Franky Boy Arborvitae
Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy'
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Franky Boy Arborvitae - #3 Container 1-2 Feet is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
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.
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Delivery and Shipping
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.
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
Franky Boy Arborvitae highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun, Partial Shade
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateSlow
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Fall Color
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Pruning Time
Growing Zones
Franky Boy Arborvitae - Chartreuse Garden Texture
Meet the Franky Boy Arborvitae (Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy')—a wild and wonderful twist on a classic evergreen! This upright teardrop-shaped conifer stands out with its feathery, threadlike foliage in eye-popping chartreuse-gold that shifts to copper-bronze in the winter months. Franky Boy is a dwarf cultivar that grows slowly and stays compact, making it ideal for small spaces! Its texture and color make it the star of any planting!
Franky Boy Chinese Arborvitae is naturally pyramidal in form, reaching about 4-6 feet tall and wide at maturity. The foliage is soft and flexible—almost like fine, windswept lacy fringe—and densely packed on upright to slightly spreading stems. New growth is a zingy lemon-lime shade that glows in the landscape! In fall and winter, the gold turns into warm, bronzy tones, extending its appeal year-round.
>>Jump to Planting & Care Instructions
Key Features
- Dwarf, teardrop-shaped upright evergreen shrub with soft, threadlike foliage
- Bright chartreuse to gold coloring turns bronze in winter
- Slow-growing, maxes out around 4-6 feet tall and about 4 feet wide
- Adaptable to heat, drought, and poor soils
- A cultivar of Chinese Arborvitae (T. orientalis)
- Great for containers, rock gardens, or borders
- Low maintenance and deer resistant
Landscaping Uses
- Use as a bright space-saving focal point in small garden beds
- Tuck into mixed conifer borders for year-round texture
- Fantastic in containers or large pots
- Accent for Meditation Gardens, Japanese-style, Mediterranean, or Rock Gardens
- Great for color contrast against dark foliage or hardscaping
- Useful for erosion control on slopes or banks
- Perfect accents for balcony and apartment gardens!
- Pairs beautifully with darker greens or purples
Care and Maintenance
This is a Chinese Arborvitae, which means it hails from Platycladus orientalis, a species native to China and Korea and long revered in temple plantings and traditional gardens. This species is adapted to hotter, drier climates and can take poor soils in stride.
Franky Boy Chinese Arborvitae is hardy from Zones 5 to 8, withstanding urban smog, compacted soils, and drought once established. It's one tough cookie! This evergreen conifer is actually from the Cypress family. Franky Boy Chinese Arborvitae is heat-loving, drought-tolerant, and downright unfussy once settled.
- Planting Time: Spring or fall
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade (best color in full sun)
- Soil Needs: Well-drained soil; tolerates clay, rocky, sandy, and urban soils
- Moisture Needs: Low to moderate once established
- Arborist Mulch: A 3-4 inch deep layer of bark mulch or arborist chips is beneficial
- Fertilization Needs: Light feeding in early spring with balanced evergreen fertilizer
- Pruning Info: Rarely needed, but can be lightly shaped in early spring
- Renewal Pruning: Not necessary
- Special Perks/Growing Tips:
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant once established
- Tolerates pollution and compacted soil
- Handles coastal conditions and salty air
Read in-depth Arborvitae care information here.
Add Some Flair With Franky Boy
Fun and funky Franky Boy Chinese Arborvitae might sound like a jazz singer, but it performs more like a headliner in the landscape—compact, colorful, and wildly textured. It's the perfect plant to liven up small spots or give a dull bed a pop of golden pizzazz.
Buy now and Nature Hills will ship this fantastic variety right to you! How convenient!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deer eat my Franky Boy Arborvitae?
Highly unlikely—Franky Boy is considered deer resistant thanks to its aromatic foliage. In areas of high deer pressure, be ready with the deer repellent because no plant is deer-proof when they're desperate!
How fast does Franky Boy Arborvitae grow?
It grows slowly, only adding a few inches per year. Perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
Can I grow Franky Boy in a pot?
Absolutely—it thrives in containers and makes a fine potted specimen with year-round interest.
How does Chinese Arborvitae differ from Western/American Arborvitae?
Chinese Arborvitae is more drought- and heat-tolerant, better for southern or dry climates, and has a looser, more textured look.
