{"product_id":"yellow-ribbon-arborvitae","title":"Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae","description":"\u003ch1\u003eA Narrow Golden-Yellow Arborvitae for Minnesota Color Accents\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eYellow Ribbon Arborvitae (\u003cem\u003eThuja occidentalis\u003c\/em\u003e 'Yellow Ribbon') combines bright golden-yellow foliage with a narrow upright habit — mature 8–10 ft tall by just 3–4 ft wide. Reliable to -40°F. Stunning vertical color accent for foundation corners, entry plantings, and narrow side-yard placements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYellow Ribbon 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 'Yellow Ribbon'\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Names\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow Ribbon 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) for brightest gold color\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 — bright golden-yellow needles, bronze-tinted in 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 native to Minnesota; 'Yellow Ribbon' is a narrow golden cultivar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n    \u003c\/table\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eYellow Ribbon Arborvitae Uses in Minnesota Landscapes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003ch3\u003eVertical Color Accents\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYellow Ribbon's narrow 3–4 ft width and bright gold color make it perfect for foundation corners, entry bookends, and tight color punches against dark green companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNarrow Side Yards\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen width matters most, Yellow Ribbon delivers vertical evergreen color in just 3–4 feet of bed space. Plant 3 feet apart for a slim golden hedge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003ch2\u003eBest Time to Plant Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eFall — late August through mid-September — is the ideal planting window for evergreens like Yellow Ribbon 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 Yellow Ribbon 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 narrow gold hedge; 4–5 feet for accent placements.\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 Yellow Ribbon 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 Yellow Ribbon 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 Yellow Ribbon 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 Yellow Ribbon survive a Minnesota winter?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — rated to USDA zone 3 (-40°F). Color shifts toward bronze-gold in winter and returns to bright yellow in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from Sunkist Arborvitae?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth are golden arborvitaes. Sunkist is wider (4–5 ft) with a fuller pyramidal form; Yellow Ribbon is narrower (3–4 ft) and more strictly upright. Use Yellow Ribbon when bed width is tight.\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\u003eDoes it really stay golden?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn full sun, yes — bright golden-yellow all summer. In shade the gold dulls toward green. Plant in 6+ hours of direct sun for best color.\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 — Dark green dwarf globe contrasts with Yellow Ribbon's gold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e'Montgomery' Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/strong\u003e — Blue dwarf form for tri-color foundation compositions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarl Foerster Grass\u003c\/strong\u003e — Golden seed heads echo Yellow Ribbon's color in late summer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/strong\u003e — Lime-green blooms complement Yellow Ribbon's golden foliage\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- tt-enriched --\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow Many Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Do I Need?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor a slim golden hedge, space Yellow Ribbon 3 feet on center:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHedge Length\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePlants Needed (3 ft spacing)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40 feet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e13–14 plants\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an accent, use one at a foundation corner or a matched pair bookending an entry, spaced 4–5 feet from walls so the column fills out evenly. Gold reads strongest in odd-numbered groups against dark green backdrops.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eYellow Ribbon Arborvitae Season-by-Season in Minnesota\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring:\u003c\/strong\u003e New growth flushes brilliant golden-yellow in May — the brightest the plant looks all year, like a lit candle at the foundation corner.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Holds clean bright gold through the heat in full sun, adding 8–12 tidy inches with no shearing needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFall:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold deepens toward amber as nights cool, harmonizing with the fall colors around it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Foliage bronzes to a warm old-gold — normal for golden arborvitae, not damage — and stands out warmly against snow; bright yellow returns with spring growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e✔ Minnesota Native   ✔ Shade-Tolerant   ✔ 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 — dark green dwarf globes at the base make the gold pop harder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/montgomery-colorado-blue-spruce\"\u003eMontgomery Colorado Blue Spruce\u003c\/a\u003e — a steel-blue dwarf for a classic gold-blue-green tri-color composition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/karl-foerster-feather-reed-grass\"\u003eKarl Foerster Feather Reed Grass\u003c\/a\u003e — wheat-gold seed heads that echo the foliage color from midsummer on.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/limelight-hydrangea\"\u003eLimelight Hydrangea\u003c\/a\u003e — lime-green summer blooms that blend the gold into the rest of the bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Yellow Ribbon Arborvitae Right for Your Yard?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose it if you want year-round color — not just green — in a tight vertical footprint: a sunny foundation corner, entry, or narrow side yard gets a hardy native-species evergreen in glowing gold. It's not a fit for shady spots or unprotected high-deer areas: the gold fades to green without 6+ hours of sun, and young arborvitae are a winter deer buffet, so net the first year or two in browse country.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Three Timbers Minnesota","offers":[{"title":"#5 Gallon","offer_id":54104505975089,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#6 Gallon","offer_id":54104506007857,"sku":null,"price":86.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#10 Gallon","offer_id":54104506040625,"sku":null,"price":137.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"#15 Gallon","offer_id":54104506073393,"sku":null,"price":164.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5' BB","offer_id":54104506106161,"sku":null,"price":288.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6' BB","offer_id":54104506138929,"sku":null,"price":329.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0986\/0694\/0465\/files\/img_29_yellow-ribbon-arborvitae.jpg?v=1778046999","url":"https:\/\/threetimbersmn.com\/products\/yellow-ribbon-arborvitae","provider":"Three Timbers Minnesota","version":"1.0","type":"link"}