{"product_id":"little-giant-arborvitae","title":"Little Giant Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Globe Arborvitae for Minnesota Foundation Beds\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eLittle Giant Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Giant') is a dense rounded globe arborvitae that tops out around 4–6 feet tall and wide. Reliable to -40°F. Perfect for foundation beds, low borders, and entry accents in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Edina yards where a full-size arborvitae would be too much.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eLittle Giant Arborvitae Plant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ctable\u003e\n    \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Little Giant'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLittle Giant Arborvitae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow — 4–6 inches per year in Minnesota\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate. Established plants tolerate average rainfall.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen — soft scaled needles, deep green color holds through winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40°F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProtect first 1–2 years — deer browse young arborvitae heavily in winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e) is native to Minnesota; 'Little Giant' is a cultivated dwarf form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eLittle Giant Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFoundation Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 4–6 ft mature, Little Giant tucks under second-story windows and frames entries without overwhelming the facade. Space 4 feet apart for a continuous low border.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed Evergreen Bed Anchor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair Little Giant with Hetz Midget Arborvitae and 'Montgomery' Blue Spruce for a layered dwarf evergreen bed that holds visual interest year-round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Little Giant Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Little Giant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eSpring (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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Little Giant Arborvitae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003col\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth. In heavy clay, dig even wider (3–4x).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eCheck 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBackfill 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSpacing — 4 feet apart for closed low border; 5–6 feet for individual specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eBuild 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMulch 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ol\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eWatering Little Giant Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Every 1–2 days, deep and slow (15–25 minutes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 3–4 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 5–7 days during active growth; less if rainfall is adequate (Minnesota averages roughly 3 inches\/month June–August)\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eStop 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eOne deep watering in early December is a good idea for evergreens if fall has been dry — it helps the plant resist winter desiccation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eEstablished Little Giant Arborvitae rarely needs supplemental water. Water deeply during droughts (2+ weeks of no rain combined with temps above 80°F).\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSoak to 6–8 inches depth, every 7–14 days during dry spells. Let natural rainfall do the rest.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eDrip Irrigation in Minnesota\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eDrip works well for Little Giant 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill Little Giant survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is Little Giant different from Hetz Midget?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are dwarf 4–6 ft globe arborvitaes. Little Giant is denser and slightly taller; Hetz Midget is the classic original with similar form. Either works in the same situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill deer eat it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, in winter. Protect first-year plants with snow fence or netting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlow — 4–6 inches per year. A 7-gallon plant reaches mature 4–6 ft in 8–12 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — Similar dwarf globe form — pair for variety in foundation beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoxwood 'Green Velvet'\u003c\/strong\u003e — Low globe (3–4 ft) anchors the front of Little Giant rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Montgomery' Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Dwarf blue spruce that contrasts with Little Giant's green color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent that complements Little Giant's rounded form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Little Giant Arborvitae Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a continuous low border or foundation row, space Little Giant 4 feet apart (the body's own spacing for a closed row at its 4–6 foot mature width):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRun Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (4 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor individual specimens or an entry pair, allow a 5–6 foot circle each. Remember it adds only 4–6 inches a year — plan on 8–12 years for a #7 plant to reach full size, or buy bigger stock for faster impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLittle Giant Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh bright-green tips flush over the globe in May; no pruning needed — the dense rounded form is genetic, not sheared.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A tidy, deep-green sphere of soft scaled foliage that anchors foundation beds while perennials come and go around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds its green as deciduous shrubs drop; a good moment for a deep December watering if fall ran dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep green color holds through five months of snow — wrap or net young plants, since hungry deer browse arborvitae hard in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant It With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/hetz-midget-arborvitae\"\u003eHetz Midget Arborvitae\u003c\/a\u003e — the classic dwarf globe in the same size class; mix the two for subtle variety.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/green-velvet-boxwood\"\u003eGreen Velvet Boxwood\u003c\/a\u003e — a lower 3–4 ft globe that fronts a Little Giant row neatly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/montgomery-colorado-blue-spruce\"\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — dwarf silver-blue contrast for Little Giant's deep green.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — a vertical wand that plays off the rounded globes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Little Giant Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLittle Giant fits full-sun to part-shade foundation beds and low borders in ordinary Twin Cities clay-loam, needing only moderate water and a 5–6 foot pocket at maturity — a native-species dwarf that never outgrows the window line. It's not a fit for unprotected high-deer-pressure yards (winter browse can disfigure young plants without netting) or for anyone needing fast results, since it grows just 4–6 inches a year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54114243281201,"sku":null,"price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54114243313969,"sku":null,"price":48.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#7 Gallon","offer_id":54114243346737,"sku":null,"price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_15_little-giant-arborvitae.jpg?v=1778046963","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/little-giant-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}