We use thujas in landscape design in the garden plot

Thuja is a coniferous plant that is in great demand in landscape design. Its use has many undeniable advantages. The only downside is the need to cover non-frost-resistant varieties in northern regions with harsh agroclimatic conditions (Siberian frosts). Numerous photos and examples will help you landscape your yard yourself and beautifully plant various types of thuja in your garden plot. The timing of planting depends on the condition of the root system of the seedlings. If there is no time for the formation of the crown and regular pruning, it is better to plant a plant of the Globoza variety near the house.

The nuances of using thuja in landscape design

In most climatic zones of Russia, numerous groups of eastern and western thuja are successfully grown. Their high cold resistance helps them withstand frosty winters. Some European varieties need shelter. But such representatives of coniferous culture are not widespread in the country, especially when landscaping in summer cottages. They require certain conditions, the creation of which is usually done by collectors who are passionate about thuja breeding.

Representatives of the western thuja are planted to decorate gardening areas and household plots. Ephedra comes from Canada, where agroclimatic conditions are similar to those observed in the central regions of Russia. The eastern variety was brought to temperate latitudes from Asia - the culture is more demanding. The plant reacts sharply to the north wind. If the owner of the site decides to use varieties of oriental beauty, places for them are looked for on the windward side of the house.

Functional application and climatic conditions

In a complex system of using elements of landscape decoration, this evergreen plant is given a place in the landscaped area, focusing on the purpose for which planting is planned.

Depending on their intended purpose in landscape design, thujas are conventionally divided into the following types:

• soliter (for single planting of a tall element);
• dwarf (various uses);
• formatted (trees for mini-parks, terraces with ledges);
• shrubby (for high borders and hedges);
• multi-colored (with non-traditional needle color).

The use of thuja in landscape design.
The division is called conditional because the boldness of the design solutions of different projects suggests multifunctional use, in which shrubs can be used for terraces or high flower beds, solitaires can be used for high conditional hedges in areas with a large area. At the same time, there is a second distinction, according to which this type of decorative element differs depending on the origin of a particular variety. Belonging to the well-known cypress genus did not limit the plant’s distribution area, because it is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, relative ease of planting, and a high degree of emotional mood when used correctly. Thuja was brought to Europe to decorate palace parks and garden compositions, but even before that it was widely used in different countries.

Depending on the territorial affiliation, there are Western and Eastern, Japanese and Korean, folded, which have specific requirements for adaptation. In temperate and cold climate conditions, the western thuja is most widespread, as it is the most adaptable and frost-resistant. The above varieties are only a small part of the existing ones, but they are considered to be the most common.

Variety of forms and common varieties

Dwarf plants include plants reaching a height of 1 m. They look great in small areas where it is not possible to plant many tall plants and trees, but they are often placed in large areas as a structural element of an alpine hill, rock garden, or Japanese rock garden. Dwarf plants go worse with certain styles, for example, Naturgarden or Art Nouveau; they are typical for landscapes with structured delimitation and zones with a specific purpose.

The most famous varieties are:

• Hosery;
• Dannika;
• Little Dorrit.

Dannika retains its spherical shape without additional pruning, so it is often used to create borders along park paths.

To create hedges, varieties of thuja occidentalis are more often used, of which the most favorite among designers are:

• Brabant;
• Emerald;
• Yellow Ribbon.

Each of these types has its own strengths. Brabant easily tolerates frost, drought and high humidity; it grows half a meter in a year, and can reach 5 m in adulthood. It can also be used for single landings. Yellow Ribbon can reach a maximum of 2 meters in height, and it reaches this height by the age of 10 years. Its undeniable positive difference is the yellow-orange color of the needles. Very often, Yellow Ribbon is used to enliven a gloomy landscape, bleak corners of a site, or a rocky ascetic landscape.

