Origin of Thuji occidentalis 'Sunny smaragd'
In nursery - just like in life - success requires a stroke of luck. In the sea of green 'Smaragd' a single, sunny yellow branch appeared. This is how nature created the first copy of Thuja occidentalis 'Sunny Smaragd'. Sebastiaan Hoogenraad - the legendary Dutch nursery grower - spotted her, chopped off and rooted her.
Sounds very simple, but it took another 7 years for the new variety to become established and marketed.7 years of multiplication and careful observation brought the expected, positive results.
8 unique features
1. It can grow in full sun, yet it does not suffer from burns typical of other colorful life.
2. When planted in partial shade, it beautifully stains a sunny yellow, warm color, and young shoots have a slightly orange color.
3. In winter, it retains its unique color, much warmer than other similar varieties.
4. It does not produce seeds, the browning scales of which could disfigure the plant and pollute the environment.
5. It is dense, shapely and elegant.
6. Planted in a decorative pot on the terrace, it is a real decoration - it does not turn brown like many similar ones.
7. It grows faster than, for example, 'Golden Smaragd', so it can be successfully planted as a hedge.
8. After 10 years, it reaches only 2-2.5 m in height, so there is no fear that it will dominate the surroundings and get out of control.
Through the eye of specialists
"'Sunny Smaragd' caught our attention primarily with its unique, warm color. We started to observe him regularly in the nursery, we were very curious how he would stand out among other yellow thuys.
First of all, we noticed that it grew faster than the very similar 'Golden Smaragd'. He revealed another positive feature in the summer. In the nursery, in the field, the young plants stood in full sun, yet they were still sunny yellow, without any burns. It looked very promising, because most garden owners avoid yellow thuja precisely because of the unsightly discoloration that appears in sunny places.
Our future champion fulfilled the hopes placed in him also in winter. I got a few copies before the plant was introduced to the market and planted it in pots on the terrace. Every morning, all winter long, I had the feeling that the sun was shining, even on cloudy days." - Peter van Rijssen, Plantipp.
"" Sunny Smaragd "immediately caught my attention as soon as I saw him - this warm, sunny color made my eyes shine and my hand instinctively reached for the camera. Incredibly intense color, even in full sun, partial shade and winter, is undoubtedly the strongest advantage of this plant.
Generally I am not a fan of yellow thuja, but this variety is an exception. 'Sunny Smaragd' is a 'child' of the ordinary, green 'Smaragda', from which it inherited its regular shape, density and versatility. It works perfectly as a hedge - it grows faster than similar yellow thyme, but it does not drown out everything around, as it grows to only 2-2.5 m in height.
Works great in decorative containers on the terrace. I tested it in the demanding conditions of my northern Warsaw balcony.Watered regularly, it looked very nice all summer and winter. It kept the color, shape and, also important to me, it didn't produce seeds to litter the floor. "- Krystyna Bargieł, Wings with Flower.
