Canadian hemlock: description and care in the Moscow region, photos in landscape design, reviews

Canadian hemlock is a perennial tree from the Pine family. Coniferous wood is used for furniture production, while bark and needles are used in the pharmaceutical and perfume industries. An evergreen tree native to Canada, widespread in America, especially in its northern part. Canadian hemlock and its varieties are grown as a decorative element for landscape design.

Botanical description of Canadian Hemlock

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga Canadensis) is a perennial evergreen monoecious plant from the Pine family.
The name “Canadian” indicates the natural habitat of this coniferous tree. Canadian hemlock is a rather tall tree (grows up to 20-30 meters) with a cone-shaped crown. The branches are located horizontally, hanging down slightly. In the wild, the trunk of the Canadian Hemlock, as a rule, does not have branches for more than half of its length; it narrows noticeably towards the top. The trunk diameter is 60-120 cm.

Young Hemlock has scaly bark that is red or dark brown. The older the plant becomes, the thicker and deeply furrowed the bark becomes, and the scales peel off. Its thickness is 1.5-2 cm. The color also changes: the bark acquires a grayish-brown tint.

The needles of Canadian Hemlock have a flat shape. It is very small and soft, blunt at the end. The needles are dark green on top with a longitudinal groove, and light green on the bottom with two stripes. The needles are arranged in two rows on protruding leaf pads.

The cones are oval in shape. Their length reaches up to 2.5 cm. They grow directly from the branches and are colored gray-brown. The seeds are very small, about 1 mm, ovoid, with wings.

Male rounded strobili are yellow, female ones are light green.

Description

Hemlock is the oldest representative of the Pine family. These trees grow all over the world, but the forests of North America and East Asia are considered the homeland of hemlock. The height of some trees can reach 75 meters. The shape of the crown of the crop is similar to fir, since it has soft and rather flat needles. Hemlock in America has been studied and discovered several times, in light of which several names for this plant can be found. To this day, some types of hemlock are called “hemlock”, based on the primary name of the crop from the Pine family. Over time, a similar tree was discovered in Asia, which radically influenced its species classification.

Today, conifers include several dozen species, most of which have been recorded in Asian regions. Hemlock is notable for its ease of care; the main requirement of the crop is the moisture of the soil in which the tree will be planted. Among the cultural features it is also worth highlighting shade tolerance. Young hemlock seedlings develop extremely slowly, the plant blooms at the end of April and continues until the beginning of summer, however, the flowers themselves stand out for their inconspicuous appearance, which in general does not negatively affect the decorative component of the evergreen crop.

Description of hemlock

In total, there are 14-18 species in the hemlock genus, although some of them are considered subspecies or varieties. Hemlocks are always trees, but it is curious that their height and shape can vary significantly not only among different species, but also within the same species. The average height of individuals of most species is 28-30 m. The highest height is for western hemlock, often reaching 75 m.

Hemlocks are evergreen tall monoecious trees with a cone-shaped crown, wider and often uneven in old age, and hanging thin shoots, with deeply furrowed bark extending into small plates.

Species such as Himalayan hemlock (Tsuga dumosa), Chinese hemlock, or Taiwanese hemlock (Tsuga chinensis), Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) reach 40-60 m in height. The shoots are grooved or smooth, the apical shoots are poorly developed. The buds are very small. The cones are small, usually drooping, ripen in the first year, do not fall apart when ripe and fall off only the next year. The seed scales are thin-woody and rounded. The covering scales do not exceed the length of the seed scales and are much narrower. They are entire, finely toothed or slightly notched at the top. The seeds are small, with resin glands on the surface, with a long wing. The needles in almost all species are flattened, linear-lanceolate, on the lower surface with 2 white or whitish stripes of 4-10 stomatal lines each, at the base narrowed into a short petiole attached to an elevated leaf pad. The needles along the edge can be entire or finely toothed. They propagate by seeds or cuttings; rarer species can be propagated by grafting onto Canadian hemlock.