Thuja Smaragd occupies a special place in landscape design. The tree is completely covered with branches starting from the base and tightly adjacent to the trunk. An adult tree that grows very quickly, without fear of any weather difficulties, can reach a height of six meters in a fairly short time. Despite the large number of varieties for solitary planting, Smaragd is widely used both as a material for high hedges, and for single accented plantings, and minimized groups of 3 to 5 elements.

When choosing other varieties for single planting, you should take into account the climate and design of a particular site. Reingold grows slowly, reaches one and a half meters, but has the shape of a ball, and the needles have a beautiful golden color. Sunkist grows up to 3 m, reaching maximum growth after 10 years, but it is conical in shape and has beautiful golden needles. As a semantic accent, this tree certainly attracts attention in any landscape. Cornik belongs to the folded variety, prefers moisture and good soil, does not like high temperatures, but has many shades, and with skillful care it will add originality to the design.

Description and characteristics

The genus of perennial conifers is represented mainly by shrubs, less often by trees. The latter can reach a height of 70 meters in nature, while the crown diameter does not exceed 6 m. Representatives of the Cypress family at the beginning of development have soft, needle-like foliage. The latter becomes scaly over time. The location of the needles on the branches is supratative.

The widespread use of ephedra in landscaping explains the variety of crown shapes. There are five types:

1. Pyramidal. Conifers with this crown shape grow up to 2-3 m. Suitable for group planting or as a tapeworm.
2. Columnar. The crown shape can be of both tall and short growing varieties. Instances are often used to frame alleys or garden paths.
3. Umbrella-shaped. The type of crown is typical for medium-sized conifers with which ridges are decorated.
4. Pin-shaped. The shape is similar to a pyramidal one, but more rounded and dense. Due to their excellent tolerance to pruning, plants are planted as future art objects.
5. Globular. The type unites a group of low-growing varieties with slow growth rates. The latter allow you to maintain this crown shape throughout the entire life cycle.

For your information!

Dwarf arborvitae combine well with small fountains, ledges and ponds, allowing them to be used in various parts of the garden.

GOLDEN TONE OF NEEDLES

Thuja looks great in a composition with deciduous plants, but does not like larch, spruce, pine and fir in the neighborhood. She will accept birch and bird cherry calmly, but in terms of style compatibility it will simply be unacceptable, because these are elements of opposing styles.

It is appropriate to plant the plant as a decoration for the alley leading to the entrance to the house, or the main path from the gate, hedge, or additional delimitation if the plot is large and intended for different purpose zoning. Plants on the shore of an artificial reservoir look great, but here they need to be compatible with those plants that are planted to strengthen the coastal zone. Thujas with a golden hue will become the diamond of your garden. They shimmer spectacularly in the sun, adding notes of luxury and wealth to the landscape.

(Thuja occidentalis Rheingold) is a valuable ornamental plant that can give even the most dull landscape a joyful mood.

Thanks to its bright golden-yellow color, the needles and thin shoots that add delicacy to the crown have become very popular among gardeners and landscape designers. Thuja occidentalis “Rheingold” is used to create colorful molded hedges.

Looks great as a tapeworm on an emerald lawn, in small groups, in mixborders.

(Thuja occidentalis Sunkist) is an evergreen cone-shaped coniferous shrub or small tree, with very densely branched, vertical branches, very decorative, slightly twisted. Young needles are bright, golden yellow.

With the help of these trees you can create an intense yellow wall that stands out in contrast against the background of other dark plants. The height of an adult plant is 3-5 m, crown diameter is 1-2 m. Photophilous.

Western thuja “Sunkist” is one of the most brightly colored varieties of western thuja for planting as part of colorful tree and shrub compositions, for container growing and single planting.

(Thuja occidentalis Golden Brabant) is a beautiful coniferous representative of the Cypress family.

It grows quickly, by the age of 10 years it reaches 3 meters in height and 1.5 meters in diameter. Prefers a sunny location and well-drained soil.

It tolerates cutting and shaping of the crown well, and holds its shape well. Used as a tapeworm to decorate the lawn; when planted in groups, it forms spectacular living borders and walls.

