Ninebark vs Emerald Cedar - TreeTime.ca

Ninebark vs Emerald Cedar

Physocarpus opulifolius

Thuja occidentalis Smaragd

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Ninebark
Emerald Cedar

Ninebark is a small, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or colour to any yard.

It features flaky, cinnamon-brown bark, attractive white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves.

Emerald Cedar makes a great addition to landscapes, and is often used to form tight hedges or privacy screens. The thick scale-like foliage adds texture and colour to yards and is commonly used to line driveways. Unlike other cedars it retains its green colour throughout the fall and winter.

It is a semi dwarf species, which generally needs little pruning, but if desired it responds well to trimming. Its attractive, columnar shape and dense foliage makes it a desired landscape feature.

The Emerald Cedar won the award of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Ninebark Quick Facts

Emerald Cedar Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: slow
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Flowers: small white clusters
Berries: small pink to purple berry like follicles
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB
Other Names: smaragd arborvitae, thuja occidentalis emeraude