Sugar and Spice Arborvitae

Thuja plicata 'De Rakt'

$128⁷⁹ $139⁹⁹

In Stock
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Plant Size

#5 Container

Product variants

Plant Sentry™

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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

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

Sugar and Spice Arborvitae highlights at a glance!

Specifications

Brand

Plants That Work
Botanical Name

Thuja plicata 'De Rakt'
Growing Zones

5-8
Mature Height

7 - 10 feet
Mature Spread

1 - 4 feet
Sun Exposure

Full Sun
Moisture

Moderate
Soil

Well-Drained
Growth Rate

Medium
Fall Color

Evergreen
Bloom Period

Late Spring

Growing Zones 5-8

Find Your Growing Zone!

Contrasts are cool! They are eye-catching, vibrant, and never boring! Think of zebra stripes, soft-drink logos, and Warhol paintings. Things that play off of each other often play well together, too!

The Sugar and Spice Arborvitae PP#19926 (Thuja plicata 'De Rakt') is a study in contrasts! The foliage is finely textured for an almost feathery, fluffy look in a dreamy creamy green! The stems are cinnamon-brown and rough textured and we couldn't imagine them any other way!

Sugar and Spice Arborvitaes keeps its great conical shape on its own and you won't need to worry about it losing its color. It is a hardy evergreen that won't disappoint you Growing throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 8, and grows 7 - 10 feet in height and just 1 - 4 feet wide.

Landscape Application:

Sugar and Spice is a perfect shrub for smaller urban gardens where a full-sized Thuja would crowd everything else out. They look great singly as specimen plants or in groups as a hedge. Bulk up a windbreak or mixed shrub border, or create your own privacy planting that looks great on both sides of the fence line.

Try them in a large mixed planting container or flanking a doorway or gate. They can be viewed from a distance or right up close and are fascinating either way. Sugar and Spice Arborvitae will add depth and architectural beauty to your garden with very little care.

Fluffy Bright Green Feathery Soft Foliage
Aromatic Foliage
Conical Natural Shape
Creamy Green Foliage Over Cinnamon Brown Bark
Great In Planters & Small Yards
Specimens, Hedges, Privacy, Windbreaks & Bird-Friendly Habitat

#ProPlantTips for Care:

This easy-to-care-for evergreen prefers full to partial sun exposure in a well-drained soil site. Provide regular moisture throughout the first year in the ground but once established, they become drought resistant. Top-dress with a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch around the root zone but not piled up against the trunk. You won't need to prune it for it to keep its natural shape but light pruning can be performed to shape your shrub or remove winter dieback.

Boldly Goes Where Other Thuja Fail
Full Sun
Well-Drained Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs - Low Once Established
Prune After Flush Of Spring Growth
Not High On Deer Nibble Lists

Order your bright and fluffy Sugar and Spice Arborvitae and see for yourself! Nature Hills will ship yours directly to your doorstep if you hurry and order now!

Healthy trees

Ordered 3 of the sugar and spice arbs. Very pretty. They arrived in very good condition. I planted them soon after arrival and they are doing very well. I have ordered other plants (all healthy) from Nature Hill and I am very satisfied with this Company.

Hi Pia,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience with the sugar and spice arbs and your other orders from Nature Hills. We’re delighted to hear that your trees arrived in excellent condition and are thriving in your garden! It’s always our goal to provide healthy plants and exceptional service, so your satisfaction truly means a lot to us.

If you ever have any questions about care, planting advice, or want recommendations for your next garden project, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to assist you in nurturing your growing garden.

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

Healthy and growing

Bought 4 Sugar and Spice Arbs. from 3 to 4 months ago in the Spring. Planted right away, watered about 2 times per week and so far mid to late August they are doing great and actually growing (!?), despite a very hot summer in Virginia, Zone 7a.

Hi Tyee,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful update! We’re thrilled to hear that your Sugar and Spice arborvitae are thriving and growing steadily, especially with Virginia’s hot summer challenges in Zone 7a. Your dedication to watering twice a week sounds like a perfect routine — Arborvitae does best with consistent moisture without being soaked.

If the heat persists, adding a layer of mulch around the base can help retain soil moisture and keep roots cool, promoting even more healthy growth as you head into cooler months. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of stress, but it sounds like you’re doing a fantastic job.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you'd like personalized tips as your trees continue to grow. We’re cheering for you and your garden!