A little inspiration

Advantages and disadvantages

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The evergreen plant is widely used not only by landscape designers, but also by owners of dachas and country houses, trying to create an atmosphere of harmony and comfort and unity with nature on the site. Due to the variety of forms, which is identified as the main advantage, conifers are used to decorate alpine hills (compact, low-growing varieties are suitable), to form hedges (specimens with fast growth rates are planted).

Thuja, like any coniferous plant, releases phytoncides, creating a special microclimate in the yard. The culture has soft needles. Thanks to this characteristic, it can be placed near children's playgrounds and in recreation areas. Since the shoots are not prickly, like those of pine or spruce, children will not be able to injure themselves on them during active games. Among the disadvantages of thuja when used in design is its superficial root system, due to which the plant cannot be grown in lowlands. It does not develop well in waterlogged soils. In addition, in Siberia and the Urals, thujas need shelter. Shoots damaged by frost turn black and dry out, spoiling the decorative appearance of not only the conifer itself, but also the entire landscape composition.

Interesting tips

When choosing a place to plant a new plant, take into account its requirements for soil, nutrition and acidity, humidity and light. Only those plants that have the same requirements for conditions for growth and development should grow in one area. Avoid waterlogging and dry soil.

Did you know? Applying thuja oil externally to the skin can relieve pain symptoms associated with arthritis and rheumatism.

When deciding which plants to plant together, start with the following steps:

1. Determine for yourself the purpose of creating a flower bed, alpine slide, rose garden, garden in Japanese or English style. The choice of varieties also depends on this.
2. Select the desired plants according to color, shape and requirements for growing conditions.
3. Plant only healthy and undamaged trees and shrubs.
4. The selected specimens should be approximately symmetrical (with an equal number of branches and leaves) and have the correct varietal color.
5. Do not plant a large number of tall plants in a small garden.

Thuja is the most popular coniferous plant in landscape design. You can find a huge number of options for its use, as well as combinations with other plants. When purchasing thuja, you must definitely study the conditions that are recommended for its cultivation and select those varieties that best suit your site.

Types and varieties of thuja

To decorate a site with conifers of the Cypress family, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the species and the variety bred on its basis. There are only five typical varieties: Korean, giant, Japanese, Sichuan, Western. In central Russia, forms of predominantly the latter type have been used in landscape design. Breeding institutes do not stop working on developing varieties more adapted to temperate latitudes.

"Brabant"

In garden conditions, conifers grow up to 5 m, with a crown diameter of 1.5 m. Since the plants have a fast growth rate, they are often planted along the fence, forming a hedge. Annual growth is 30 cm. By the age of five, young specimens grow to 1.5-2 m, provided that they were planted as grown seedlings. High-quality planting material is purchased from nurseries.

"Columna"

The shape is similar to the Crimean cypress. It is represented by large plants, the height of which can reach 7 m. Ephedra is classified as a columnar type due to the shape of its dense crown, which is formed by graceful shoots covered with soft, bright green needles. If you plant such thujas in your country house, you can easily recreate the Mediterranean atmosphere.

"Filiformis"

A slow-growing shrub with a height of about 2 m. The shoots grow up to 1.5 m in width. The shape of the crown resembles a cone. It is formed by densely leafy shoots. The color is classic – bright green. By winter, the richness gives way to deeper shades. The needle-like leaves emit a strong aroma in spring.

For your information!

Conifers grow well in both sun and partial shade. They prefer soil that is well moistened, but with high drainage qualities and a neutral reaction.

"Wagnery"

Trees suitable for open areas. Since they can grow up to 4-5 m in height, they choose areas with large free space. The plants are frost-resistant and easily tolerate winters in the middle zone. It is better not to plant in more northern regions, since thuja reacts negatively to snowfalls - tender shoots suffer greatly from them and turn black, which has a bad effect on decorativeness.

