Arborvitaes are quite uncommon here. Korean arborvitae, Thuja koraiensis, is one of the more uncommon among them. It is therefore uncommonly uncommon, or even rare. Not many examples are observable within local landscapes. Yet, some compact cultivars are becoming more available from nurseries. It will likely become more popular in the future.

Korean arborvitae is a large evergreen shrub or small tree. In the wild, it grows as tall as thirty feet, and half as broad. ‘Glauca’ has bluish foliage and grows only about fifteen feet tall, and ten feet wide. ‘Glauca Prostrata’ gets only three feet tall, and about six feet wide. Flat foliar sprays with clasping scale leaves resemble those of more familiar arborvitaes.

Also like more familiar arborvitaes, Korean arborvitae appreciates regular watering. It is resilient to brief lapses of irrigation once established, though. It tolerates partial shade as well. Although it prefers sandy loam, Korean arborvitae adapts to most soil types. Soil of inferior quality is rarely a problem. Spider mites can possibly infest during warm weather.