Thuja plicata ‘4-ever Goldy’ Care Guide

Thuja plicata ‘4-ever Goldy’ — also known as Western Red Cedar ‘4-ever Goldy’ — is a compact, upright evergreen conifer prized for its vibrant golden foliage that holds colour all year. Its dense, naturally columnar shape makes it ideal for hedging, screening, or as a striking stand-alone feature in modern and traditional gardens alike. Hardy and easy to grow, this slow-to-moderate grower offers bright structure with very little maintenance.

Planting & Position

Planting in the right place helps your Thuja thrive and keep its beautiful golden colour.

• Light requirements:

  • Best in full sun to light partial shade — strong sunlight keeps foliage a bright golden-yellow.

  • Tolerates some shade but colour may deepen to chartreuse/green.

• Soil:

  • Prefers fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

  • Adapts to loam, sandy, or clay soils if not waterlogged.

  • pH neutral to slightly acidic is ideal.

• Planting time:

  • Plant in spring or autumn when soil is warm and moist.

  • Water pots well before planting and dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball.

• Spacing:

  • For a hedge or screen, space 60–80 cm apart.

  • As individual features, allow 1–1.2 m between plants.

• Container planting:

  • Can be grown in large pots (40 cm+ wide) using a loam-based compost (e.g., John Innes No. 3) mixed with grit for drainage.

Care & Maintenance

Once established, Thuja plicata ‘4-ever Goldy’ is tough, long-lived, and very low-maintenance.

• Watering:

  • Keep soil moist during the first year to encourage deep rooting.

  • Mature plants are drought-tolerant but appreciate deep watering in prolonged dry spells.

  • Potted specimens need more frequent watering in summer.

• Feeding:

  • Apply a slow-release balanced fertiliser in spring.

  • Container plants benefit from monthly liquid feed during the growing season.

• Pruning & shaping:

  • Naturally columnar and dense; needs only one light trim per year (late spring or summer) to maintain shape or hedge lines.

  • Avoid cutting into old bare wood, as regrowth can be slow.

• Mulching:

  • Add a layer of bark, compost, or leaf mould around the base in spring to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

• Pests & diseases:

  • Generally trouble-free; may very occasionally suffer aphids or scale insects.

  • Avoid waterlogging to reduce root-rot risk.

• Hardiness:

  • Fully hardy in the UK and Ireland, tolerating frost, wind, and coastal exposure.

Design Uses & Seasonal Interest

‘4-ever Goldy’ brings bright colour and structure to gardens year-round.

• Hedges & screens:

  • Excellent for narrow evergreen hedges or privacy screens that stay colourful all year.

• Specimen planting:

  • Use singly or in pairs to frame entrances, patios, or pathways.

  • Works beautifully as a bold statement in mixed borders.

• Containers:

  • Striking in large pots for patios or doorways; underplant with seasonal bedding for extra impact.

• All-season appeal:

  • Golden foliage holds colour even in winter, unlike some conifers that bronze or dull.

  • Dense habit gives instant structure when other plants die back.

• Low maintenance:

  • Ideal for busy gardeners wanting a formal look with minimal care.

• Wildlife value:

  • Dense branches provide shelter for birds year-round.

In summary: Thuja plicata ‘4-ever Goldy’ is a hardy, bright-gold evergreen conifer perfect for hedges, screens, or standout features. Plant in sunny, well-drained soil, water regularly while young, feed in spring, and give one light trim a year to keep its columnar shape. Tough, reliable, and brilliantly colourful, it’s an easy way to bring structure and year-round interest to any garden.

• Size
  40-50 CM C3

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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