A Compact Narrow Pyramidal Arborvitae for Minnesota Hedges

Holmstrup Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis 'Holmstrup') is a Danish-bred narrow pyramidal arborvitae that hits the sweet spot for Twin Cities yards: tall enough to screen at 10–15 feet, narrow enough at 3–4 feet to fit tight property lines, and slow enough to hold its shape for decades without shearing. Reliable to -40°F, deep green color year-round. The traditional choice for Minneapolis foundation rows, St. Paul side-yard screens, and Edina formal gardens.

Holmstrup Arborvitae Plant Details

Holmstrup Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Narrow Property-Line Privacy Hedge

At 3–4 feet wide mature, Holmstrup fits tight side yards where standard 'Techny' (10–12 ft wide) won't. Space 30–36 inches apart for a closed hedge in 6–8 years. The slow growth rate keeps the hedge proportional and easy to maintain.

Foundation and Entry Accent

Pairs of Holmstrup flanking a front entry create classic architectural symmetry without overwhelming the facade. Deep green color reads well against red brick, white siding, or stone. Plant 6 feet from foundations to allow for mature width and snow shedding.

Best Time to Plant Holmstrup Arborvitae in Minnesota

Fall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Holmstrup 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 Holmstrup Arborvitae

1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Spacing — 30–36 inches apart for closed hedge; 5–6 feet for individual specimens.
5. 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.
6. 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 Holmstrup 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 Holmstrup 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 Holmstrup 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 Holmstrup survive a Minnesota winter?

Yes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F). No protection needed for established plants in the Twin Cities metro.

How is Holmstrup different from DeGroot's Spire?

Both are narrow 10–20 ft cultivars. Holmstrup has straight conventional foliage; DeGroot's Spire has distinctive twisted spirals. Holmstrup is the choice for plain dense privacy; DeGroot's Spire for sculptural ornament.

Will deer eat it?

Yes, in winter. Protect first-year plants with snow fence or netting, especially in Minnetonka, Wayzata, Eden Prairie, and Chanhassen.

How fast does it grow?

Slow — 6–10 inches per year in Minnesota. A 5-gallon plant (~3 ft tall at purchase) reaches mature 10–15 ft in 12–18 years.

You May Also Like

• DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae — Similar narrow form with distinctive spiral texture — pair for visual variety in mixed evergreen rows.
• Boxwood 'Green Velvet' — Low globe form (3–4 ft) anchors the base of Holmstrup hedges.
• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — Dwarf 3–4 ft companion in matching evergreen color.
• Karl Foerster Grass — Vertical accent that complements Holmstrup's narrow pyramidal form.

How Many Holmstrup Arborvitae Do I Need?

For a closed privacy hedge, space Holmstrup about 3 feet apart (the body's 30–36 inch spacing) — it knits into a solid green wall in 6–8 years:

For individual specimens or a matched entry pair, allow 5–6 feet between plants and keep them 6 feet off the foundation for mature width and roof-snow shedding.

Holmstrup Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Fresh, bright-green growth tips the dense pyramid; no shearing needed — the narrow form is genetic, not maintained.
• Summer: A crisp, deep-green spire just 3–4 feet wide — privacy that fits side yards where wider arborvitae simply don't.
• Fall: Holds its rich green while deciduous neighbors drop; one deep watering before freeze-up protects the needles through winter.
• Winter: Deep green at -40°F with no burlap required for established plants — the hedge line stays solid through all six leafless months.

At a Glance

✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest

Plant It With

• DeGroot's Spire Arborvitae — the body's own pairing: same narrow silhouette with twisted, sculptural foliage for variety in a mixed evergreen row.
• Green Velvet Boxwood — low 3–4 ft globes to anchor the base of the hedge, straight from the body's pairing list.
• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — the dwarf globe in matching green for the front of the same bed.
• Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — airy vertical plumes that soften Holmstrup's formal spire.

Is Holmstrup Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?

Say yes if you need real 10–15 foot privacy in a tight side yard or along a narrow property line — in full sun to light part shade and ordinary Twin Cities clay, it delivers a dense, no-shear evergreen wall that's hardy to -40°F. It's not a fit if you need fast screening (6–10 inches a year means patience or bigger starting stock), and in heavy-deer suburbs plan on netting young plants their first couple of winters.