Description of the plant

Hemlock is one of the most spectacular, slow-growing and elegant species of conifers, with which you can transform and decorate your garden. And it is no coincidence that it has become a plant with a special status. Hemlocks stand out clearly against the background of other conifers, even in nature. When comparing hemlock with spruce or fir in terms of decorativeness, they are being a little disingenuous. Thanks to its shortened, flat needles and thin shoots drooping at the ends, hemlock has a more textured and strikingly graceful appearance.

All hemlocks are monoecious evergreen trees with a pyramidal-cone-shaped, ovoid, slender crown. Only after 50-60 years do hemlocks sometimes become unevenly wide and loose. Deeply furrowed brown bark adorns the trunk, but it is difficult to see under the thick needles. The shoots grow horizontally, they are thin and densely branched. Their graceful ends droop beautifully. The graceful branches appear unusual, their lines creating lacy and feather-like patterns and enhancing the textural effect of the greenery.

The needles on hemlock branches are very dense. Flattened, short, only up to 1.5 cm in length, single needles with whitish stripes on the underside can be either whole or finely toothed along the edge, narrowed at the base into a short petiole, and sit on unusual hook-shaped protrusions. Hemlock buds are very small.

The cones, which ripen by the end of the first year but do not fall off until the second, are medium-sized, neatly ovoid, and seem like a decorative scattering of decorations against the background of the dense crown. The grayish-brown color only emphasizes their unusualness.

Hemlocks grow very slowly, adding 10-15 cm per year even in the fastest growing forms.

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). zahradnictvogreen

Botanical description of the hemlock tree

Most often, hemlocks are tall evergreen trees, but, depending on growing conditions, they can be stunted. Thus, within the same species, adult plants range from 6 to 60 m in height, while maintaining the correct shape of the crown. All hemlocks have straight, slender trunks up to 1 m thick with a trunk height of 30 m and a more or less pyramidal crown shape. When describing hemlock, it is worth noting that the branches of the tree are spaced unevenly and horizontally from the trunk, while the ends of the branches and young growths are quite thin and hang down slightly, which gives the plants a unique appearance.

As you can see in the photo, hemlock needles are small, needle-shaped, flattened, shiny, dark green on top and bluish below:

Male “inflorescences” are located in the axils of the needles of last year’s shoots. The cones are similar to spruce ones, but very small. They ripen in the first year.

All types of hemlocks are extremely decorative. Many high-mountain species of East Asia have been little studied and are rare not only in culture, but also in nature.

These are amazingly elegant plants, and this feature is highly valued by designers. In landscape design, hemlocks are most often planted in groves, but they look even more impressive in compositions with plants that have dense, leathery leaves - evergreen rhododendrons, mahonias and similar species. Dwarf varieties are very popular for planting in rockeries; “crying” forms look impressive if they are planted on the borders of retaining walls and the branches hang from them.

Below you can see photos and descriptions of Canadian hemlock varieties:

Canadian hemlock - care

Regardless of the variety, hemlock care consists of the following mandatory measures:

1. Regular watering. The plant, like any conifer, must be watered weekly, adding water per 1 sq.m. soil at least 10 liters of water.
2. Sprinkling. To maintain the aesthetic appearance of the needles, sprinkle hemlocks at least once every 3-4 weeks in the evening or morning.
3. Fertilizer application. When planting in rich soil, frequent use of fertilizing is not recommended. Hemlock is fertilized annually with compost or potassium-phosphorus fertilizer. In this case, about 200 g of fertilizer is dissolved in a bucket of water and the tree is watered with this mixture. Nitrogen application is contraindicated.
4. Shaping and sanitary haircut.
5. Winter shelter for young seedlings and varieties with low frost resistance.

Formation of the hemlock crown

Due to the slow growth rate, Canadian hemlock is trimmed as needed:

1. In the warm season, after the threat of return frosts has ended, the plant is inspected for the presence of dry, diseased and damaged branches. All of them are cut with clean, sharp pruning shears.
2. Adult hemlocks are periodically (once every 3-7 years) trimmed in early autumn to give them a decorative appearance. At the same time, branches that spread heavily along the ground and are knocked out of the intended shape are removed. Radical pruning of the plant is not recommended.

