{"product_id":"mr-bowling-ball-arborvitae","title":"Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Soft, Round Dwarf Globe for Easy Evergreen Structure\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Bobozam') is a naturally rounded dwarf that needs no pruning to keep its tidy ball shape. Fine, feathery sage-green foliage takes on a soft bronze cast in winter. At just 2-3 feet tall and wide, it is a dependable, low-care choice for foundations, edging, and small Twin Cities gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMr. Bowling Ball 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 'Bobozam'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2-3 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow - 2-4 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to part shade (4+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate; water deeply through the first two seasons.\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\u003eAdaptable; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvergreen - fine, feathery sage-green foliage, soft bronze in winter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWinter Hardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReliable to -40F.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow - deer browse arborvitae; protect with fencing or repellent the first 2-3 winters.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies native to Minnesota; 'Bobozam' is a cultivated dwarf globe selection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFoundation Edging and Front-of-Border Structure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt a tiny 2 to 3 feet tall and wide, Mr. Bowling Ball is one of the smallest evergreens you can plant, holding a soft round shape that never crowds a window or walkway. Repeat several along the front of a foundation bed or as a low evergreen edge, and its fine, feathery sage-green texture provides a gentle contrast to coarser shrubs and perennials in Edina, Plymouth, and Woodbury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSmall Gardens, Rock Gardens, and Containers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts dwarf size makes Mr. Bowling Ball ideal for the tight beds of townhomes and small lots, rock gardens, and mixed entry containers where a full-size arborvitae would never fit. Tuck single globes among perennials for year-round structure, or group three for a soft cushion of evergreen in Maple Grove or St. Paul. In a container, give it extra winter protection since potted roots aren't insulated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSoft Texture and Four-Season Form\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fine, almost thread-like foliage sets Mr. Bowling Ball apart from stiffer globe evergreens — it reads soft and informal, softening hard edges and stone. The sage-green summer color shifts to a soft bronze in winter and greens back up in spring, giving subtle seasonal interest while the round form holds all year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an evergreen, Mr. Bowling Ball establishes best when planted in \u003cstrong\u003elate August through mid-September\u003c\/strong\u003e. The soil is still warm enough to drive root growth, while cooler air eases transplant stress and gives the plant six to eight weeks to settle in before the ground freezes around mid-November. \u003cstrong\u003eSpring (late April through May)\u003c\/strong\u003e is the solid second choice, leaving a full season to root before the first winter. Avoid the heat of midsummer, and never plant after mid-October — evergreens set out too late are prone to winter desiccation before their roots can support them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to Plant Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDig wide, not deep.\u003c\/strong\u003e Make the hole 2 to 3 times the width of the root ball but no deeper — the top of the root ball should sit slightly above grade. In heavy clay, go even wider.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMind the moisture.\u003c\/strong\u003e Arborvitae like consistent moisture, so a spot that doesn't bake dry is ideal — but avoid standing water; if drainage is poor, mound-plant a few inches high.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBackfill with amended soil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mix your native soil with 20 to 30 percent compost to hold moisture and loosen heavy clay; this species rewards a richer backfill than junipers do.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpace for the use.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set plants about 2 to 3 feet apart for a low edge or mass planting, or use single globes as accents.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuild a water basin.\u003c\/strong\u003e Form a 3 to 4 inch soil ring around the base to channel water to the roots. Flatten it before winter so ice doesn't collect against the trunk.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulch with bark.\u003c\/strong\u003e Spread 2 to 3 inches of shredded bark or wood chips, kept 2 inches off the trunk, to lock in the moisture arborvitae crave. Skip gravel mulch — it bakes roots and gives no winter insulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWatering Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFirst Year Watering Schedule\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeeks 1–2: Deep soak every 1 to 2 days (15–25 minutes at a slow trickle).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 1–2: Every 2 to 3 days — arborvitae need more consistent moisture than junipers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonth 3–6: Every 4 to 6 days during active growth; don't let the root zone dry out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStop watering 2 to 3 weeks before the ground freezes (late October in the metro) — then give one last deep soak in early December, especially if fall was dry, to limit winter burn.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAfter Year One\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater deeply through the first two seasons while the plant establishes. After that, Mr. Bowling Ball needs supplemental water mainly during dry spells — a deep soak every 7 to 10 days when there's been two-plus weeks without rain. It is less drought-tolerant than juniper or spruce, so don't let it bake, and always finish with that early-December deep watering before freeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it's hardy to roughly -40°F (USDA zone 3), so cold is no concern. Expect the sage-green foliage to take on a soft bronze cast over winter; that's normal for this variety and it greens back up in spring. A deep December watering and, for newly planted globes in exposed spots, a light burlap screen the first winter help limit any browning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it deer-resistant?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — arborvitae are a favorite winter browse for Minnesota deer, including Mr. Bowling Ball, especially in high-pressure western suburbs like Minnetonka, Wayzata, and Chanhassen. Its small 2-to-3-foot size makes protection easy, though: a quick burlap or netting wrap, or a rotated repellent, gets it through winter. Plan on protecting it the first 2 to 3 winters if deer visit your yard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow big does it get, and does it need pruning?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt stays remarkably small — around 2 to 3 feet tall and wide — and grows very slowly at just 2 to 4 inches a year, holding its round shape on its own. No shearing is needed; an occasional light trim keeps it tidy if you want a crisper ball.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYou May Also Like\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanet Earth Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a slightly larger green globe that resists winter bronzing for steadier color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGolden Globe Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a rounded globe with bright golden-yellow foliage for a pop of color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Moon Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a compact selection with seasonal color shifts for mixed beds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLemon Burst Arborvitae\u003c\/strong\u003e — a small gold-tipped globe that brightens shadier corners.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#1 Gallon","offer_id":54281659089201,"sku":"GT-E3433.5","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#2 Gallon","offer_id":54281659121969,"sku":"GT-E3434","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54281659154737,"sku":"GT-E3435.5","price":48.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/mr-bowling-ball-arborvitae.jpg?v=1779469308","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/mr-bowling-ball-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}