"Miki"

The variety is represented by perennials with a wide base and pointed top. Low-growing thuja is often grown in flowerpots. Unpretentious and easily tolerates short-term drought and severe winter frosts. It is not demanding on the soil composition, but it grows better on loam with a neutral reaction without stagnant water. To improve drainage qualities, sand is added to the site.

BALL SHAPE.

These versatile trees pair well with other plants and a variety of decorative items. Due to their slow growth, compositions with thujas retain their original appearance for a long time, which is why they are often used in mixborders, rock gardens and Japanese gardens.

Dwarf varieties grow well in containers and pots; with their help you can create a kind of coniferous lawn. A medium-sized variety of spherical thuja can be used as borders or hedges.

(Thuja occidentalis Globosa) One of the most beautiful representatives of the Cypress family. It grows quite quickly.

The needles are scale-like, light green in spring, green in summer and gray-green or brownish in winter, with shiny glands. It gains 5-10 cm in height and width per year.

At 10 years old, its size is about 1 m in diameter. Due to its small size, it is often used for landscaping balconies and terraces, and can be used as a container crop.

(Thuja occidentalis “Mr. Bowling Ball”) is a spherical, dwarf coniferous shrub with light green needles. Its numerous thin thread-like shoots, slightly drooping, give the crown a beautiful openwork appearance.

In landscape design, “Mr. Bowling Ball” is valued for its attractive appearance at any time of the year and its compact crown, which does not require trimming to maintain its ideal spherical shape for a long time.

Suitable for creating low, free-growing hedges and borders, for creating picturesque landscape compositions of trees and shrubs with various architectures.

(Thuja occidentalis “Mirjam”) is a coniferous, spherical, slow-growing shrub, bright yellow-green in color. Thanks to its symmetrical, regular shape and bright, sunny foliage, thuja occidentalis “Miriam” very quickly became popular in Europe.

The variety is slow growing, growing no more than 0.8 m in diameter. The needles are yellow-green, scaly. In winter, the needles acquire a golden-copper color, and in the spring they turn bright yellow again. Thuja occidentalis “Miriam” is excellent for creating low, free-growing hedges and borders, for forming contrasting compositions of trees and shrubs with different architecture and color.

Due to its resistance to urban conditions, it can be used for landscaping streets and squares. In addition, thuja “Mirjam” can decorate any container composition on a balcony or terrace.

(Thuja plicata Whipcord) is an unusual coniferous plant characterized by a weeping crown shape. It grows up to 1.5 meters in height, expanding in diameter with age.

The shoots of the thuja are soft and thread-like, falling to the ground, forming a hemispherical loose shape. Gardeners note that this is the best variety for creating figures in topiary art, since Thuja Whipcord tolerates well and lends itself to shaping, perfectly holding the shape given to it.

Such a spectacular coniferous plant will decorate the lawn, fit harmoniously into thematic gardens (especially Japanese ones), and also diversify landscape compositions.

(Thuja occidentalis Woodwardii) is an extremely popular variety in Europe, primarily because of its decorative properties: rich green color, dense crown shape, beautiful habit, as well as excellent survival rate and unpretentiousness.

At the age of 10 years, it looks like a compact shrub 40-60 cm high and wide. The branches are green, coarse, up to 3 mm wide, the same color on both sides; in winter they remain green or only the tips turn slightly brown. The needles are scaly.

Planting in mixborders, as well as as a solo plant in open areas and on the sides of paths. Looks good when breaking up a monotonous row of fences.

(Thuja occidentalis Danica) is the most popular globular thuja in the world. It is ideal for creating a relief border, tolerates molding well and is used in topiary art.

Thuja occidentalis “Danika” will look picturesque in any composition and will decorate an alpine hill, Japanese garden, mixborder, rock garden and even an ordinary flower garden. It grows slowly, 3-5 cm in height and width per year. At 10 years old, this “green ball” will be only 40 cm in diameter.

