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Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis MR. BOWLING BALL 'Bobozam'

Regular price $7999
  • In Stock
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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.

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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

Plant Highlights

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae highlights at a glance!

Specifications

  • Brand
    Nature Hills' Choice
  • Botanical Name
    Thuja occidentalis MR. BOWLING BALL 'Bobozam'
  • Growing Zones
    3-8
  • Mature Height
    2 - 3 feet
  • Mature Spread
    2 - 3 feet
  • Sun Exposure
    Full Sun
  • Moisture
    Moderate
  • Soil
    Well-Drained
  • Growth Rate
    Slow
  • Fall Color
    Evergreen
  • Pruning Time
    Early Spring

Everyone loves the formality of round, evergreen spheres! But why spend time clipping and shaping, when you can plant something that grows into a perfect sphere all by itself without help?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Bobazam') is a dwarf, rounded cultivar of the species. Also known as White Cedars, these pretty shrubs are native to the upper northeast United States.

This hardy plant has all the wonderful characteristics of an Arborvitae, but it grows in a unique, compact, perfectly globe-shaped form. It requires little shearing and needs rare pruning to remain neat and tidy! It's an outstanding selection where space is limited.

Mr. Bowling Ball®'s lacy, fine-textured foliage is soft to the touch. It fills in all the way to the ground and retains its rich, green color year-round.

It has no significant disease or insect problems. Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae is long-lived and a great investment for USDA planting zones 3-8 landscapes.

Landscape Application:

Many people like to use this plant in their foundation plantings. But their small size and low-maintenance nature make them a wonderful addition just about anywhere!

We recommend using an odd number of plants for the best visual results. Curved lines will look more natural than stick-straight rows.

Create an excellent low hedge with multiple plants. Space them two feet apart on center. You'll measure from the center of one to the center of the next. Try them as a mass planting in areas that periodically stay damp. Use a staggered, zig-zagging planting pattern, two feet on center. Mulch between plants and keep newly installed mass plantings weeded until they grow together and touch.

They'll make a wonderful ribbon of steady green color to define garden areas. Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae add a formal touch but have a fine texture that looks soft and pleasing.

Have fun with Mr. Bowling Ball®! Why not create geometric patterns for a living maze, labyrinth or game board? Kids would love to run all around them. Let their creativity run wild as they burn off some energy.

Add to a special collection in rock gardens, or as part of a privacy planting. It looks terrific planted at the base of everything from taller American Arborvitae to flowering shrubs.

Use Mr. Bowling Ball® as an easy-care "Thriller" in exterior containers. Place one on either side of your front door to elevate them and increase their impact.

March a series of ultra-modern containers along the length of your pool deck for a very high-end look. Run drip irrigation to keep the containers watered, and get your weekends back!

  • True Dwarf Evergreen
  • Lacy, Blue-Green Foliage
  • Compact, Unique Shape Grows Into A Perfect Sphere
  • Holds Color Well In Winter
  • Fantastic Space-Saving Conifers
  • Great in Containers, Facer Plants, Edging & Border Plants

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant Mr. Bowling Ball® in full sun in cooler growing zones. While it's a rugged plant, it would appreciate some afternoon shade in hotter summer areas of Zone 6 and 8. It loves rich, moist, well-drained soils, however, it will adapt to most soil types, including clay or alkaline. It can even tolerate soil that periodically remains wet.

Give it a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. Add a thick layer of mulch to maintain even moisture and cool the root system in the heat of summer. Mulch is beneficial for many reasons. It breaks down to add nutrients for healthier plants and pulls the visual look of the landscape together.

Mr. Bowling Ball® remains evergreen year-round. However, older interior foliage may be shed as part of a normal renewal cycle in the fall. Overall, your plants will always be a vibrant, mid-toned green. Apply a fertilizer formulated for evergreens in early spring according to the directions. Top-dress with compost every other year to improve your soil quality over time.

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae is a dwarf conifer that is adaptable to a variety of soils and conditions, including urban pollution and salt.

  • Hardy In Full Sun But Prefers Part Shade In Hotter Climates
  • Well-Drained Soil - Tolerates Salt/Saline
  • Moderate Moisture - Tolerates Wet Areas
  • Rarely Needs Pruning But Can Be In Spring
  • Salt & Urban Pollution Tolerant

Don't be surprised if you fall in love with these cute, little evergreen shrubs. Order the low-maintenance, charming Mr. Bowling Ball® Dwarf Arborvitae for your landscape this year!

Customer Reviews

Based on 15 reviews
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(9)
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(6)
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C
Clara
I just love my bowling ball bushes

It took time for them to grow 3 feet tall but it was worth it. It is are so easy to take care of them. My sons had their eyes on them for some time; so, I gave them all to them. They look so interesting in their yards. I would like to order more for my yard. They will always have a home with my family.

Hello Clara,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with your bowling ball bushes! We’re delighted to hear that their slow but steady growth has rewarded you with beautiful, easy-to-care-for plants that your whole family can enjoy. It’s heartwarming to know your sons are enjoying them in their yards; those unique shapes really do make a fascinating addition to any space!

If you’re ready to add more to your garden, we’d be happy to help you pick out additional plants that thrive under similar care or complement your current collection. Feel free to reach out if you need recommendations or planting tips for your new additions—we’re always here to support your gardening journey.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

R
Robert
No problems, followed directions, planted

No problems, followed directions, planted it and it has grown fine

Dear Robert,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that following the directions made your planting process smooth and that your plant is thriving. It’s always our goal to provide clear guidance to help your garden flourish.

If you ever have any questions or want tips on how to care for your plants as they continue to grow, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support your gardening journey every step of the way!

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

R
Robert
No problems, followed directions, planted

No problems, followed directions, planted it and it has grown fine

Hi Robert,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience! We're thrilled to hear that following the directions led to a healthy, flourishing plant. Your success makes all the effort worth it!

If you ever have any questions or want tips on continuing to care for your green friend, don’t hesitate to reach out—we're here to help your garden thrive.

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

R
Roann
I love this bush. It

I love this bush. It looks very nice in our landscape.

Dear Roann,

Thank you so much for sharing your lovely feedback! We're thrilled to hear that the bush has found a happy spot in your landscape and that it brings beauty to your outdoor space. If you ever have questions about seasonal care or just want some tips to keep your bushes thriving, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re always here to help.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

D
Dawn
The Ball

I love him; the size is perfect BUT there's quite a bit of brown that was on it when it got here and a little more since. I will cover it the end of the month to protect it during the winter and hopefully it will be ok in the spring when the cover comes off.Is this normal?

Hello Dawn,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with The Ball! We’re so glad to hear you love the size and have such a connection with it. Regarding the brown spots, it’s actually quite normal for deciduous and some evergreen plants to develop some discoloration or spotting—especially after they’ve experienced shift in weather or environmental stresses. Covering it through the winter is a wonderful idea, as it helps protect your plant from chill and moisture damage. When you remove the cover in spring, pruning any browned or damaged sections will encourage healthy new growth.

If you want, we’re happy to provide some tailored care tips specific to your plant’s variety to ensure it thrives beautifully! Please feel free to reach out anytime for more guidance or questions.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

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