Arborvitae ‘Highlights’

Arborvitae ‘Highlights’
A golden glow for your garden, rooted in Southern hospitality

At Wrights Market, we’ve always believed the garden is where memories are made—whether it's shelling peas on the porch or planting a tree with your grandbabies. The ‘Highlights’ Arborvitae fits right into that story, offering a golden glow that brightens the garden year-round, just like a front porch light welcoming you home.

This luminous evergreen shrub is a golden selection of Thuja occidentalis, also known as American Arborvitae—a species native to the northern U.S. and parts of Canada. ‘Highlights’ was chosen for its brilliant chartreuse-yellow foliage, which stays vivid even in winter, bringing sunshine to your landscape even when the skies turn gray.

Where it grows best:
‘Highlights’ thrives in USDA zones 4–8, making it a reliable choice across much of the South. It loves full sun and well-drained soil, and it stands up well to heat and humidity with just a little help in the form of mulch and consistent watering during dry spells. Reaching about 6–8 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide, it’s a beautiful, upright shrub perfect for hedges, accent plantings, or cottage garden backdrops.

What it means:
Arborvitae, or “tree of life,” is often seen as a symbol of eternal life, strength, and sanctuary. In a Southern landscape, ‘Highlights’ becomes a beacon—a sign of hope, home, and warmth in every season.

Bloom time:
Though it doesn’t bloom like a flower, the foliage is the star, shifting slightly in tone with the seasons and creating visual interest that lasts all year. It’s especially lovely in winter, when its golden tones pop against deeper greens or soft grays.

Care instructions:

• Sunlight: Full sun is best for vibrant color, though it will tolerate some light shade.

• Soil: Moist but well-drained soil; avoid soggy spots.

• Water: Regular watering until established; drought-tolerant once mature.

• Pruning: Minimal; shape lightly in early spring if needed.

Low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and evergreen, ‘Highlights’ is as dependable as your favorite casserole recipe—always just right.

Pairs beautifully with:
Set off its golden hues with the deep purples of Loropetalum, the silver-blue tones of Blue Star Juniper, or the soft whites and blush pinks of hydrangeas. It also looks charming beside boxwoods, ferns, or underplanted with hellebores for year-round texture.