Holmstrup Arborvitae Tree

Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup'

$109¹⁹ $129⁹⁹

In Stock
Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™

Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.

This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.

Click Here to learn more

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping

To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.

Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.

*If you have found your zone already, it will be highlighted in the table below.

Standard Shipping Rates

At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.

From	To	S&H
$0	$19.99	$24.99
$20	$49.99	$29.99
$50	$69.99	$34.99
$70	$99.99	$39.99
$100	$129.99	$44.99
$130	$149.99	$48.99
$150	$150+	Approx 28%

Click here to see our full rates

Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Highlights

Holmstrup Arborvitae Tree highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Nature Hills' Choice
Botanical Name

Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup'
Growing Zones

3-8
Mature Height

4 - 6 feet
Mature Spread

2 - 3 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Moderate to Low
Soil

Widely Adaptable
Growth Rate

Medium
Fall Color

Evergreen
Pruning Time

Early Spring
Bloom Period

Summer

Growing Zones 3-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Fluffy Columnar Form - Holmstrum Arborvitae Tree

Arborvitae are solid standards in the garden. Naturally narrow, pyramidal, and tidy, Holmstrup Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup') is highly sought-after and beautiful! A columnar Thuja, Holmstrup has a great texture with fern-like foliage making the shrub appear "fluffy".

People often call this shrub cuddly, but don't let the soft texture fool you! This is one tough evergreen, holding its color without fading or bronzing. Holmstrup is an exceptional and versatile Arborvitae variety for its color and fine-textured appearance in your landscape plus red-brown bark (in the few places it is visible on this dense evergreen)!

Held in tufted sprays, held in vertical arrangements, Holmstrup stays full through and through. Incredibly cold-hardy and adaptable, Holmstrup thrives in USDA planting zones 3-8. Growing to a tidy 4 - 6 foot tall columnar tree that spreads just 2-3 feet wide, Thuja handles a wide range of growing conditions.

Also known as Northern White Cedar, Eastern White Cedar, Holmstrup is a cultivar of the beautiful American Arborvitae.

Landscape Application:

Holmstrup Eastern Arborvitae Trees are perfect for all sites and landscapes! These hardy evergreens are great at grounding a foundation planting or perennial border. Plant it where you need some year-round interest or give structure to a landscaping bed.

Holmstrup is one of the smaller of the Arborvitaes, so it does well in a smaller modern garden. Replace Boxwood shrubs by keeping Holmstrup trimmed as a low hedge. Ideal backdrops and privacy hedges, create property division, screening hedges, and borders!

Great in containers, two matching urns flanking your front door with Holmstrup and trailing vines add an instant designer touch to your home. Small enough for container gardens, a pair of Holmstrup in matching large planters for an impressive show. Columnar Arborvitae are perfect for all your patio, porch, and balcony gardening needs!

Lovely, Soft, Fluffy Fern-Like Foliage
Compact Tidy Pyramidal Small Tree
Holds Its Evergreen Color Year-Round
Smaller Size For All Sized Yards
For Backdrops, Specimens, Containers & Privacy Hedges

#ProPlantTips for Care

Arborvitae need full sun to grow their best and handle all kinds of well-drained soils. Provide regular moisture for new trees but once established, Thuja becomes drought tolerant. However, plants in colder climates appreciate a good long drink in the fall before winter sets in. A well-watered evergreen has less winter burn than one with dry roots.

Top-dress with a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the entire root system for best results. Shear or prune your tree if needed in the spring after the first flush of growth.

Full Sun Needs
Adaptive To A Variety Of Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs
Prune In Spring
Urban Environment Tolerant

Reliable color and fine landscape texture year-round, the Holmstrup Arborvitae Tree will be your new favorite evergreen! Nature Hills only ship strong and healthy plants, so order a few Holmstrup from us today!

Arborvitae Tree FAQ

How do you care for Arborvitae?

Plant Evergreen Arborvitae in full sun
Choose a well-drained location with moderate moisture access
Prune or shear after the first flush of spring growth
These conifers only need extra water during the fall before winter, and during prolonged drought conditions.

How large do Holmstrup Arborvitae get?

Holmstrup Thuja Tree of Life grows just 4 - 6 feet tall and 2 - 3 feet wide.