Canadian hemlock - wintering

It was already mentioned above that the hemlock plant has high frost resistance, but it is still necessary to prepare the tree for winter:

1. At the end of September - beginning of October, pre-winter watering is carried out. Approximately 1.5-2 buckets of water are added to each bush.
2. Each bush is mulched with a thick layer of sawdust or peat.
3. For additional protection from frost, it is recommended to cover young seedlings with spruce branches or agrofibre.
4. If there is an abundance of snow in winter, it is recommended to periodically shake off mature bushes to prevent branches from breaking. Canadian hemlock on a trunk

Hemlock on a tree trunk can be a decoration for any garden. In this case, hemlock Pendula is mainly used for this:

1. Mainly thuja can be chosen as a trunk, and the height of the trunk itself will be about 1-1.5 m.
2. This form of cultivation is also preferable because the plant is better illuminated and ventilated, thereby reducing the risk of developing fungal infections.
3. Weeping standard forms of hemlock are used to create arches, wide screens from cascading branches or narrow vertical dominants.

How to properly care

Caring for Canadian hemlock is not particularly difficult. It is important to remember a few rules:

1. Canadian hemlock variety tsuga Jeddeloh needs to be watered weekly, 10 liters of water per meter of soil. The plant does not tolerate drought well, so the soil should always be moist. From time to time it is useful to spray the crown of the plant, but this should be done on cloudy days so that sunlight does not leave burns on the needles.
2. It is enough to feed the shrub once a year in spring or autumn - 200 g of compost are diluted in 10 liters of water and Jeddeloh is watered with a nutrient mixture. You can also dilute potassium or phosphorus in water, but the plant does not need nitrogen. Jeddeloch, in principle, does not need to be fed constantly.
3. Canadian hemlock is pruned quite rarely; the plant grows too slowly and does not change its shape for a long time, which is confirmed by the photo and description of the Jeddeloch hemlock. It is recommended to carry out annual sanitary pruning only, cut off dry and diseased branches, and also remove shoots creeping along the ground.

Since Jeddeloch has fairly high frost resistance, no special measures need to be taken on the eve of winter. In October or early November, shortly before frost, the shrub is watered for the last time and the soil is mulched. Immediately before the onset of cold weather, it is recommended to cover the plant with spruce branches or non-woven material from wind and snow.

Advice! It is snow that poses an increased danger to Jeddeloch. Under its weight, the branches of the bush can break, so it is recommended to regularly shake off the snow from the covering material.

Reproduction

Conifers are propagated in several ways:

• by planting seeds;
• vegetative method.

In the first case, it will be possible to collect suitable material only from crops that are more than 20 years old. Such seeds are sown in special containers with loose soil, keeping the containers for 4 months in a room where the air temperature will not rise above +5 degrees. After time, the seedlings can be moved to a lighted room, where the air will be warmed up to +15 degrees. When seedlings appear, they can be gradually accustomed to heat, growing them in a temperature range from +19 to +23 degrees.

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The vegetative method involves obtaining new crops from hemlock cuttings. For germination, young shoots are selected from the sides of the crop, which, after cutting, are kept in a growth stimulator, and then rooted into loose fertile soil at a right angle. Grow cuttings in a warm room with high humidity and diffused lighting. If necessary, cuttings can be immediately rooted in the garden. They are distinguished by their high survival rate and resistance to frost.

Subtleties of care

In order for the Canadian guest to become a long-lived tree and decorate the garden with a beautiful lush crown, it is important to provide it with proper care. Young plants are especially demanding and find it difficult to adapt to severe frosts.

For several years after planting, they should be covered with peat or spruce branches for the winter. In the winter months, it is enough to clear mature trees of snow in time so that the branches do not break under its weight.

