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Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae ~ Thuja occidentalis ‘Bobozam’ G3

Attributes

Tolerates Clay
Urban Tolerant

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae is a dwarf, naturally rounded evergreen with fine, lacy foliage that keeps its tidy shape with virtually no pruning. Its soft, cloud-like form and year-round texture make it a perfect choice for foundation plantings, borders, rock gardens, and containers. Cold hardy and low maintenance, it offers a refined, sculpted look in the landscape without the work of constant shearing.

Mr. Bowling Ball® Arborvitae ~ Thuja occidentalis 'Bobozam' G3

Hardiness Zone

3-7

Exposure

Part Shade
Sun

Width

2-3'

Height

2-3'

Width

2-3'

Habit

Rounded

Soil

Average
Moist

Care & Growing Guide

Dwarf Evergreens

Overview

Evergreen shrubs are woody plants that hold foliage through the year, making them some of the most useful structural plants in residential landscapes. Buyers usually turn to this category for privacy, winter presence, foundation planting, hedging, and low seasonal maintenance, but long-term satisfaction depends on choosing the right mature size and the right site.

Light

Many evergreen shrubs prefer full sun to partial shade. Shade-tolerant selections exist, but dense growth and best foliage color often depend on adequate light.

Water

New shrubs need deep watering during establishment. Once mature, many are more stable, but drought and dry winter conditions can still stress foliage.

Soil

Well-drained soil is important. Evergreen shrubs are often slower to show stress than annuals, so poor drainage can cause decline before buyers realize the site is wrong.

Pruning

Prune to shape only as much as needed. Formal hedges can take regular clipping, but many broadleaf evergreens and coniferous shrubs look best with selective pruning instead of repeated shearing.

Why buyers choose evergreen shrubs

  • Year-round foliage
  • Privacy and screening
  • Foundation structure around homes
  • Winter interest when deciduous plants are bare
  • Consistent shape and visual weight in mixed borders

What buyers should evaluate before purchase

  • Mature height and spread, not just current pot size
  • Sun or shade tolerance
  • Drainage and winter wetness
  • Whether the shrub is naturally dense or needs pruning to stay formal
  • Cold exposure and drying wind

An evergreen shrub that outgrows its space often becomes a pruning problem. A smaller cultivar chosen correctly is usually better than a fast-growing shrub forced into repeated hard clipping.

Mistakes / Problems

  • Winter burn
  • Oversizing due to underestimating mature spread
  • Dense clipping that leaves bare interiors
  • Planting in chronically wet or compacted soil

FAQ

Are evergreen shrubs always low maintenance?

They are often lower maintenance than seasonal annual displays, but they still need correct siting, occasional pruning, and establishment watering.

Can I use them for privacy in a small yard?

Yes, but compact cultivars and realistic spacing are essential. Crowding a large screening shrub into a narrow bed usually leads to long-term problems.