Thuja occidentalis 'George Washington'

Thuja occidentalis 'George Washington' is a fast growing, large upright conical selection of Eastern arborvitae. Foliage is a nice, bright yellow-gold, which seasonally "molts," resulting in a variegated look. Typical rate of growth in most areas is 6 to 10 inches (15 - 25 cm) a year resulting in a narrow pyramid 6 feet tall and 2 feet wide (1 x 0.6 m) after 10 years in the landscape.

Little is known at present as to the origin of this cultivar other than it came about in the United States in the mid-1980s.

Thuja occidentalis `George Washington'
Photo by John Fertig
Thuja occidentalis 'George Washington' Spring time photo.
Photo by John Fertig
Thuja occidentalis 'George Washington' — some list as occidentalis, some plicata. Looks more plicata to me.
Photo by John Fertig
Thuja occidentalis 'George Washington' — a 12-year-old plant originally from a one-gallon start from Stanley and Sons Nursery, Boring, Oregon. This specimen is in a private garden north of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Photo by Terri Park
A picture displaying seasonal variation — winter color has more contrast between yellow variegation and dark olive green.
Photo by Terri Park

Comments

Jay Park

We have grown this plant since 1999 and the leaves were never a bright gold. It has a variegated yellow stripe year round with brighter green foliage in the spring and turns darker olive green in winter but still had the yellow stripe. It never looks gold overall. Terri and Jay Park, N of Indianapolis, IN.

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