Landing

You need to carefully choose a place for planting.
Hemlock is a shade-tolerant species. It prefers fertile, fresh soils. It is better to plant the plant in soil consisting of a mixture of leaf and turf soil and sand in a ratio of 1: 2: 2. It is recommended to do this in the spring, in April or in September. Ephedra does not respond well to transplants, so you need to carefully choose a place for it on the site.

Before planting, you need to prepare a hole 70–80 centimeters deep and pour about 15 centimeters of coarse sand onto its bottom. After placing the seedling in the hole, you need to make sure that the root collar is not below ground level.

Watering

Canadian hemlock, like many ornamental conifers, needs to be watered; it is moisture-loving. But the amount of water should be moderate. One evergreen tree needs 10 liters of liquid per week.

To prevent the plant from suffering from excessively dry air in hot weather, the needles are doused with water from a hose from time to time. During drought, it is recommended to do this several times a week.

Feeding

Peat is used for weeding

Canadian hemlock does not need additional feeding. The tree receives all the necessary substances from its own fallen needles. By rotting, it enriches the soil with organic matter.

It is enough to weed and mulch the soil in the circle around the trunk from time to time. Peat is used for this. It is laid on the ground in a thin layer, 3–5 centimeters thick.

Among gardeners and landscape designers, hemlock is not as popular as other conifers.

However, the unpretentiousness of this lush evergreen tree and its decorative appearance, rich possibilities in creating garden compositions every year force plant lovers to pay attention to this Canadian guest

Features of care

The unpretentiousness of the Canadian hemlock Nana is manifested in adult plants. Young seedlings require more careful care, protection from direct sunlight, drafts, and frost. This coniferous species is able to grow and develop only in moist soil. To preserve moisture, it is recommended to mulch the soil surface with peat or pine litter. The volume of water required to water an adult bush is 1 bucket per week. It is advisable to pour from a watering can or irrigate the entire bush in cloudy weather or late in the evening.

For the first 2-3 years, Nana hemlock does not need to be fertilized. Feed older plants once a year in the spring. To do this, use special complex fertilizers for conifers or a solution of organic infusion. Apply nutrient mixtures with abundant watering so as not to burn the delicate root system. Fallen needles provide sufficient nutrition for hemlock, so fertilizing is not necessary. If a dense crust forms on the surface of the earth, it is necessary to loosen the soil to a depth of 5-10 cm. Not deeper, since the roots can be damaged.

It is advisable to prepare for winter in November, after the first frost. The soil is mulched, the plant is covered with spruce branches or special non-woven material. The shelter protects Nana's young bushes from frost and bright spring sun. In February - March, it is recommended to protect hemlock needles from burning.

It may be necessary to protect the plant from burning.

Types and varieties

Today a unified classification of hemlock has been adopted. Among the most popular types and varieties of coniferous plants, the following crops are worth noting.

Canadian

Hemlock of this species is an elegant and slender tree, the height of which can reach up to 30 meters. The crown has a cone shape. A notable feature of the culture is the ability to have one or more trunks. The bark of an evergreen crop will contain grooves; in adult plants, the trunk will be brown. The main branches grow horizontally, with their ends sloping downwards. The needles are small, usually their length does not exceed 2 centimeters, there is a blunt end at the end, the color is predominantly dark green with a glossy sheen and a longitudinal groove. Canadian hemlock produces oval-shaped cones of gray-brown color, their length does not exceed 3 centimeters.

No less remarkable is the varietal assortment of Canadian hemlock. It is worth highlighting the most popular crops:

Albospica - a culture notable for the variegated color of its needles;

Everitt Golden – yellow conifer;

Nana is a miniature variety, notable for its drooping branches;

Pendula is an exquisite variety of tall evergreen conifer, the branches of which stand out for their weeping structure;

Jeddeloh is another dwarf representative of the Canadian hemlock, the branches of which provide the plant with a semicircular shape as they grow spirally along the trunk;

Cole's Prostrate is a creeping conifer variety with olive-colored needles that grow rather slowly.

