A Compact Pyramidal Arborvitae for Minnesota Foundation Plantings

Rushmore Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis '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.

Rushmore Arborvitae Plant Details

Rushmore Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes

Foundation Plantings

At 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.

Mixed Evergreen Beds

Pair Rushmore with Boxwood 'Green Velvet' and Hetz Midget Arborvitae for layered foundation compositions.

Best Time to Plant Rushmore Arborvitae in Minnesota

Fall — 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.

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 Rushmore 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 — 3 feet apart for closed hedge; 5 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 Rushmore 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 Rushmore 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 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.

Will Rushmore survive a Minnesota winter?

Yes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F).

Will deer eat it?

Yes, in winter. Protect first-year plants with snow fence or netting.

How fast does it grow?

Slow to moderate — 8–12 inches per year. A 5-gallon plant reaches mature 8–10 ft in 8–12 years.

You May Also Like

• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — Dwarf companion in matching evergreen color.
• Boxwood 'Green Velvet' — Low globe form anchors Rushmore foundation rows.
• Karl Foerster Grass — Vertical accent contrasting Rushmore's pyramidal form.
• Limelight Hydrangea — Lime-green summer blooms against Rushmore's dark green backdrop.

How Many Rushmore Arborvitae Do I Need?

For a closed low privacy hedge, space Rushmore 3 feet apart (center to center):

For 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.

Rushmore Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota

• Spring: Fresh bright-green growth tips the dense pyramid as the plant adds its 8–12 inches for the year.
• Summer: A crisp, deep-green pyramid that needs no shearing to hold its shape — a tidy backdrop for blooming shrubs and perennials.
• Fall: Foliage holds deep green while deciduous neighbors drop, and the hedge starts earning its keep as a windbreak.
• Winter: Reliable deep-green winter color with less bronzing than many arborvitae — living structure and snow-catching evergreen texture at the foundation.

At a Glance

✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Four-Season Interest

Plant It With

• Hetz Midget Arborvitae — a dwarf globe in matching green to step the planting down in front.
• Green Velvet Boxwood — low rounded broadleaf evergreen that anchors the base of a Rushmore row.
• Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass — upright wheat-colored plumes for soft contrast against the dark pyramid.
• Limelight Hydrangea — big lime-green summer blooms that glow against the evergreen backdrop.

Is Rushmore Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?

Rushmore 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.