{"product_id":"rushmore-arborvitae","title":"Rushmore Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Compact Pyramidal Arborvitae for Minnesota Foundation Plantings\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eRushmore Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Rushmore') is a dense pyramidal arborvitae topping out at 8–10 feet, with deep green color and reliable zone 3 hardiness. Perfect for foundation plantings, low privacy screens, and accent rows in Twin Cities yards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eRushmore 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 'Rushmore'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRushmore Arborvitae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8–10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Rate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate — 8–12 inches per year\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun (6+ hours)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate.\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 — dense scaled needles, deep green winter color\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.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Status\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies native to Minnesota; 'Rushmore' is a cultivated narrow form\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eRushmore Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eFoundation Plantings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 8–10 ft mature, Rushmore is right-sized for foundation beds and low privacy screens without overwhelming smaller Twin Cities yards. Space 3 feet apart for a closed hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixed Evergreen Beds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair Rushmore with Boxwood 'Green Velvet' and Hetz Midget Arborvitae for layered foundation compositions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Rushmore Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Rushmore 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 Rushmore 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 — 3 feet apart for closed hedge; 5 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 Rushmore 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 Rushmore 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 Rushmore 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 Rushmore 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\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 to moderate — 8–12 inches per year. A 5-gallon plant reaches mature 8–10 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 — Dwarf companion in matching evergreen color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBoxwood 'Green Velvet'\u003c\/strong\u003e — Low globe form anchors Rushmore foundation rows.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Vertical accent contrasting Rushmore's pyramidal form.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lime-green summer blooms against Rushmore's dark green backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Rushmore Arborvitae Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a closed low privacy hedge, space Rushmore 3 feet apart (center to center):\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun Length\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlants Needed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e16\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor individual foundation accents, allow 5 feet between plants; a matched pair flanking a front door, set just clear of the eaves, is a classic look at this 3–4 foot width.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eRushmore Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh bright-green growth tips the dense pyramid as the plant adds its 8–12 inches for the year.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e A crisp, deep-green pyramid that needs no shearing to hold its shape — a tidy backdrop for blooming shrubs and perennials.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage holds deep green while deciduous neighbors drop, and the hedge starts earning its keep as a windbreak.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliable deep-green winter color with less bronzing than many arborvitae — living structure and snow-catching evergreen texture at the foundation.\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 — a dwarf globe in matching green to step the planting down in front.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/green-velvet-boxwood\"\u003eGreen Velvet Boxwood\u003c\/a\u003e — low rounded broadleaf evergreen that anchors the base of a Rushmore row.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — upright wheat-colored plumes for soft contrast against the dark pyramid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — big lime-green summer blooms that glow against the evergreen backdrop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Rushmore Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRushmore thrives in full sun in ordinary Minnesota soil, including clay-loam, and its 8–10 foot finished height is the sweet spot for foundation corners and low screens that won't swallow the house. As a native white-cedar selection it's bulletproof to -40°F. It's not a fit if deer pressure is heavy and you won't net it in winter — deer browse arborvitae — or if you need a fast 15-foot privacy wall, where a larger, quicker arborvitae serves better.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54114210382129,"sku":null,"price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54114210414897,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#20 Gallon","offer_id":54114210447665,"sku":null,"price":192.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' BB","offer_id":54114210480433,"sku":null,"price":315.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"7' BB","offer_id":54114210513201,"sku":null,"price":342.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8' BB","offer_id":54114210545969,"sku":null,"price":397.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_19_rushmore-arborvitae.jpg?v=1778046975","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/rushmore-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}