Western

Western hemlock has an average growth rate; the tree can grow to a height of 40-60 meters. The needles form small cones and may contain white stripes on the surface. The birthplace of the culture is North America. The habitat of the crop in the wild is considered to be coastal zones and mountain slopes. The crown has a wide-pointed shape, the ends of the shoots will slope down.

Western hemlock is represented by the following decorative varieties:

Argenteovariegata is an attractive crop with white-variegated branches;

Conica is a miniature variety with a pin-shaped crown, reaching a height of 2-3 meters;

Ray Godfray is a medium-sized evergreen crop that develops extremely slowly, has drooping shoots at an early age, which rise with age.

Mountain or Mertens

Another type of evergreen crop, native to North America. The height of the plant can reach 40 meters with a trunk diameter of about 150 centimeters. The crown of the mountain hemlock will follow the outline of the cone, while the color of the trunk varies from dark gray to red-brown. The wood has cracks and numerous scales. The branches are predominantly brown, with dense pubescence. The buds of the culture are ovoid in shape, their length usually does not exceed 3-4 mm. The needles are needle-type, about 30 mm long, which develops in all directions.

Among the occurring subspecies, it is worth highlighting 3 common crops:

Tsuga mertensiana var. mertensiana;

Tsuga mertensiana var. jeffeyi;

Tsuga mertensiana subsp. grandicona.

Popular types

There are several of the most studied types of hemlock. Based on them, many decorative forms were developed that are used in landscape design.

Canadian hemlock

Tsuga canadensis is endemic to the northeastern United States and Canada. In these places it forms pure or mixed forest stands. In the wild it reaches a height of 20–25 m and has a wide, dense cone-shaped crown. Prefers a damp, cool climate. Withstands temperatures down to -20°C. Compact forms for landscaping gardens and parks have been created based on Canadian hemlock:

• Albospicata. A dwarf plant up to 2–2.5 m high. The crown is spreading, irregular or pyramidal in shape. With age, the needles change their yellowish tint to bright green.
• Jeddeloh. A low shrub with a semicircular crown and a spiral arrangement of branches. The needles are hard, needle-shaped, light green, about 1.5 cm long.
• Minima. A spectacular small shrub, the crown is dense, spherical, about 1.5 m wide and high, the needles are dark green, about 0.5–1 cm in size.
• Nana. Miniature Canadian pine with flexible shoots and needles reaching 2 cm in length.

Carolina hemlock

Tsuga caroliniana is found in the southeastern states of the United States along rocky river banks at an altitude of 700 m above sea level. This evergreen tree reaches 15 m. The young bark is light brown, becoming dark brown with age. The crown is pyramidal, wide. The needles are flattened, about 1.8 cm long, dark green above, covered with a bluish coating below, matte. The cones are small, about 2 cm, elongated, ovoid in shape.

Hemlock variegated

Tsuga diversifolia is native to the Far East. Under natural conditions it grows up to 25 m, the trunks are thin or medium thick, up to 80–100 cm in diameter. The bark is dark brown. Young shoots are slightly pubescent. The needles are flat, about 1.5 cm long, wider than those of other species, with a pronounced shine. The needles are slightly wrinkled, densely spaced, and have blunt tips. The cones are ovoid, small. This is a fairly winter-hardy and shade-tolerant species.

Himalayan hemlock

Tsuga dumosa is common in the Himalayas and grows on stony and rocky soils. It is found at an altitude of 2000–3500 m above sea level. The trunks reach 50 m. The bark is dark gray, young shoots are light brown, with light fluff. The branches are located almost at right angles to the trunks. The needles are long, up to 3 cm, very dense. The needles are wide, flat at the base, narrowed and slightly curved towards the tips, “stitched” with longitudinal grooves. On the front side they are rich green, on the back they are silver.

