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Thujopsis dolabrata 'Variegata' (variegated Japanese false arborvitae)
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Coniferous Trees

Thujopsis dolabrata 'Variegata'

variegated Japanese false arborvitae

Cupressaceae
Cultivar of horticultural origin; species native to Japan at 980-6,600 feet (300-2,000 m)

Learn more

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageEvergreen
Height10-20 feet (3-6 m)
Width6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m)
Maturity20 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

5 - 8
Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Deer Resistant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Thujopsis dolabrata 'Variegata' is variegated hiba (variegated Japanese false arborvitae), an upright pyramidal evergreen coniferous tree growing 10-20 feet (3-6 m) tall and 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m) wide. Dark glossy green coarse scale-like foliage with irregular cream-white variegated patches in flat fan-shaped sprays; bold white butterfly-shaped stomatal markings on the underside. In Cupressaceae. Variegata = variegated. Smaller than the species (20-50 feet / 6-15 m) due to reduced chlorophyll. Variegation is irregular and inconsistent — branches occasionally revert to all-green and should be removed to preserve the variegation. Same cultural requirements as the species: REQUIRES HIGH MOISTURE, deep shade tolerance, acidic soil, limited heat tolerance. The high water requirement is the primary limitation. Slow growth rate. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-8. Part shade to full shade. Growth rate is slow.

Native Range

Cultivar of horticultural origin. Species native to Japan (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) at 980-6,600 feet (300-2,000 m).

Suggested Uses

Grown as a variegated specimen in shaded woodland gardens with consistent moisture, spaced 6-12 feet (1.8-3.7 m). Cream-white irregular variegation. Reverts occasionally — remove green branches. Not drought-tolerant. Non-toxic. Not suitable for containers. Zones 5-8.

How to Identify

Identified by irregularly cream-white and dark glossy green variegated coarse-textured scale-like foliage with bold white butterfly-shaped markings on the underside. Distinguished from the all-green species by the cream-white variegation. The variegation is irregular and inconsistent. In Cupressaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 20'
Width/Spread6' - 12'

Reaches mature size in approximately 20 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

green
cream

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Not applicable — conifer. Monoecious. Small dark red-brown male strobili in March-April, rarely produces cones.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

Dark glossy green with irregular cream-white patches in the upper surface, scale-like in flat fan-shaped sprays; bold white butterfly-shaped stomatal markings on the underside (same as the species); the variegation pattern is irregular and inconsistent — some shoots are entirely cream-white, others nearly all green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Partial ShadeFull Shade
Requires 2-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)
357912
Soil Types
loamsand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

High

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

15-30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Part shade to full shade (2-6 hours). Well-drained acidic soil pH 5.0-6.5. REQUIRES HIGH MOISTURE — not drought-tolerant. Limited heat tolerance. Remove all-green reverting branches to preserve variegation. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 5-8.

Pruning

Remove any all-green reverting branches as they appear to preserve the variegation. Otherwise no regular pruning needed. Do not cut into bare wood — does not regenerate from leafless stems.

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic