Cedar 'Black'
Cedar 'Black'
Cedar 'Black'
Cedar 'Black'

Cedar 'Black'

Quebec Multiplants

$12.99
Title

Add a touch of deep, dark elegance to your landscape with the 'Nigra' Arborvitae. Prized for its intense, dark green foliage that remains vibrant even in the depths of winter, this sophisticated evergreen offers a polished look and a stately, pyramidal silhouette. Its dense, scale-like needles create a lush, velvety texture that serves as a dramatic backdrop for other garden favourites or stands alone as a striking vertical accent.
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Plant Details

Mature Size:

20–30' H x 5–10' W

Zone:

3-7

Watering:

Medium to High

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Black Cedar, Dark Green Arborvitae, American Arborvitae

Scientific Name:

Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra'

Type:

Ornamental Evergreen Shrub / Tree

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically reaches 15–30 feet (4.5–9 m) tall with a 5–10 foot (1.5–3 m) spread.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Upright, dense, and pyramidal or columnar.
  • Growth Rate: Moderate, roughly 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) per year.
  • Longevity: Can live for 50 years or more under ideal conditions.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full Sun to Part Shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, neutral to alkaline, well-drained loams.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable to various types, including clay and poor soils.
  • Watering: Regular watering is essential during dry spells and for young plants.

Special Features:

  • Disease Resistances: Generally robust, though susceptible to bagworms and spider mites if stressed.
  • Native Species: Derived from a species native to North America.
  • Attracts: Provides food and critical winter shelter for various birds.
  • Resistance: Tolerates urban pollution and cold Quebec-style winters.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom: Grown for foliage; flowers/cones are not ornamental.
  • Fall/Winter Colour: Retains its characteristic deep green colour year-round better than many other cultivars.
  • Bark: Reddish-brown peeling bark adds texture to mature specimens.
  • Evergreen Interest: Provides a dense, dark green structure throughout the winter.

Garden Value:

Widely used for high-density privacy screens, formal hedges, and windbreaks. Its narrow form also makes it an excellent specimen tree or vertical accent in smaller yards.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife: Highly valued by birds for nesting sites and protection.
  • Human: Provides immediate privacy and wind protection; historically used as a source of Vitamin C (Arborvitae meaning "Tree of Life").

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: Space 3–6 feet apart, depending on whether you want a dense screen or individual specimens.
  • Location Tips: Choose a location sheltered from strong, drying winter winds to prevent foliage burn.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of sun is recommended for maximum foliage density.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. Avoid letting the roots sit in water or dry out completely.
  • Maintenance, Fertilization: Low maintenance; typically requires minimal pruning except to maintain a formal shape. Apply a controlled-release fertilizer in early spring. 

Tolerances:

Clay soil, cold, heat (with moist roots), and urban pollution.

Tips For Success:

Mulch heavily around the root zone to retain moisture and protect shallow roots from temperature extremes. If used as a hedge, shear regularly in early summer to maintain a tight, formal appearance.
Fruit Profile