Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'MR. BOWLING BALL'

Nature Hills Nursery

Naturally Perfect Sphere Shape Requires Minimal Pruning, No Formal Shearing Needed
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 3 ft Tall and Wide
Evergreen Year-Round Color and Privacy
Fragrant Blooms in Late Spring

$77⁰⁹

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Plant Size

#3 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This evergreen performs best in full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct light daily. While it can handle partial shade, the foliage density will thin out and that signature spherical shape becomes less compact.
Soil: It thrives in moist, well drained soil that is relatively rich. If you have heavy clay, plant it in a slight mound to improve drainage; for sandy soil, mix in some compost to help hold moisture around the shallow root system.

Watering Requirements

During the first two years, water deeply twice a week to ensure the roots establish firmly in their new home. Once mature, this Arborvitae is quite resilient, but inconsistent moisture during heat waves can lead to needle browning or "interior shedding." Think of consistent moisture as the fuel that keeps its color vibrant and its shape full.

Pruning Tips

Mr. Bowling Ball® naturally maintains its rounded form, so it rarely needs a "haircut" to look good. If you choose to trim for size, do so in early spring before new growth begins, as it produces foliage on the previous year's wood. Avoid cutting back into the leafless brown interior of the branches, because these "bald" spots will not regrow new needles.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release evergreen fertilizer once in early spring to support the flush of new growth. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers in late summer or fall, as this encourages tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. This prevents the "tip burn" that occurs when soft growth is hit by freezing winter temperatures.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Attracts pollinators, Cold hardy, Compact/Dwarf, Container Friendly, Deer-resistant, Evergreen, Full Sun, Low Maintenance, Non-invasive, Salt Tolerant, Shade Tolerant
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	3 ft
Width	3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Bushy, Upright
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Green
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Arborvitae
Botanical Name	Thuja occidentalis MR. BOWLING BALL 'Bobozam'
Species	occidentalis
Cultivar	Bobozam
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it spread over time?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae naturally grows into a compact, globe-shaped form without spreading beyond its intended size. This dwarf cultivar maintains its perfectly round shape with minimal pruning in zones 3-8. Space plants 2 feet apart center-to-center for hedging or mass plantings.

What planting zones is Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae hardy in?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae thrives in USDA planting zones 3-8. This hardy shrub handles cold northern winters and adapts well to various climates across most of the continental US. Shop at Nature Hills for this long-lived, low-maintenance evergreen.

What type of soil does Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae prefer?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae adapts to most well-draining soils and tolerates areas that stay periodically damp. These hardy shrubs aren't picky about soil type. Plant in zones 3-8 and ensure good drainage to prevent root rot.

How often should I water my newly planted Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae?

Water newly planted Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae deeply 2-3 times per week for the first month. These hardy shrubs tolerate damp conditions well once established. Reduce to weekly watering after the first growing season, checking soil moisture 2 inches down.

Does Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae produce flowers and if so, what color are they?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae produces tiny, inconspicuous flowers that are greenish-yellow in color. Like most arborvitae, the flowers are small and not ornamentally significant. This evergreen is grown for its perfect globe shape and year-round foliage rather than blooms.

Is Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae deer resistant?

Arborvitae are generally deer resistant due to their aromatic foliage that deer typically avoid. While no plant is 100% deer-proof, Mr. Bowling Ball® shares this natural protection common to Thuja species. For best results in deer-heavy areas, plant in zones 3-8 and consider additional deterrents during establishment.

Can Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae be shipped to my location year-round?

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae can be shipped during appropriate planting seasons for zones 3-8. Shipping timing depends on your local climate and soil conditions. Check your specific zone's recommended planting windows for best establishment results.

Does Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae require regular pruning to maintain its shape?

No, Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae naturally grows into a perfect sphere without regular pruning. This dwarf cultivar requires little shearing and only rare pruning to stay neat and tidy. Simply remove any damaged or wayward branches as needed to maintain its compact, globe shape.

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae

Thuja occidentalis 'MR. BOWLING BALL'