Thuja Occidentalis Tater Tot Arborvitae #3

Do you need a plant that adds structure and year-round green to your garden without the space for a massive hedge?

The 'Tater Tot' is basically a miniature, naturally round version of the giant arborvitaes you see everywhere. It grows into a perfect little green mound all on its own. It’s ideal for people who want the "English Garden" look of manicured boxwoods but don't want to actually do the manicuring. It’s neat, it’s tidy, and it’s genuinely adorable.

In the Piedmont, we often struggle with foundation plants growing too big and blocking the windows (we’ve all seen those houses in King where the bushes are eating the porch). 'Tater Tot' solves that. It respects your view. It’s also very cold-hardy, so it won’t fold in our winter frosts. Just like other arborvitaes here, it appreciates a little extra water during those dry spells in August, especially if you plant it in a container.

Why We Recommend It:

• No Trimmers: This plant wakes up round and goes to sleep round. You don't need to shape it. It naturally maintains a tight, dense globe shape, saving you hours of work over the years.

• Year-Round Interest: When the perennials die back in November, your garden can look a little flat. 'Tater Tot' provides a constant, refreshing green anchor that keeps your beds looking intentional and "dressed" even in the dead of winter.

• The "Goldilocks" Size It’s not too big, not too small. It’s just right for lining a walkway or sitting in a decorative pot by the front door. It gives you that formal look without taking up the whole yard.

Best Used For:

• Container gardening (looks classy in a pair of urns).

• Low hedges along a path.

• Rock gardens.

• Accents in a perennial border (to provide contrast).

The Specs:

• Growth Rate: Slow.

• Mature Size: Compact! 1–2 ft. tall and wide.

• Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade.

• Soil: Moist, well-drained soil (mulch it well to keep moisture in).

Ready to plant some tots? Read more about Thuja varieties at the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come visit us at Mitchell's.