Leprechaun™ Arborvitae

Name: Leprechaun™ Arborvitae
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
Price: 114.98 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Thuja plicata x standishii 'Leprechaun'

Nature Hills Nursery

$114⁹⁸

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: This evergreen performs best in full sun, which means at least six hours of direct light daily. While it can handle partial shade, the foliage will lose that tight, dense "lollipop" look and might become slightly leggy or sparse.
Soil: It thrives in moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. If you have heavy clay, mix in some organic compost to improve drainage, or plant it in a slight mound to keep the "feet" of the plant from staying too soggy.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, water your Leprechaun™ Arborvitae deeply twice a week to ensure the root system anchors properly. Once established, it is remarkably drought-tolerant, though you should provide a deep soak during extended dry spells to prevent the needles from browning or shedding. Inconsistent watering during the heat of summer can lead to internal "needle cast," where the inner branches turn brown prematurely due to stress.

Pruning Tips

Since this variety is a natural dwarf with a tidy globose shape, it rarely needs pruning. If you want to touch up the edges, do so in early spring before new growth begins, as arborvitae generally buds on old wood but won't regrow from bare, brown interior branches. Think of it like a light trim rather than a heavy cut; only remove the green tips to maintain its formal appearance without reaching the "dead zone" in the center.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring as the ground thaws to fuel the season's growth. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer or fall. This prevents the plant from pushing out tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first freeze, which often results in winter kill or tip burn.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 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

Count yourself lucky indeed when you include the soft foliage and deep green saturated color of the Leprechaun Arborvitae (Thuja plicata x standishii 'Leprechaun') today! This lovely cultivar is an adorable smaller upright growing evergreen that is a delightfully cold-hardy privacy shrub to enliven your landscape on a smaller footprint!

A true dwarf, you'll love the long spires of new growth that become fluffy and dense once they fill out later in the season. You'll not sacrifice space to include a columnar evergreen into your landscape! With a spiky and deep green texture with a pointed form that are sure to make this shamrock-green little number a sure standout all growing season and beyond! You'll get great color in the fall and winter without the usual bronzing some other Arborvitae sometimes get once the cold sets in.

Leprechaun has a fantastic densely packed and compact form, plus a slower growth rate which should translate to low maintenance! Requiring almost zero pruning, less fuss and never needing to worry about this little shrub outgrowing its space! Cold hardy throughout USDA growing zones 5 through 8, Leprechaun typically grows to within 7 - 10 feet in height and a mature spread of 4 - 6 feet.

Planting and Application:

Leprechaun Arborvitae are lovely specimen evergreens for dressing up your front entry where you can decorate them for every season or holiday. In the ground, add evenly-spaced exclamation points throughout a bed or border to add height and interest all year round!

Arborvitae are incredibly versatile hedging for space-saving screening and privacy! Create low living walls and outdoor rooms to section off your own little slices of heaven! Keep the neighbor's peeping eyes and slow the wind with a semi-circle or row of these lush plants! You'll enjoy their year-round greenery that breaks up the winter doldrums!

Perfectly sized to use around smaller properties, porches and patios, even balcony and container gardeners can enjoy greenery and privacy in planters anywhere! Pot up in large containers in a row along your driveway, or around a poolside planting, dressed up with a skirting of spillers, cascading from the base of the plants!

Dark Green Soft Evergreen Foliage
No Winter Bronzing
Slower Maintenance-Free Growth
Natural Pyramidal Form & Easy Care!
Privacy & Screening, Containers & Planters, Specimen & Year-Round Greenery

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Arborvitae (Thuja) tolerate partial sun but really do their best in the full sun. Provide a moderate moisture location with excellent drainage and keep the lower branching clean with a 3-4 inch bed of arborist mulch. Mulch also holds in moisture and insulates the root system for a happier plant! Be sure to provide your evergreen trees and shrubs with adequate and extra moisture throughout the fall before winter to prevent browning and wind-burn from the cold, dry northern winds.

Pruning is not needed, but if you do need to nip off an errant wild hair, pruning and shearing are best done in the very early spring before you see new growth. Arborvitae looks best with their foliage and limbs sweeping the ground, so avoid pruning these off for the best effect.

Full Sun & Some Part Shade
Moderate Moisture Needs
Appreciates Mulch & Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Little to No Pruning Needed
Pest & Deer Resistant Unless Desperate

Leprechaun Arborvitae is one lucky little number that will add vivid green to your landscape all growing season and beyond! Hurry and order enough of this fantastic new variety for your home without sacrificing space! Now available at NatureHills.com!

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the growth rate of Leprechaun™ Arborvitae?

Leprechaun™ Arborvitae has a slower growth rate, typically reaching 7-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide at maturity. This compact growth habit means almost zero pruning is required and it won't outgrow its designated space. Plant it in zones 5-8 for low-maintenance screening that stays manageable year after year.

Is Leprechaun™ Arborvitae deer resistant?

Leprechaun™ Arborvitae offers moderate deer resistance due to its aromatic evergreen foliage that deer typically avoid. While not completely deer-proof, this compact cultivar (7-10' tall) is less appealing to browsing wildlife than many other shrubs. For best results in deer-heavy areas, consider pairing with other deer-resistant plants available at naturehills.com.

What are the sunlight requirements for Leprechaun™ Arborvitae?

Leprechaun™ Arborvitae thrives in full sun to partial shade conditions. Like most arborvitae, it performs best with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and color retention. In zones 5-8, morning sun with some afternoon protection works well in hotter climates.

How much water does Leprechaun™ Arborvitae need, especially when establishing?

Leprechaun Arborvitae needs consistent moisture during its first growing season to establish properly. Water deeply 1-2 times per week, providing about 1 inch total weekly through fall. Once established, this low-maintenance cultivar becomes quite drought tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering.

Does Leprechaun™ Arborvitae require pruning or fertilizer?

Leprechaun™ Arborvitae requires almost zero pruning due to its slow growth rate and compact form. This low-maintenance evergreen rarely needs fertilizer in average soils. Simply plant and enjoy its natural columnar shape - available at naturehills.com.

Can Leprechaun™ Arborvitae be grown in containers or on slopes?

Yes, Leprechaun Arborvitae thrives in containers and handles slopes well. Its compact 4-6 foot spread and slower growth rate make it ideal for container growing on patios and balconies in zones 5-8. For slopes, plant multiple specimens as living retaining walls to prevent erosion while creating privacy screening.

Is Leprechaun™ Arborvitae evergreen year-round, and what color is its foliage in winter?

Yes, Leprechaun™ Arborvitae maintains its deep green color year-round without the bronzing that affects other arborvitae varieties in winter. This evergreen holds its shamrock-green foliage through zones 5-8 winters. Plant it where you want reliable color during the dormant season.

How long does it take for shipped Leprechaun™ Arborvitae plants to arrive, and what is your warranty or guarantee?

Leprechaun™ Arborvitae typically ships within 7-10 business days and arrives ready to plant in zones 5-8. Most nurseries offer a 1-year guarantee on healthy arrival and establishment. Plant immediately upon arrival and water deeply to ensure your new evergreen gets established before winter.