Are these two different forms of arborvitae? - Ask Extension
Hello.
In the spring, I purchased Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae shrubs to place in a row. One died so I returned to the same nursery to purchase anot...
Knowledgebase
Are these two different forms of arborvitae? #914048
Asked August 14, 2025, 3:33 PM EDT
Hello.
In the spring, I purchased Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae shrubs to place in a row. One died so I returned to the same nursery to purchase another. I bought what was tagged Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae, but I don't believe it is actually Mr. Bowling Ball. I believe it is a different form of arborvitae called Pancake. If that is true, it will look silly in the row with the other shrubs. I sent my photos and question to the nursery and they said the shrub I bought is Mr. Bowling Ball and it looks different because it was grown at a different nursery and is a younger plant. A local nursery told me the shrubs were two different shrubs and recommended I contact you for verification. I'd appreciate your knowledgeable opinion. I'll be attaching photos showing the different branches and the different shrubs. Thank you!
Harford County Maryland
Expert Response
Some cultivars of Arborvitae (and several other needled evergreens too) can have different foliage textures and appearances as they mature, with juvenile foliage looking quite different than mature foliage. That said, it's hard to say if the pictured plants are the same variety or not. It's common for retail nurseries to order from a dozen or more wholesale suppliers (nursery growers) for their tree/shrub department alone. Different nursery growers might have accidentally mistagged a shipment to the retailer, and to be fair to them, the wholesale supplier's own order of starter plants, which often comes from yet another wholesaler that specializes in propagating the plants, might have had a mistagged group.
Differing growing conditions and pruning practices from one supplier to another could also influence (to a point) the foliage color, density, and overall shape of the plant, though leaf texture (like how prickly or scaly the foliage looks/feels) would generally be less impacted by growing conditions. Major wholesale nursery states that ship to garden centers throughout our area include Oregon (especially for conifers), Connecticut, and New Jersey, and most will grow several cultivars of the same species, especially among dwarf varieties since they're quite popular for staying compact.
To my eyes (I used to work at a garden center for many years), the two shrubs pictured do look like different cultivars, but I'd be hard-pressed to say which is which without being able to compare them to verified specimens of either cultivar. That said, looking over various image examples of 'Mr. Bowling Ball', there does appear to be a difference in foliage appearance as the plant ages. I can't find examples of more mature 'Pancake' arborvitae as a comparison. Unfortunately, the only way to know with more certainty would be to let the younger/smaller plant mature more and see how they compare. If the nursery you bought them from has a one-year guarantee, you might be able to tell them apart this winter: if they turn different colors as the foliage blushes in cold temperatures, that suggests that they're not the same cultivar.
Miri
Differing growing conditions and pruning practices from one supplier to another could also influence (to a point) the foliage color, density, and overall shape of the plant, though leaf texture (like how prickly or scaly the foliage looks/feels) would generally be less impacted by growing conditions. Major wholesale nursery states that ship to garden centers throughout our area include Oregon (especially for conifers), Connecticut, and New Jersey, and most will grow several cultivars of the same species, especially among dwarf varieties since they're quite popular for staying compact.
To my eyes (I used to work at a garden center for many years), the two shrubs pictured do look like different cultivars, but I'd be hard-pressed to say which is which without being able to compare them to verified specimens of either cultivar. That said, looking over various image examples of 'Mr. Bowling Ball', there does appear to be a difference in foliage appearance as the plant ages. I can't find examples of more mature 'Pancake' arborvitae as a comparison. Unfortunately, the only way to know with more certainty would be to let the younger/smaller plant mature more and see how they compare. If the nursery you bought them from has a one-year guarantee, you might be able to tell them apart this winter: if they turn different colors as the foliage blushes in cold temperatures, that suggests that they're not the same cultivar.
Miri
Thank you for your thorough response, Miri! I appreciate the information and feedback. I will keep the shrub and wait to see how it changes during the cold months and how it matures.
Rebecca
You're welcome!