Are Holmstrup arborvitae deer resistant?

Arborvitae are often browsed by deer and other wildlife but quickly regrow after a few nibbles. In areas with high deer pressure, we recommend you spray your shrub with deer repellant from day one. Continue treating your tree according to product directions.

How fast does Arborvitae grow?

Arborvitae trees have a medium to fast growth rate, especially when young.

Thrives in sun

I bought 3 bare root holmstrup from nature hills last spring. They're all doing well but one gets less sun in the afternoon & the other 2 have grown noticeably faster. The 2 that are taller get almost full sun. I'm in Missouri in zone 6. I'm here to buy something else, just thought I would share my experience.

Hello Lucky,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with the Holmstrup Arborvitae trees! It’s wonderful to hear that all three are doing well after planting last spring. You’re absolutely right—those trees receiving more afternoon sun will often grow a bit faster, as morning and afternoon sunlight can boost their photosynthesis and overall vigor, especially in Zone 6 like Missouri. The variety of growth speeds you’re seeing is a great observation and totally normal when sun exposure varies.

Since you’re looking for your next plants to add, feel free to reach out if you need recommendations based on yard conditions like sun exposure, soil type, or intended use. We also have detailed planting guides and tips for your zone on our website if you need help giving your new plants the best start. Please don’t hesitate to ask—our team loves matching gardeners with just the right selections!

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

Thrives in sun

Hi Lucky,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your Holmstrup Arborvitae! We’re thrilled to hear that all three are doing well, and your observation about the difference in growth likely comes down to that extra afternoon sun—oser exposure definitely helps these evergreens thrive, especially in Zone 6 Missouri.

If you’re considering adding more plants, you might look for varieties that tolerate part shade a bit better for spots receiving less direct afternoon sun. We’d be happy to help recommend options depending on your yard’s light conditions and your gardening goals!

Feel free to reach out anytime with questions or for personalized suggestions. We love supporting gardeners like you who pay such close attention to the details.

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Soft leaves

I really like the soft texture of the Holmstrup arborvitae. I can almost refer to it as a cuddly plant.

Hi Sally,

Thank you so much for sharing your delightful experience with the Holmstrup Arborvitae! We’re thrilled to hear that you find its soft texture so enjoyable—“cuddly plant” is such a heartwarming description. These trees truly add a lovely, gentle touch to any garden.

If you’d like, we can offer some tips to help your Holmstrup Arborvitae thrive even more: regular watering during its first few growing seasons, preserving its soft foliage with gentle pruning, and placing it in an area with well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or want care suggestions tailored specifically to your garden.

Thanks again for your wonderful feedback, Sally. We’re rooting for your garden’s continued success!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

Soft leaves

I really like the soft texture of the Holmstrup arborvitae. I can almost refer to it as a cuddly plant.

Hi Sally,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely thoughts about your Holmstrup arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear you appreciate its soft, cuddly texture—there truly is something special about plants that invite a gentle touch. The Holmstrup is known for its vibrant green foliage and lush softness, making it a wonderful addition that adds both beauty and a tactile charm to your garden.

If you’d like to help your arborvitae maintain that softness and vibrancy, regular watering during dry spells and occasional gentle pruning can keep it looking its best. Also, feel free to check out our detailed care guides for ideal maintenance tips to keep your tree thriving through the seasons.

Thank you again for your feedback; it means a lot to us and helpful to other gardeners who may be considering adding this lovely tree to their landscape.

Growing with you,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

Just What The Doctor Ordered

I planted the Holstrup arborvitae between my neighbor and my yard. I didn't want to block out the neighbor but to define a boundary and create some more textured green in my back yard. This tree looks great in my yard.

Hello Joseph,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your Holmstrup Arborvitae! We’re delighted to hear that it’s helping you define your yard’s boundary while adding that lovely textured greenery you wanted. It sounds like you found the perfect balance—enhancing your space without overshadowing your neighbor’s yard.

If you ever want to keep your arborvitae looking its best, we recommend regular watering during dry spells (especially the first couple of growing seasons) and occasional light pruning to maintain that pristine shape and density. Feel free to reach out anytime if you have questions or want tips on caring for your new green addition!