The needles are scaly, thick, green, soft, shiny, and in spring a brighter emerald green color. The variety has high frost resistance, but in order to avoid burning and breaking the crown from the weight of snow, it is recommended to cover the thuja with spruce branches or craft paper.

(Thuja occidentalis Selena) is a small evergreen coniferous shrub with a spherical shape. The needles are scaly, light, yellowish-green or even light green in color.

The crown is formed symmetrically, densely, at a young age it is spherical, over the years it slightly stretches upward and becomes oval. This variety of thuja looks great on an alpine hill, in a heather and gravel garden.

It is widely used by landscape designers to create mixed compositions of coniferous and deciduous plants with different architecture and crown color.

(Thuja occidentalis Tiny Tim) is one of the smallest spherical varieties of western thuja, reaching about 0.4 meters in diameter at the age of 10 years.

The height of an adult plant is 0.5-1 m, width 1-1.5 m. The branches are short, densely located, forming lacy spirals. The needles are green; in winter they may darken slightly, but this does not make them any less attractive and in demand.

Most often used for planting on alpine hills and rocky gardens, in places where it will be clearly visible and complement the overall composition.

Can grow in a container and decorate a terrace, balcony or loggia.

Compatibility with other plants

Species diversity with numerous shapes and colors of the crown makes it possible to use thujas in landscaping areas. Beautiful and soft needles are combined with the “prickly” spruce shoots. Conifers look original and elegant in composition with horizontal and creeping junipers. Bright roses, due to similar soil requirements, are excellent “neighbors” of thujas. Bright buds only emphasize the richness of the greenery.

Compositions with other flowering and deciduous crops are very decorative. The ephedra fits well into the front garden where spirea or Thunberg barberry grows. To create a color extravaganza, blue varieties of spruce and thuja forms with yellow needles are selected. But larch is not the best option for a neighborhood. If the crop grows on the site, it is not worth placing a cypress representative nearby.

Design ideas

If the area is small, thuja can be used in single plantings. Several trees will look good on the area in front of the house, near a bench, in an area where there is a lot of sunlight.

Near the house you can combine thujas in containers with flowers in pots, combining different colors and shapes in a home composition. In a dacha or local area, it is not advisable to use tall, long-growing varieties.

Thujas look best as hedges or fences for alleys. It can be used to decorate balconies and terraces. For decorating small areas, medium-sized varieties reaching a height of up to 2 m are suitable. They lend themselves well to molding and look compact.

A beautiful design can be made from low-growing coniferous shrubs and paving slabs. It is alternated with plants in a checkerboard pattern. The composition can be fenced with taller varieties of shrubs.

In flower beds, plants in the shape of a ball or semicircle look best. Low-growing plants are also suitable for decorating a rock garden or a Japanese-style composition. Whatever options you choose, thuja will look advantageous everywhere, harmonizing with almost any type of garden crop.

Planting thuja

The timing of planting conifers is influenced by the state of the plant’s root system. With a closed rhizome, the planting material is suitable for planting throughout the entire growing season. If it is open (with a ball of earth), the best time is spring or early autumn. In the second case, the timing is selected based on the arrival of constant cold weather. Before such weather arrives, the thuja must take root.

How to choose and where to plant

The choice of seedlings is an important agrotechnical event. When purchasing them, a number of nuances are taken into account: frost resistance, growth rate, maximum height of an adult specimen, purpose of use (if thuja is chosen for an alpine hill, a dwarf variety is suitable, but large trees are needed for an external hedge). If the planting material has a closed root system (in a container), evaluate the external condition of the crown:

• thickness;
• color;
• the presence of dried shoots.

For thuja, select sunny areas or in light shade with protection from drafts. Plants grow well in loose soil. If it is too dense, the area is first dug up and covered with peat and sand. Since the crop has shallow roots, the location of groundwater does not matter. The main thing is that the site is not swampy, in a lowland.

