Intro

Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ is a classic within the conifer assortment and a stable cornerstone product for many nurseries. Its narrow, dense growth and long-lasting fresh green colour make this variety a key choice for hedges and linear plantings.

Crop advantages
‘Smaragd’ has an upright, conical growth habit with dense, finely scaled foliage. It grows reasonably fast, yet remains more compact and shapely than many other thujas, resulting in lower losses due to off-types.
For growers, it is a predictable conifer with a clear annual height increment. The variety is suitable for open-field production as well as container production in various pot sizes. Planting, lifting and loading can be highly mechanised, keeping production costs per plant under control.

Application
In practice, ‘Smaragd’ is mainly used as a hedge plant, boundary planting and structural element in private and public green spaces. It remains green throughout winter, with minimal browning, and maintains its dense structure.
For landscapers, it is a safe choice wherever a compact, green hedge with limited pruning requirements is needed. ‘Smaragd’ can also be used as a solitary specimen or in groups to add vertical structure in the garden.

Consumer value
For end consumers, ‘Smaragd’ is attractive because it quickly forms a dense hedge and requires relatively little maintenance. One or two pruning sessions per year are usually sufficient to keep the hedge tidy.
The plant is hardy, wind-tolerant and suitable for a wide range of soil types. This makes it a low-risk product: consumers typically get exactly what they expect – a permanent, dense green hedge.

Export potential
Thuja ‘Smaragd’ has a broad market across Europe, with strong demand in Germany, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. It can be shipped in many sizes, from young plants to large, pre-formed hedge elements.
For exporters, the combination of volume, recognisability and stable demand is very attractive. For many buyers, ‘Smaragd’ is a standard line in their assortment, enabling long-term planning and contract growing.

Why choose Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’?
Growers choose ‘Smaragd’ for its predictable production, broad applicability and stable market position. Trade and export benefit from a product with year-round demand and a clear shelf position. Landscapers and consumers rely on it as a robust, evergreen backbone in the garden. All in all, ‘Smaragd’ remains a logical core variety in any professional conifer nursery.