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    • Photo of Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy' foliage by Conifer Kingdom

    Photo by Conifer Kingdom

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

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    Buy Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy'

    Also Known As

    • Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy'
    • Franky Boy Golden Thread Leaf Chinese Arborvitae

    Plant type

    shrub, conifer

    size

    • H: 6'-8'
    • W: 3'-5'

    planting zones

    • 5a-10a

    3 1/2 inch pot | $16

    Ships USPS, based on weight/location

    Fewer than 9 at Secret Garden Growers

    #7, 18-24" | $214.99

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    Fewer than 20 at Conifer Kingdom

    More Options

    Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy' plant details

    Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy' is a moderate-growing, slow-growing evergreen conifer shrub with bronze and gold foliage. Flowers are not showy, but nurture a healthy ecosystem as wildlife habitat. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - occasional water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, humidity tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy'

    Plant type: conifer shrub
    Plant family: cupressaceae
    Foliage: evergreen bronze and gold
    Mature size: 3 FT - 5 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
    Uses: border plant, container plant, dwarf, winter interest, year round interest

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy'

    USDA Zones: 5a - 10a
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular - occasional
    Resistant to: heat, humidity and verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

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    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    (AKA PLATYCLADUS) Fine, golden, threadlike foliage forms a teardrop shaped, slow growing, evergreen shrub 3-4’ high & 2-3’ wide in 10 years. Takes on a beautiful orange bronze tint for winter. It is recommended that one third of previous year’s growth be sheared annually to maintain a tight n tidy appearance. Well-drained soil, sun (part shade in hot summer areas), appreciates regular water. Container specimen, garden jewel.

    By: Secret Garden Growers

    A phenomenal new introduction with stringy light green and golden foliage that brightens to orange-butterscotch in the winter. New growth cascades over old, creating a fountain of foliage strings. Makes a fantastic small shrub which can be aggressively pr

    By: Conifer Kingdom

    Franky Boy' looks more like an evergreen clump of grass than an actual conifer with its long, branchless stems that emerge from the base. Despite how thin and long the branches are, this plant maintains an upright habit with a tall, narrow form. During the growing season the plant takes on a light lemon-yellow hue before turning back to light green in the middle of summer.

    By: Red Panda Nursery

    Dwarf, upright, broad conifer with golden, thread-like foliage throughout the spring and summer. Colder temperatures change the foliage to an attractive bronze-orange color, warming up the winter garden. Growth Rate slow

    By: Garden World

    A dwarf Arborvitae with a broad upright form. Pretty foliage is thread-like and golden. Wonderful in winter when 'Franky Boy' turns to bronze-orange.

    By: Maplestone Ornamentals

    Thuja orientalis 'Franky Boy' - A golden, thread-leaf variety of Chinese Arborvitae. Plant makes an upright tear drop type of plant. All leaves are golden and just a strand. Very nice plant grafted on a standard. Grows 4-6 inches a year. Should be pruned for better shape and tightness.

    By: Kigi Nursery

    Gardening facts about Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy' plant

    How to Grow Platycladus orientalis 'Franky Boy'

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular - occasional

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant
      • humidity tolerant
      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • bronze
      • gold

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Platycladus for your garden

    Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan'

    aka Thuja orientalis 'Morgan', Morgan Chinese Arborvitae, Morgan Oriental Arborvitae

    Plant Type

    Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-9b

    Size

    Height: 3'

    Width: 2'

    • sun - shade
    • regular - occasional
    Photo of Platycladus orientalis 'Morgan' form by Fantastic Plants
    View Plant

    Platycladus orientalis 'Aurea Nana'

    aka Thuja orientalis 'Aurea Nana', Thuja orientalis 'Berkmans Golden', Aurea Nana Oriental Arborvitae, Berkmans Golden Arborvitae, Dwarf Golden Oriental Arborvitae

    Plant Type

    Tree, Shrub, Conifer

    Zones

    5a-11

    Size

    Height: 5'-6'

    Width: 3'-4'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    Photo of Platycladus orientalis 'Aurea Nana' form by Fantastic Plants
    View Plant

    More Options

    +12 more Platycladus
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