Western hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla is one of the tallest species, reaching 60–75 m. The trunks are up to 1.5–1.8 m thick. The bark is thick, grooved, and in mature trees it can peel off in small plates. The shoots are yellowish when young, but over the years they darken and turn brown. The lower branches are spaced almost horizontally. The crown is narrowly pin-shaped, with drooping ends of the shoots. The needles are flat, dark green, slightly jagged, with rounded tips. Compact cultivated varieties:

• Сonica. This is a dwarf variety up to 2.5–3 m in height.
• Argenteovariegata. A small tree with whitish shoots.

Examples in landscape design

Elfin cedar is an evergreen plant with exceptional decorative characteristics, while it requires almost no special care. Once planted, you can decorate your garden plot for many years.

Designers often use ephedra to design garden landscapes - dwarf elfin looks harmonious as part of rockeries, alpine slides or as green hedges.

It should be noted that among all other conifers, this plant produces the most phytoncides, which destroy all pathogenic microflora. That is why growing this plant will not only decorate your site, but will also create a favorable microclimate in the area.

See the video below for more information about dwarf cedar.

Caring for hemlock

The crop is intolerant to drought and needs regular watering during long dry periods, this is especially true for young seedlings. Moisture deficiency leads to stress, which is manifested by drooping branches and yellowing of needles.

In the absence of rain, young plantings are watered once a week, and also sprinkled with a hose at least once a month in the hot summer. It is advisable to loosen the soil only when it is heavily compacted and not deeper than 10 cm.

Although adult specimens are quite winter-hardy, the tips of annual shoots of young seedlings can be damaged by frost. To preserve their decorative appearance, it is recommended to organize a shelter made of spruce branches or agrofibre for the winter. A thick winter mulch of compost or spruce branches will protect the roots from severe frost and moisture evaporation during the snowless period.

If necessary, feed in the spring before the appearance of young shoots with mineral fertilizers intended for coniferous crops.

Propagation by seeds

Seeds can be purchased at a nursery, or you can use your own, obtained from cones that are collected in the fall and placed in a warm or sunny place to open. Before sowing, the seeds must undergo cold stratification, so the seed material is placed in the refrigerator for 8-10 weeks.

After time, the seeds are sown in a moist mixture of universal soil and peat (1:1) to a depth of 3-4 mm. For germination and further cultivation, constant moderate humidity of the substrate and diffused light are required.

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The seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place in August or next spring, while the seedlings require regular watering and shelter during the winter months for the first 3 years.

Propagation by cuttings

Cuttings are harvested at the end of summer from semi-lignified shoots of the current season. The bark should be green at the end and brown near the cut. To encourage successful rooting, dip the base of the cutting, free of needles, in a rooting hormone powder suitable for woody shrubs and trees.

Make sure the cut is completely coated with powder before planting it in the pot. Place the cutting in a pot with a drainage layer filled with a mixture of perlite or sand mixed with soil. Water well and place the pot in a transparent bag. Water the cuttings after the surface of the substrate dries slightly.

At the end of spring, young plants can be planted in the ground using the transshipment method.

Problems in growing

Proper care of hemlock reduces the risk of disease development. Potential problems are associated with fungal diseases that develop in conditions of high humidity, poor air circulation and waterlogging of the soil. Symptoms include yellowing and falling leaves, drying of the tips of young shoots.

The plant can also be affected by rust, which is characterized by rusty growths on cones and needles containing fungal spores.

Sick trees are repeatedly treated with fungicides; if possible, affected parts are removed and burned.

Among the insects you should be wary of are spider mites, aphids, scale insects and caterpillars.

Application in landscape design

This is one of the few representatives of conifers that feels great in the shade, so the plant can be planted next to shade-loving hostas, Rogers, wintergreen, ferns and other shade-loving ornamental crops.

The light openwork crown of this tree with branches bent to the ground looks impressive both in single plantings and surrounded by bright flower arrangements.

Miniature, groundcover varieties fit perfectly into the design of rockeries and alpine slides. The great need for moisture makes it possible to decorate reservoirs with conifers, creating natural decorative compositions, however, it is unsuitable for wetlands, since it does not tolerate waterlogging of the soil.

