Western Red Cedar ‘Zebrina’ 60/80cm (3L)

Thuja plicata ‘Zebrina’, also known as the Variegated Western Red Cedar, is a stunning evergreen that can bring year-round interest to your garden. This eye-catching tree stands out with its unique foliage – flat sprays of scale-like leaves that are a mix of green and golden yellow, creating a striking zebra-like pattern. It’s a medium to fast-growing tree that can reach impressive heights, making it perfect for gardeners who want to create a bold, architectural feature in their outdoor space.

‘Zebrina’ typically grows to about 15-20 metres tall over time, with a spread of 4-6 metres. Its columnar shape means it can work well in medium to large gardens, where it can serve as a magnificent focal point or a stunning privacy screen. The variegated foliage provides year-round interest, looking particularly striking in winter when other plants have lost their leaves.

One of the best things about this tree is how it can add a sense of height and drama to your garden. Its tall, slender form makes it a natural eye-catcher, drawing the gaze upwards and adding vertical interest to your garden design. The golden variegation brightens up shady areas and seems to glow in the sunlight, adding a bit of cheer even on cloudy days.

Gardeners often choose ‘Zebrina’ for its ornamental value and relatively low-maintenance nature. Once established, it’s quite tolerant of different soil types and can cope with urban pollution, making it a good choice for town gardens. It’s also resistant to most pests and diseases, so you won’t need to worry about constant care.

This cedar works well in various garden settings. It can serve as a striking specimen tree, create an impressive hedge or screen, or act as a backdrop to other plantings. You could use it to frame an entrance or to add structure to a large border.

For gardeners looking to add year-round structure and a touch of golden elegance to their gardens, Thuja plicata ‘Zebrina’ is an excellent option. Its attractive foliage, impressive form, and easy-care nature make it a valuable addition to any outdoor space, especially for those who want to make a big impact.

Caring for Thuja plicata ‘Zebrina’ is quite straightforward. Plant it in a spot that gets full sun to partial shade – full sun will help maintain the best foliage colour. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but can adapt to various soil types. Water regularly when it’s first planted to help it establish. Once settled, it’s fairly drought-tolerant but will appreciate deep watering during prolonged dry spells. You don’t need to feed it often – a light application of balanced fertiliser in spring is enough. Pruning isn’t necessary to maintain its shape, but you can trim it if you want to control its size or shape it into a hedge. Keep an eye out for any signs of browning or dieback, which could indicate stress or disease. ‘Zebrina’ is hardy in most parts of Britain but may appreciate some shelter from strong winds in very exposed sites.

Ultimate height
Higher than 12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
4–8 metres