Transplantation into the ground

When the location is chosen, the seedlings are prepared and planting begins. Sequencing:

1. Dig a hole, the dimensions of which correspond to the root system of the planting material.
2. Broken brick or gravel is sent to the bottom as drainage (layer - 10-15 cm).
3. The seedling is installed along with a lump of earth.
4. The voids are filled with extracted soil.
5. The soil in the tree trunk circle is compacted, moistened and mulched with pine bark.

For your information!

When planting in groups, an interval of 1-2 m is maintained between holes, depending on the purpose and growth of the plants.

Formation of thuja

Of course, it is possible to shape thuja. But designers are trying to preserve its natural shape and simply complement it with a skillful haircut. Hedges are trimmed annually. This should be done when the tree is dormant, that is, in winter. In addition, winter time is preferable due to the fact that the tree will not lose moisture and will not become infected with phytopathogens.

Find out more about how to grow thuja from a twig.

Step-by-step haircut algorithm:

1. Wear gardening gloves: Thuja is toxic and you don't want the sap coming into contact with exposed areas of your body.
2. Disinfect the cutting edges of the tool by immersing them in boiling water for 30 seconds, or wipe them with alcohol. Repeat the procedure before cutting the next tree, and also at the end of the work.
3. Use the ladder to get to the top.
4. Start by trimming dry branches. Then stand back and evaluate the overall appearance. Visually mark what and where you need to cut.
5. Trim branches that grow inward. It is necessary that air and sunlight circulate freely in the crown.
6. If necessary, reduce the height.
7. Perform light trimming on the sides.
8. Evaluate your progress - if 20% of the green mass is cut off, then you should stop. They plan to cut the next part only next year so that it is safe for the tree.

Proper care after disembarkation

In order for the plant to grow strong and healthy, it must be cared for regularly. If thujas are planted to create hedges or borders that delimit zones of the site, the crop is subjected to additional formative pruning. Otherwise, the conifer is undemanding. Agricultural cultivation technology comes down to standard activities.

Watering and loosening

After planting, young specimens are watered every week, pouring 10-50 liters under the bush. The consumption rate depends on the age of the seedling. Thujas love moist soil - they should be irrigated immediately after the surface layer dries. Ephedra responds well to sprinkling, which helps wash away dust from the needle-like foliage and makes breathing easier for the plant. Due to the shallow root system, the soil in the tree trunk is loosened no deeper than 10 cm. The frequency of the procedure for young plants is weekly, after watering. Under mature thujas, it is enough to cultivate the soil once a month to maintain looseness.

Plant shapes

You can create any shape from thuja. But each variety also has natural characteristics, which are classified into 5 types:

• pyramidal (plants reach 2-20 m depending on the variety);
• columnar (grows up to 5 m, used to create hedges);
• umbrella-shaped (does not exceed 1 m in height, used to decorate flower beds);
• pin-shaped (2-meter thuja with dense branches that allow you to create hedges);
• spherical (a dense small shrub that changes during its life not only the size, but also the shade of the needles).

Experienced designers focus on the natural shape of the bush, using it from the most advantageous side.

Diseases and pests

The greatest danger among harmful insects to conifers is the juniper scale insect. Aphids are also observed feeding on the shoots. After the needles are colonized by pests, they notice their yellowing and falling off. To get rid of harmful insects, perennials are treated with an insecticide solution before buds open. The consumption rate is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging.

Ephedra is affected by fungal diseases: brown schutte, fusarium and cytosporosis. To cure the plant, it is sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. To preserve decorativeness, it is better to prevent the development of pathogenic organisms by treating shoots in early spring for preventive purposes. If damage occurs, treatments are repeated every two weeks until signs of the disease disappear.

Varieties by crown shape

As one might guess from the description of previous species, thujas differ not only in their place of growth or selection. They also come in different shapes: tall and narrow, wide and flat, balls and cones.

Dwarf

Small bushes, like large trees, also come in different formats: but they are distinguished by their compact dimensions.