In addition, the slow growth of the tree can be an advantage for garden design, because it does not require constant pruning and retains its appearance almost unchanged for years.

Landing rules

Canadian hemlock should be planted at a certain time: in late spring or early autumn, when the weather is warm outside. The tree grows well in soil with an acidity of 6–7 pH. The soil should be moist and rich in nutrients. If there is a possibility of water stagnation on the site, then the place where the hemlock will grow must be drained.

To ensure that your efforts to grow a plant are not in vain, you should follow several rules:

1. Choosing a favorable landing site.
2. Proper planting of seedlings.
3. Proper tree care.

Choosing a location and seedling

When choosing seedlings, you need to pay attention to the following factors:

• height of planting material - no more than 0.5 m;
• condition - branches should be healthy, brightly colored;
• root system - roots not bunched together are suitable for planting in the ground, a homogeneous ball from the root system is good for a pot.

The place where the young tree should grow and gain strength should be chosen in the dark (so that the needles do not get “burned” in the spring) and closed from drafts. For the first few years, the plant should be protected from the influence of harsh air masses and polluted air. Under such conditions, it will develop poorly and may even get sick.

Step-by-step instruction

Planting a tree can be divided into several steps:

1. Digging a hole. The size of the recess should be twice the size of the root system.
2. Soil preparation. A drainage layer of 12 to 20 cm is placed at the bottom of the pit, and a soil mixture is placed on top (sand, turf and leaf soil in a ratio of 2:2:1). Instead of a soil mixture, you can use a combination of compost and soda soil in a 1:1 ratio.
3. Landing. The seedling is placed exactly in the middle of the hole and covered with previously extracted soil. The place on the tree where the root meets the trunk cannot be filled.
4. Watering. You need to pour a bucket of water under one seedling, after which the roots are sprinkled with wood chips or bark.

When growing coniferous crops, a gardener may encounter problems such as yellowing or falling needles. It is especially offensive to observe this process when breeding hemlocks, because they are grown solely for their decorative properties. The plant should be cared for by observing several requirements.

If such problems arise, the reasons may be:

• improper watering;
• erroneous feeding;
• illiterate pruning.

Watering and fertilizing

It is optimal to water once a week, 1 bucket per plant. Also, hemlock, like all coniferous plants, loves the process of “showering”, which must be done once a month. This is necessary provided that there is no precipitation for the next 4 weeks.

The soil in which the tree grows is fertilized for the first 2 years after planting with mixtures containing phosphorus. This must be done in mid-spring or autumn. You can also feed the plant with compost by diluting 150–200 g of fertilizer in a bucket of water.

Loosening and mulching

When growing hemlock, it is necessary to pay attention to such a process as mulching. Wood chips or bark are used for this.

A cover made of natural material ensures moisture retention and prevents the root system from overheating during the summer heat.

At the end of September or beginning of October, it is necessary to loosen the soil around the tree. Also mandatory when caring for this plant is the removal of weeds in the growing area, since they can transmit parasitic organisms to the coniferous tree.

How to trim

There are two types of plant pruning:

Given the slow growth of hemlock, its formative pruning is carried out rarely - no more than once every 3 years. The tree already has a decorative crown, so there is no need to put a lot of effort into forming it. Formative pruning is carried out in the autumn, and consists of destroying shoots that extend beyond the visual border of the composition or living fence. Sanitary pruning is carried out in early spring, before the hemlock releases its juices. It consists of removing dry or broken branches.

Planting process

Semi-shaded, windless, environmentally friendly places are suitable for growing. Fresh, moist, acidified, well-drained, fertile soil is optimal. The best time for planting is considered to be the first two weeks of May and August. The depth of the planting hole should be at least twice the length of the roots of the seedling. Optimal - at least 70 cm.

