A Golden-Foliage Arborvitae for Minnesota Color Accent Sunkist Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist') stands out from green arborvitaes with bright golden-yellow foliage that holds color through summer and bronze tones in winter. Reliable to -40°F. The choice when you want color contrast in foundation beds and entry plantings. Sunkist Arborvitae Plant Details Attribute Detail Scientific Name Thuja occidentalis 'Sunkist' Common Names Sunkist Arborvitae Mature Height 8–10 feet Mature Width 4–5 feet Growth Rate Slow to moderate — 8–12 inches per year Sun Full sun (6+ hours) for brightest gold color Water Moderate. USDA Zones 3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) Soil Tolerates Minnesota clay-loam. Foliage Evergreen — bright golden-yellow needles, bronze-tinted in winter Winter Hardiness Reliable to -40°F. Deer Resistance Protect first 1–2 years. Native Status Species native to Minnesota; 'Sunkist' is a golden cultivar Sunkist Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes Color Accent in Foundation Beds Sunkist's golden foliage creates instant color contrast against dark green companions like Hetz Midget Arborvitae and Boxwood 'Green Velvet'. Use as a single focal point or paired bookends at entries. Mixed Conifer Compositions Pair Sunkist with Colorado Blue Spruce cultivars and 'Techny' Arborvitae for a three-color evergreen composition (gold + blue + green) that holds visual interest year-round. Best Time to Plant Sunkist Arborvitae in Minnesota Fall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Sunkist Arborvitae. Soil is still warm enough for root development, cool air reduces transplant shock, and the plant gets 6–8 weeks to establish roots before the typical mid-November ground freeze in the Twin Cities. The earlier window matters specifically for evergreens because they continue losing moisture through their needles all winter, so root establishment before freeze is critical. Spring (late April through May, after ground thaw) is the second-best window — you get a full growing season ahead. Avoid summer planting (June–August) when possible; if you must, water heavily and mulch deeply. Never plant after mid-October or before late April, when frozen ground or frost-heaving will kill new roots. How to Plant Sunkist Arborvitae Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x). Check for clay hardpan — if water pools in the hole, break through the clay layer or mound-plant 2–3 inches above grade to improve drainage. Backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost. Don't fill the hole with pure compost — it creates a "container" effect that traps water around the roots. Spacing — 4–5 feet apart for foundation row; 6 feet for individual specimens. Build a 3–4 inch water basin around the plant to direct water to the roots. Flatten or remove the basin in late October to prevent ice damage over winter. Mulch with 2–3 inches of shredded bark or wood chip mulch, kept 2 inches away from the trunk. Do NOT use gravel mulch — it doesn't insulate roots in Minnesota winters. Watering Sunkist Arborvitae in Minnesota First Year Watering Schedule Weeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes) Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days Month 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches/month June–August) Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in Twin Cities metro). Continued late-fall watering can push tender new growth that gets killed by winter. One deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation. After Year One Established Sunkist Arborvitae rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F). Soak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest. Drip Irrigation in Minnesota Drip works well for Sunkist Arborvitae if your beds already have a system. Place emitters 12–18 inches from the trunk. Always blow out lines and shut off the timer by early October — frozen drip lines split. Will Sunkist survive a Minnesota winter? Yes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F). Color shifts toward bronze-gold in winter, returning to bright yellow in spring. Will deer eat it? Yes, in winter. Protect first-year plants with snow fence or netting. How fast does it grow? Slow to moderate — 8–12 inches per year. A 5-gallon plant reaches mature 8–10 ft in 8–12 years. Does it really stay golden? In full sun, yes — bright golden-yellow all summer. In shade the gold dulls toward green. Plant in 6+ hours of direct sun for best color. You May Also Like Hetz Midget Arborvitae — Dark green dwarf globe contrasts with Sunkist's gold. 'Montgomery' Colorado Blue Spruce — Blue dwarf form for tri-color foundation compositions. Karl Foerster Grass — Golden seed heads echo Sunkist's color in late summer. Limelight Hydrangea — Lime-green blooms complement Sunkist's golden foliage. How Many Sunkist Arborvitae Do I Need? Sunkist matures to 4–5 feet wide, so space plants about 4 feet apart for a solid golden screen or hedge. Hedge Run Plants Needed (4 ft spacing) 10 ft 3 20 ft 6 30 ft 8 40 ft 11 As a color accent, use a single focal specimen or matched pairs flanking an entry, spaced about 6 feet from neighboring plants. Sunkist Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota Spring: Bright golden-yellow new growth flushes at the tips. Summer: Holds vivid golden-yellow foliage in full sun, glowing against dark green and blue conifers. Fall: Color carries into the cooler months as growth hardens off. Winter: Stays evergreen, taking on warm bronze-gold tones and holding the screen and structure year-round. At a Glance ✔ Minnesota Native ✔ Evergreen ✔ Four-Season Interest Plant It With Hetz Midget Arborvitae — a dark green dwarf globe that contrasts with Sunkist's gold. Montgomery Colorado Blue Spruce — a blue dwarf form for tri-color foundation compositions. Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — golden seed heads that echo Sunkist's color in late summer. Limelight Hydrangea — lime-green blooms that complement the golden foliage. Is Sunkist Arborvitae Right for Your Yard? Sunkist is at its best in full sun and average to clay-loam soil, where it delivers bright golden color and an evergreen screen reliable to -40°F — perfect as a foundation accent, entry marker, or color contrast among green and blue conifers. It's not the best fit for deep shade, where the gold dulls toward green, and young plants need winter deer protection (snow fence or netting) for the first year or two.