Danica

By the name of the thuja variety it is easy to guess the country of origin. Danica was actually developed in Denmark in the 1950s. It has a rounded spherical crown ~50-60 cm in diameter.

The red-brown stem is covered with soft scaly needles of an emerald green tone. It requires virtually no care and survives both drought and humidity. But it is better that the soil is loose enough.

Teeny Tim

Another western thuja with a spherical shape. Used for compositions in flower beds and rock gardens. Almost twice the size of danica - the side shoots grow up to half a meter. The needles are shiny, from rich light green to dark green.

The small thuja is resistant to cold winters, city smog, dryness, and waterlogging.

Little Champion

Unlike previous varieties of western thuja, Little Champion is prone to natural color changes: in summer the bush is green, in winter it is brown or brownish. Designers fell in love with the variety for its unique spreading crown: although the branches grow quite rarely, the bush still looks interesting.

Columnar

Emerald

One of the most popular Western species along with Brabant. Large trees (up to 5-6 m, but the average size is ~300 centimeters) of regular shape with lush emerald needles, which retain their shade even in severe frost.

Columnar-shaped Smaragd requires sun, but does not like drought - so watering should be regular, preferably automatic. In autumn, the frequency of water supply is reduced, and in winter the soil is covered with mulch.

Young seedlings should be protected from snow for the first 2-3 years.

Fastigiata

Slender rows of thin thujas of this variety can often be found in city parks, along alleys and paths. Although the tree looks elongated, it reaches 300 centimeters in width - however, its impressive dimensions are offset by its outstanding growth - up to 8-9 meters!

Thujas grow quickly (up to 30 cm per year), live long (about 200 years), and retain their green color even in the harsh conditions of the middle zone. Due to the combination of density and height, they are often used as a buffer, protecting areas from roadside dust.

Europe Gold

Ideas for beautiful landscaping

Regardless of the style of garden design, there is a place for thuja. There are many options for placing ephedra. Perennial plants that remain decorative throughout the year will decorate the front area. With their use, the rockery will take on a more refined look: it will become the calling card of the owners of a dacha or country house.

Fast-growing varieties are used to form a hedge that closes a cozy yard from prying eyes and creates a special microclimate. Thujas of various types look beautiful in an ensemble with long-flowering crops and decorative foliage. Some varieties of barberry do not shed their leaves - they will be an excellent addition to a coniferous composition, where there are also junipers or dwarf forms of spruce.

Bright conifers, when planted and cared for correctly, allow you to create a unique landscape on your site. Along with the beauty they provide all year round, thujas purify the air and saturate it with oxygen.

Place and features of planting and care

In order for the thuja to grow well, you need to choose a suitable place for it. It is advisable to plant plants in areas protected from winds and cold. In the north, the crop is placed in the sun. In the southern regions, needles often fade in the sun, so you should look for semi-shaded areas.

Shrubs do not like swampy areas with stagnant moisture, although they are not afraid of groundwater. On clay soils, it is worth putting drainage into the planting hole. The soil mixture for planting should include peat, sand, and some soil. The tree trunk circle on top is mulched with pine bark.

For rooting seedlings, choose spring or summer so that the crop can strengthen before the onset of cold weather. Watering should be moderate: do not overwater the plant. Winter-hardy varieties do not provide shelter when frost arrives. The exception is young seedlings, which are recommended to be covered with agrofibre. Eastern varieties of thuja are transferred indoors in containers for the winter.

Interesting! How to grow thuja from a branch

The main problem with the needles of the plant is fading in the sun. To prevent this from happening, the bush is covered with thin, breathable fabric, for example, gauze or agrofibre.

Where is the best place to grow thuja?

I think it would not be amiss to remind you, dear readers, that it is better to purchase planting material from trusted sellers. The best option is to buy seedlings from a professional nursery. The success of your further actions directly depends on how strong and healthy the plants are.

