Thuja occidentalis 'Congabe' FIRE CHIEF™

When around 1900 an arborvitae variety Rheingold with its fiery orange autumn and winter colour was discovered, it became a sensation which everyone wanted. Almost exactly one hundred years later one of those plants produced a mutation with distinctly different coloration. This happened in Denton, Md, USA, and its discoverer Gabriel Cesarini removed and propagated the branch to see what happens. It turned out a beautiful shrub with improved habit and superior color, and was patented as PP19009 as ‘Congabe’. Now all thuja lovers want this one.

FIRE CHIEF™ is a trade name for this compact, little arborvitae. In spring its fine foliage and new branches emerge bright chartreuse and mature to sage green with coppery red tips. In autumn and winter they turn bright golden yellow and amber orange. Plants grow rather slowly into rounded, dense shrubs which can be trimmed or shaped in any way from spring till midsummer. This variety is less prone to splitting under heavy snow.

Arborvitae is soil tolerant but dislikes boggy locations and long-standing water, as well as long-lasting drought. Just keep the soil moist after planting by mulching, and you will get a fantastic plant. Hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3) and suitable for outdoor pots, too.

Last update 11-11-2020