Primo® Dwarf Arborvitae

Primo® Arborvitae - Dwarf Evergreen Appeal

The Primo® Dwarf Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Islprim') is a stately and stylish mini-evergreen! It features a compact, pyramidal habit and dense, rich green foliage that shines all year round. This Arborvitae cultivar is a slow grower, making it perfect for tight garden spaces or formal hedges where neatness matters and time is short on supply!

Primo® resists browning in winter, a flaw (or is it a feature?) in many other evergreens, and boasts a tight, uniform structure that makes it feel like Ma Nature herself gave it a topiary trim!

With a mature height of about 3-4 feet and a spread of up to 18 inches wide, Primo® Arborvitae maintains a narrow, upright form with soft, flattened sprays of scale-like foliage in a deep emerald green. Unlike leggier conifers, this one stays lush to the ground with no bald ankles, making it a favorite for screening, foundations, and flanking walkways. While it doesn't produce showy cones or flowers, its tidy symmetry and color offer four seasons of reliable, formal flair!

Key Features

• Dwarf size: only 3-4 feet tall and 12-18 inches wide!
• Naturally dense, upright form with no pruning needed
• Evergreen foliage stays deep green year-round
• Cold-hardy USDA Planting Zones 4-8
• Highly adaptable and perfect for containers or small gardens
• Slow-growing = Low-maintenance!

Landscaping Uses

Native to North America, Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is a reliable favorite in cold climates, and Primo® keeps those hardy genetics while shrinking the footprint. Hardy in USDA Zones 4-8, this dwarf evergreen handles heavy snow, biting winds, and even some clay soil. It's a tough little shrub that handles urban air, poor soils, and compact spaces with grace!

Primo® Arborvitae grows into a miniature upright column just 3 feet tall and 12 inches wide, making it ideal for small-space gardening and formal container plantings.

With its tight, upright habit and densely packed sprays of flat, scale-like foliage, Primo® delivers architectural interest in miniature. Its formal columnar shape makes it look like a miniature topiary without the snips.

• Perfect for container gardens on patios and porches
• Use as a space-saving vertical accent in small foundation beds
• Plant in rows for tiny hedges or edging
• Great for Bonsai gardens or fairy landscapes
• Tuck into mixed borders for evergreen texture
• Perfect accents for balcony and apartment gardens!
• Add to winter planters for year-round interest

Care and Maintenance

This broadleaf evergreen shrub is slow-growing, cold-hardy, and perfect for gardeners who love form with little fuss. Primo® Arborvitae thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soils, but it's tougher than it looks. Read in-depth Arborvitae care information here.

• Planting Time: Best in spring or fall
• Sun Needs: Full sun to part shade (at least 6 hours of direct sun)
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained preferred; handles clay and urban soils
• Moisture Needs: Moderate; water regularly until established
• Arborist Mulch: A 3-4 inch deep layer of bark chips or shredded mulch helps conserve moisture and regulate temperature
• Fertilization Needs: Apply balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring
• Pruning Info: Rarely needed due to slow, compact growth; prune lightly in spring if shaping is desired
• Special Needs/Perks/Growing Tips:
• Cold-hardy
• Pollution-tolerant
• Deer-resistant
• Handles compacted soils and small urban spaces

Big Personality In A Little Package

If you're short on space but big on style, Primo® Arborvitae delivers! This dwarf evergreen offers crisp structure, rich year-round color, and low-maintenance charm that fits in a flowerpot or tiny garden nook. It's the top pick for compact class.

Get yours today, and Nature Hills Online Plant Nursery will ship this fantastic little gem to your doorstep!

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Primo® Arborvitae get?
This dwarf cultivar grows to just 3-4 feet tall and 12-18 inches wide.

Is Primo® Arborvitae good for containers?
Yes! Its size and slow growth make it a perfect fit for container gardens.

Will it stay green in winter?
Yes, Primo® keeps its rich green color even in cold weather and resists winter bronzing.

Does it need pruning?
Not really, its natural shape is tight and formal, but you can shape it lightly in spring if needed.

How fast does it grow?
Very slowly, expect just a few inches of growth per year, which helps maintain its shape without any work at all!