evergreen garden

Thuja Smaragd – why it dries out so often and whether it’s still a good hedge choice

There was a time when it felt like half of Bulgaria was planting Thuja Smaragd.

New houses, fences, residential complexes, gardens — everywhere you looked there were rows of identical bright green thujas. And honestly, at first I completely understood why people loved them so much.

They looked:

• clean;
• organized;
• compact;
• and instantly “finished”.

But over time I started noticing something else. A huge number of these hedges began looking terrible only a few years later.

Brown patches. Drying branches. Bare interiors. Entire rows of dead plants.

And I think it’s important to say this honestly — the problem is not always the plant itself. Very often it’s the expectations people have and the way the plants are used.

Thuja Smaragd is not an immortal plant. It was simply sold that way for years.

What exactly is Thuja Smaragd

Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ is an evergreen ornamental conifer known for its narrow shape and bright green color.

It became incredibly popular because:

• it grows evenly;
• doesn’t take too much space;
• looks tidy even when young;
• and creates a very formal hedge.

In photos it looks almost perfect. And I think that’s exactly where the problem begins.

A perfect-looking young hedge can create the illusion that the plant will stay beautiful on its own. But Thuja Smaragd is still a living conifer with roots, stress, pests, and limits. It is not a green plastic panel installed along the fence.

Why so many thujas start drying out

The reason is almost never just one thing.

Usually it’s a combination of:

• poor soil;
• lack of deep watering;
• extreme heat;
• plants being spaced too closely;
• poor airflow;
• and constant stress on the hedge.

Many people plant thujas almost touching each other because they want an instant dense green wall.

But then competition begins:

• for water;
• for nutrients;
• for light;
• and for airflow.

That’s usually when the inside of the hedge slowly starts dying.

The frustrating part is that the decline often begins quietly. The outside still looks acceptable, while the interior is already becoming dry, shaded, and weak.

The biggest mistake – treating it like a plastic fence

This may sound harsh, but it’s true.

Thujas are often sold as a “plant it and forget it” solution. The reality is very different.

Especially now that summers in Bulgaria have become much hotter and drier.

Thuja Smaragd has a relatively shallow root system. That means it suffers much faster from:

• drought;
• hot winds;
• overheated soil;
• and inconsistent watering.

The problem is that most people realize this only after the plants start turning brown.

Most thujas don’t suddenly die. They spend months showing signs of stress first.

One of the most useful habits is not watering “a little bit every now and then,” but checking whether moisture actually reaches the root zone. The surface may look damp while the deeper soil is already dry, especially in hot weather.

Why Thuja Smaragd is not suitable for every soil type

This is something people rarely talk about enough.

Many gardens in Bulgaria have:

• heavy clay soil;
• poor drainage;
• compacted ground;
• or extremely dry terrain.

And thuja often reacts badly to both extremes.

In wet heavy soil:

• roots begin to suffer;
• fungal problems appear;
• and plants weaken slowly over time.

In overly dry soil:

• they burn easily;
• brown from the inside;
• and lose their density.

That’s why I think Thuja Smaragd only works well when conditions truly suit it.

If the soil is heavy, it needs improvement before planting. If the site is dry and exposed, mulch and reliable irrigation are not optional extras. They are the difference between a green hedge and a row of expensive brown regrets.

And what about spider mites?

This is another huge issue.

Especially during hot and dry weather, thujas often become heavily affected by mites. And many people don’t even realize what’s happening.

They simply notice:

• yellowing;
• brown sections;
• dry interiors;
• and gradual thinning.

But the real problem usually started much earlier.

And when an entire hedge is planted too densely, the issue spreads very quickly.

This is another reason why I do not like overcrowded thuja hedges. Poor airflow, heat, stress, and pests are a very unpleasant team.

Does Thuja Smaragd feel outdated today?

I think it depends entirely on how it’s used.

There are gardens where it still looks beautiful. Especially when:

• plants are not overcrowded;
• they have enough airflow;
• they are mixed with other plants;
• and the hedge doesn’t look overly artificial.

But honestly, in many cases it has started feeling too mass-produced and predictable.

Especially when you see:

• endless identical rows;
• no movement;
• no texture variation;
• and no natural softness.

At that point the garden starts feeling closed off instead of inviting.

The most beautiful gardens rarely look copied from one another.

Is it still worth planting?

In some cases — yes. But I would no longer recommend it automatically to everyone.

Thuja Smaragd can still work well if:

• the soil is suitable;
• there is proper irrigation;
• the climate is not too harsh;
• and the plants are maintained correctly.

But if the garden is:

• very dry;
• extremely sunny;
• windy;
• or poorly maintained,

there is a very high chance the hedge will begin struggling after a few years.

I would also avoid planting it just because everyone else has done it. A hedge should solve the needs of your garden, not repeat the habits of the whole neighborhood.

What I would choose instead of a massive wall of thujas

Today I personally prefer gardens that combine multiple types of plants.

For example:

• Cherry Laurel;
• Leyland Cypress;
• ornamental grasses;
• Photinia;
• looser green structures;
• and more breathing space between plants.

That approach makes a garden feel far more alive and natural.

Instead of one endless green wall, you get layers, contrast, movement, and a garden that changes through the seasons. It also reduces the risk of one disease, pest, or heat wave ruining the entire structure at once.

My honest conclusion about Thuja Smaragd

I don’t think it’s a bad plant.

I think it was planted everywhere for years without enough thought about whether the conditions actually suited it.

And that’s exactly why today we see so many:

• drying thujas;
• brown hedges;
• tired-looking gardens;
• and homeowners constantly trying to “save” their plants.

To me, a truly beautiful garden is not the one that looks perfect during the first year.

It’s the one that still looks beautiful after ten.

Thuja Smaragd can be part of such a garden, but only when it is planted with enough space, watered properly, protected from stress, and used with intention — not as a quick copy-paste hedge.

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