April Shrub of the Month-Brown Wonder Arborvitae
Once in a while, a plant takes the industry by storm. We’ve had our fun with Knock Out roses, the Endless summer hydrangeas, the Wave petunias…This spring, gardeners are getting anxious for the next new plant celebrity, and you might have seen it already-the Brown Wonder Arborvitae!
Unlike the overused Green Giant arborvitaes or other screening favorites like boxwood or holly, Brown Wonder, Thuja semperfuscus ‘Mortuus’ isn’t high-maintenance; in fact, it’s NO-maintenance!
But wait, there’s more, this amazingly adaptable shrub will take on all the extremes any climate zone can dish out: drought, flooding, 100+ temps, or below-freezing conditions. (Even on the same day like in STL!) Brown Wonder tolerates full sun to full shade like a champ. In fact, the only thing it won’t tolerate is high winds.
In STL, Brown Wonder comes in sizes usually ranging from 2’ to 10’, but NEVER gets too big or wide. Best used as a specimen plant, it can be used as a screen or paired with green cultivars for a nice contrast in the landscape that all the neighbors will be talking about!
Deer and rabbits tend to leave Brown Wonder alone. Fungus, pests, and rot can and will eventually strike, so make sure to keep it in place long enough to enjoy these ailments.
Brown Wonder is so popular that most people just can’t buy one-they are seen often in groupings or hedges.
A not-so-common “no-no” I’ve seen with Brown Wonder is homeowners who feel the need to spray the foliage, not with insecticide to prevent pests, but with spray paint. (most commonly green) One might WONDER why they just didn’t buy (and water!) one of the many green cultivars available in the trade in the first place!
What I love about this plant;
-Extremely low-maintenance plant.
-GREAT winter interest. Color stays true year-round,
-Adaptable to any situation, sun or shade, wet or dry, clay, boggy, or rocky soils.
-Beautiful upright, pyramidal shape.
-Never grows too big or too wide.
-Good for screening or specimen plant.
-Excellent crispy texture in the garden.
-Great companion plant for any other tree, shrub, or perennial.
-Deer and rabbit resistant.
-No messy fruits that litter or stain your pavement and car!
-Great for wildlife, providing homes for insects and fungus.
What’s not so great;
-Common and overused.
-Will eventually succumb to fungus, pests, and/or rot.
-Heavy snow or ice can damage the fragile foliage in winter.
-Susceptible to high wind damage.
-HIGHLY flammable.
-Comments or questions? Email Garden-Lou at gardenloustl@gmail.com
Words and photos by Jo Batzer
© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com-2026, All rights to pull April Fool’s Day pranks reserved.
