Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae

Everyone loves those perfect round balls of green in the garden or in planters, but boy, do they take a lot of careful and regular clipping to develop and keep in perfect shape. At least they used to. Not anymore, because if you love round, but hate clipping, meet Mr. Bowling Ball™, the roundest and neatest evergreen you can imagine, who does it naturally, with no clipping required. Yes, literally as round as a bowling ball, this spherical shrub has soft, ferny foliage, and it always looks perfect for that neat, neat look.

Grow a pair in two pots to frame an entrance or use four to emphasis the corners of a terrace. Plant some among small shrubs or other evergreens of different shapes and forms to add a unique touch. Plant a row for a novel low hedge that needs no clipping, but always looks perfect. Whatever way you choose to use this versatile and remarkable plant, you are going to love having Mr. Bowling Ball™ in your garden – and your children will love him too.

Growing Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae Shrubs

Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae, to give him his full name, is a dense evergreen shrub, with fine, ferny foliage, which grows completely naturally into a round green ball, remaining as wide as it is tall for its entire life. It has foliage to the ground, and it sits as a perfect green ball in your garden, or in a planter. It grows steadily larger and larger, keeping its round shape all the time. In about 10 years it will be around 3 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter, and it will add an inch or two every year that it lives. Older plants can be trimmed, if you wish, to keep them small, and to give you the densest possible structure. Pests and diseases are normally never a problem, and with no clipping needed, this has got to be the easiest plant on the planet for making a neat round evergreen ball in your garden.

Hardiness and Planting Location

Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae is very hardy, living happily even in zone 3, where temperatures can fall to minus 40 degrees on a winter’s night. It also grows happily in warmer zones, thriving all the way into zone 8. In cooler states it will grow best in full sun, but in warmer areas morning sun and afternoon shade, or light partial shade, is preferred to prevent any possibility of the foliage scorching. It prefers a rich, moist but well-drained soil, so dig some organic material into the ground – such as compost or peat moss – when preparing your planting spots. Some spring mulch is also beneficial, to preserve moisture and keep the soil cool, but be careful not to bury the foliage at all. Mulching and extra water are especially useful in hotter states, but in cooler areas this plant will grow easily with just the most minimal care.

History and Origins of the Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae

Mr. Bowling Ball™ Arborvitae is a selected form of the American arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, also called white cedar. This tree grows wild across all the north-east, and right up into Canada, and it can be seen growing along the edges of forests and in wet-lands. The name arborvitae means ‘tree of life’, because the Native Americans taught sailors and early settlers to make a tea from the leaves in winter. That tea is rich in Vitamin C, and many new settlers avoided the devastating effects of scurvy by drinking it. Wild trees are narrow and upright, and usually grow 30 to 60 feet tall.

This tree has been grown for hedges and in garden for a very long time, and there are many different garden forms, including the famous Emerald Green Arborvitae, a top hedging plant for cold areas. Sometimes plants of the American Arborvitae produce strange growths of dense, twiggy branches, called witch’s brooms. These are seen from time to time, mostly on evergreen conifers, and back in the 1980s a nurseryman and keen collector of evergreens called Joe Stupka found such a growth on an arborvitae growing in the Linesville Cemetery, in Pennsylvania. It was almost dead, but by using his skills to take special care of it he was able to not only keep it alive but have it grow roots and develop as a healthy little plant. He called it ‘Linesville’. It was distributed among collectors, and one of them, Joe Zampini of Lake County Nursery, Perry, Ohio, at some point decided to give it another name, ‘Bobazam’, which he later registered with the trademark name, Mr. Bowling Ball™.

Our plants are grown by experts under license from Mr. Zampini, and they take stem pieces and root them, to ensure perfect genetic continuity, which seeds would never give. Since everyone wants perfect round green plants in their garden, and no-one wants to clip them, Mr. Bowling Ball™ is getting a big reception in gardens everywhere. Our stock will soon be gone, so don’t hesitate, order now.

What is the growth rate of Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae?

The Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is a steady grower, reaching a mature size of 3 feet in height and diameter in about 10 years. After reaching this size, it continues to grow at a slower pace, adding an inch or two each year. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a low-maintenance plant that won’t quickly outgrow its space.

How does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae handle extreme cold?

The Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is incredibly hardy, able to withstand the extreme cold of winter in zone 3. This means it can survive temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees, making it a great choice for gardens in colder climates.

What kind of soil does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae prefer?

The Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae prefers a rich, moist, well-drained soil. It can benefit from the addition of organic material, such as compost or peat moss, which can help to improve soil structure and provide essential nutrients. This makes it a great choice for gardeners looking to improve their soil health.

Does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae require a lot of maintenance?

One of the great benefits of the Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is its low maintenance requirements. It naturally grows into a perfect spherical shape, requiring no clipping to maintain this form. However, it should be watered regularly during long dry periods to ensure it stays healthy and vibrant.

Can Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae be used in container gardening?

Yes, the Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is an excellent choice for container gardening. Its compact size and spherical shape make it perfect for use in planters or boxes, where it can add a touch of formal elegance. Plus, its low maintenance requirements make it an easy choice for those new to container gardening.

What is the history of Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae?

The Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae has an interesting history. It is a selected form of the American arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis. It was originally found as a strange growth on an arborvitae in a Pennsylvania cemetery. This growth was nurtured and developed into a healthy plant by a nurseryman named Joe Stupka. It was later renamed and registered as Mr. Bowling Ball by Joe Zampini of Lake County Nursery.

What are some creative ways to use Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae in the garden?

There are many creative ways to use Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae in the garden. Its compact, spherical shape makes it perfect for framing entrances or emphasizing the corners of a terrace. It can also be planted among other shrubs for a unique touch, or used to create a low hedge that requires no clipping.

Does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae attract any pests or diseases?

Another benefit of the Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is its resistance to pests and diseases. It has no pests or diseases of any significance, making it a virtually trouble-free addition to your garden. This makes it a great choice for those looking for a low-maintenance, resilient plant.

What kind of light conditions does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae prefer?

The Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is quite versatile when it comes to light conditions. It can grow in full sun or with afternoon shade. In cooler states, it grows best in full sun, while in warmer areas, it prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. This makes it a great choice for a variety of garden locations.

How does Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae handle drought conditions?

While the Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae is a hardy plant, it should be watered regularly during long dry periods to ensure it stays healthy. It can also benefit from mulching, which helps to preserve moisture in the soil and keep it cool. This makes it a good choice for areas prone to drought, as long as it receives adequate care.