtle variations while maintaining year-round structure. Dwarf conifers, such as certain dwarf spruces or pines, can provide a more upright or conical shape, creating vertical contrast to the spherical arborvitae. Their needle textures also differ from the arborvitae’s lacy foliage, adding another layer of interest. Low-growing junipers, with their spreading habit or distinct blue-green needles, can offer a ground-hugging evergreen element. These choices contribute to a cohesive, structured look that remains appealing in all seasons.
Deciduous Shrubs
Deciduous shrubs can provide seasonal highlights, particularly winter interest after their leaves drop. Dwarf dogwood varieties are notable for their vibrant stem colors in winter, ranging from bright red to yellow, offering a striking contrast against the evergreen backdrop of ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’. These shrubs can add a dynamic element to the garden, ensuring visual engagement even during colder months. Selecting varieties that maintain a compact size helps prevent them from overwhelming the arborvitae as they mature.
Designing with Companion Plants
Thoughtful arrangement of companion plants around ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae can significantly enhance its visual impact. When placing plants, consider their mature size to ensure adequate spacing and prevent overcrowding, typically allowing 2 to 3 feet between plants for proper air circulation and growth. This foresight supports the long-term health and aesthetic of the planting.
Layering plants of varying heights creates visual depth and a more natural appearance. Positioning shorter groundcovers at the front, followed by medium-sized flowering plants, and using ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ as a central anchor or a mid-ground element, builds a rich tapestry of foliage and form. Repeating groups of the same companion plant can create a sense of unity and impact. ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae naturally serves as a focal point due to its distinct shape, and surrounding it with complementary plants can further emphasize its unique qualities.
Ongoing Care for Your Companion Planting
Maintaining the health of your companion planting around ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae involves consistent, yet minimal, care. During the establishment period, providing regular watering is important to help plants develop strong root systems. Once established, ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ and many of its recommended companions are relatively drought-tolerant, but deep watering during prolonged dry spells is beneficial.
Fertilizing needs are generally low for this arborvitae, and a balanced slow-release fertilizer can be applied in early spring if desired. Minimal pruning is typically required for ‘Mr. Bowling Ball’ Arborvitae itself, but companion plants may need occasional trimming to maintain their size and shape. This helps prevent them from encroaching on the arborvitae or other plants. Monitoring for common pests or diseases is a general practice to ensure the overall health of the garden.