Franky Boy oriental arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis ‘Franky Boy’ [syn Thuja orientalis]) is a dwarf evergreen conifer currently in hot demand among collectors. What immediately catches your eye is its thread-like foliage which changes color from one season to the next. Its evergreen foliage adds a fine textured look to the landscape.

The new spring growth is fountain-like, e.g. it bubbles out from a central growing point and weeps downward. In the spring and summer threaded foliage is chartreuse colored. In the fall and winter it morphs again, first with a bronze tint or later to copper orange. By early spring the light green color has returned.

Over a 10 year span, expect Franky Boy to grow 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 3 ½ feet wide. Oriental arborvitae is safely winter hardy to USDA hardiness zone 6 and may be borderline in zone 5-b if protected from wintry winds, heavy snow, and ice storms. Pruning, while rarely necessary, can create a tight, more compact shrub.

Franky Boy thrives in full to partial sunlight. A moist, compost rich, well-drained soil is ideal. It becomes heat and drought tolerant after a 2-year establishment period. Plant Franky Boy in a large patio/deck sized container or utilize it as an accent or textural shrub as a portion of the foundation planting.