Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' / Fire Chief™ Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' is a cultivar of Arborvitae, currently marketed as Fire Chief™, patented by Monrovia nursery under USPP #19,009. Fire Chief™ is a choice and desirable dwarf, globose, shrubby conifer with dense branching holding feathery, juvenile foliage that is bright gold in spring, later presenting deep red fall color. Monrovia claims it to be a "slow growing, low maintenance evergreen, perfect for massing in a landscape foundation or as a rock garden specimen."

After 10 years, a mature specimen will measure 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide, an annual growth rate of 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm).

This cultivar originated as a branch sport found in the early 2000s on a specimen of Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' by Gabe Cesarini of Denton, Maryland, USA. Many consider it superior to its parent due to superior color throughout the season and being less prone to splitting under the load of snow or ice in winter.

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Attribution from: Monrovia Nursery, inc., website and online catalog

Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' - Fire Chief™ Arborvitae — an attractive grouping of young plants in a garden setting.
Photo by Conrad Pyle, Monrovia Nursery, inc.
Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' - Fire Chief™ Arborvitae — a closeup of foliage detail in fall.
Photo by Doreen Wynja, Monrovia Nursery, inc.
Doreen L. Wynja

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