Submitted by Andrew Pulte

A "woody" chameleon, Thuja orientalis 'Morgan' is known for its exceptional ability to change foliage color. As winter approaches, this conifer changes from an emerald/lime green color to a beautiful deep purple. Well before spring it falls into a breathtaking copper color. Then, as temperatures warm, Morgan returns to its summer green.

This ability to display different foliage colors is not unique in the conifer world. However, Morgan has one of the most distinctive and dramatic color changes of any conifer. The beautifully layered flat sprays of foliage seem to shine when they hit their peak copper color.

Discovered by John Emery in Australia around 1989, Morgan is quickly becoming a favorite plant among dwarf conifer enthusiasts. Morgan has been proven hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 – 8 and can handle being in the full sun. It is now becoming more commercially available.

Morgan will grow between two inches and four inches per year, reaching around three feet at maturity depending on growing conditions. Like many dwarf conifers, this plant is fairly slow growing, which makes it perfect for smaller spaces in your garden.

Conifers are a great choice for those looking to add four-season interest to their garden, and Morgan is no exception.

Be sure to visit the UT Gardens to see Thuja orientalis 'Morgan' in the recently planted conifer collection. The Gardens are proud to help host the annual conference of the American Conifer Society this upcoming summer. For more information on the American Conifer Society visit www.conifersociety.org.

Andrew Pulte is a graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. He works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens. The UT Gardens are located on Neyland Drive in Knoxville. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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