It is equally important to choose a suitable place for growing ornamental thuja. Please note that this is a light-loving crop. However, prolonged exposure to the sun can cause dehydration of the perennial. As a result, it will not survive the winter well. Therefore, at noon, direct UV rays should not hit the conifer. In addition, thuja does not tolerate cold drafts. Place it near buildings or fences. The soil for the crop in question is fertile and loose. For example, turf soil with the addition of peat and river sand. On scarce lands (in clay and sandy loam), ephedra also grows safely, but is less decorative.

Landing technology

Planting work can begin both in spring and autumn. The second option is more preferable, since there is a greater chance that the seedlings will have time to get stronger before the arrival of winter. Dig holes of such size that the root system can fit freely into them. They should be 40 cm larger than the soil ball. If you want to plant several plants, be sure to maintain an interval of 1 to 5 m between them (based on the dimensions of an adult bush). When planting a perennial along an alley, leave a gap of 4 m between the seedlings.

Next, follow this algorithm:

1. Place a mixture of garden soil and a small amount of rotted manure or compost at the bottom of the hole.
2. Soak the roots of the plant in water with a growth stimulator for 2 - 3 hours. Keep the plant in the liquid until all air bubbles are released.
3. Place the seedling in the hole in a strictly vertical position. Carefully straighten the root system so that there are no knots or creases. Make sure the root collar is placed just above ground level.
4. Fill the remaining empty space with nutritious soil mixture. Carefully compact it at the base of the trunk.

Water the planted thuja generously with warm water. On average, water consumption per specimen is 1.5 - 2 liters. When the moisture is absorbed and the soil settles a little, cover the root zone with mulch. I like to use pine bark, compost, wood shavings or peat for this. Mulch will prevent rapid evaporation of moisture and also protect the roots from heat and cold.

Important! Make sure that the mulch does not cover the lower branches and trunk of the thuja. This can cause damping off of these parts of the ephedra.

Planting and growing thuja

Planting and caring for the garden is an interesting hobby for summer residents. The main thing is to protect the plant from scorching rays and frost, and feed it if necessary.

Description of agricultural technology:

1. The place is chosen sunny or slightly shaded. In the shade, decorative varieties lose their attractiveness. The scorching rays will cause burns and drying out.
2. The soil for growing conifers can be anything, but preference is given to nutritious soil.
3. In places with high groundwater levels, a drainage layer up to 20 cm thick must be laid.
4. Planting is done in early spring so that the bush adapts before winter.
5. The planting pit is prepared 2 weeks before planting. It needs to be filled with a nutrient mixture: part peat, part sand, 2 parts turf soil. For conifers that love nutritious soil, you can add fertilizers, such as nitroammofoska.

   
   Planting a seedling in a prepared hole

6. The seedling is placed in a hole so that the root collar remains above the soil level. The roots are covered with soil and lightly compacted. To plant a group, a distance of at least 0.5 m must be maintained between seedlings.
7. After planting, daily soil moisture is required.

Further care for the spherical guest consists of watering, fertilizing, loosening, pruning and covering for the winter.

The bushes do not need frequent watering, but in conditions of prolonged drought they begin to develop worse. In the first month, watering is organized daily, then the frequency is reduced to 1 time per week. The amount of water per bush is approximately 10 liters. If dry and hot weather persists for a long time, you can increase the frequency to 2 times a week.

• Watering and fertilizing for thuja

After each moistening, you need to slightly loosen the soil, otherwise air will get worse to the roots. To preserve moisture, the tree trunk circle is mulched with peat or compost. The mulch layer is from 7 to 10 cm. Mulching is useful not only by preserving moisture, the plant is less exposed to weeds and receives nutrients.

It is not recommended to fertilize thuja for the first 3-4 years after planting, since the plant is a slow growing one. In the future, dwarf specimens are fed as needed. It is better to purchase special complex fertilizers.

The younger the bush, the less fertilizer needs to be applied.

For spring, Kemira Universal (50-60 g/m2), nitroammophoska (30 g/m2) are suitable. Potassium supplements are used in October.

Video on how to choose a suitable copy.