The landing pattern looks like this:

• To ensure good drainage, the bottom of the pit is covered with a 15 cm thick layer of sand. The sand is pre-washed and calcined.
• The hole is filled with a soil mixture of turf soil, leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1:2. Sometimes a mixture of compost and garden soil is used in a 1:1 ratio.
• A seedling with a lump of earth is lowered into the hole.
• The root system is sprinkled with soil, without touching the zone of transition of the roots into the trunk.
• The seedling is watered abundantly (about 10 liters of water for each hole) and the soil is mulched with gravel, bark or wood chips.

In the first 24 months, the seedlings are protected from the wind; they are unstable due to the poor development of the root system. Young plants are more sensitive to frost than their mature counterparts.

Hemlock Canadian jeddeloch description and care

Pine, spruce, and thuja are most often found in home gardens. But there is another ornamental plant that is characterized by good survival rate in the middle zone.

This is the Canadian hemlock Jeddeloh, also known as Tsuga canadensis Jeddeloh. The variety is characterized by high frost resistance and ease of care.

In order for a plant to delight with its beauty, it is necessary to become familiar with the intricacies of cultivation, planting and care.

Description

Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch is an evergreen shrub-type plant. Refers to decorative varieties.

Distributed in Canada and other areas of North America, found in mountain mixed forests. In European countries it began to be actively used since the 20th century.

It differs from conifers in characteristics by crown shape and size. Classification of Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch is a dwarf shrub.

It grows slowly, the annual growth is 5 cm. Only after 10 years can it reach half a meter in height. Hemlock begins to bear fruit at the age of 1 year.

An adult plant develops small, egg-shaped cones. The fruits are located on a short petiole, not exceeding 2 cm in length.

The ornamental crop grows quite slowly, reaching a height of 5 m and a diameter of 50 cm. It is propagated by grafting, seeds and cuttings.

Canadian hemlock serves as decoration for home gardens. Suitable for both large and small areas. In decorative terms, the Jeddeloch variety is considered universal.

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Looks good in group and single plantings, harmonizes in composition with other conifers. Often planted with deciduous plants.

Suitable for rock gardens, decorating borders and hedges, heather and rocky slides.

Interesting fact! The bark of the trunk contains up to 15% tannins. There is 3-5 times more ascorbic acid in pine needles than in oranges.

Winter hardiness, shade tolerance

The Jeddeloch variety is frost-resistant and tolerates low temperatures well. For this reason, it is popular among gardeners. In winter, shelter is required to protect against snow pressure. The plant does not tolerate dry and hot weather well. Cold and moisture, on the contrary, are optimal growing conditions.

Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch is a shade-loving crop. But it can easily be in partial shade and in the sun. In nature it grows in wet gorges and cold plains. Grows in humid climates, prefers windless areas. Therefore, it is necessary to grow in certain areas of the garden plot.

Features of planting and care

Well-drained fertile soil with a high content of nutrients and neutral acidity is suitable for planting Jeddeloch hemlock. It does not like limestone soil - it develops poorly on it and produces weak growth.

To create drainage, use a mixture of sawdust and sand in equal quantities. Planting is carried out in mid-spring - throughout the summer. The location is chosen according to the characteristics of the bush. Feels good near bodies of water.

Features of keeping and caring for Canadian hemlock:

1. It is necessary to constantly keep the soil moist, but not allow water to stagnate. During dry periods, additional watering will be required.
2. Doesn't like transplantation.
3. The root zone is mulched with organic material.
4. Reacts well to sprinkling along the crown.
5. Does not require pruning of shoots.
6. The root system extends parallel to the soil surface. This feature should be taken into account when creating combined compositions.
7. The shrub responds positively to additives that increase soil fertility. During the first time after planting, moderate feeding is required.

Planting and caring for Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch

Growing an ornamental plant is not particularly difficult. But first, you should read the description, reviews and care of the Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch.

Recommended timing

It is recommended to plant tsugacanadensis Jeddeloh, or simply hemlock, in the spring - from late April to mid-May, when the soil is warmed by the sun's rays. It is also permissible to plant from August to September, while there is still enough time before the cold weather.

Site selection and soil preparation

The site for Canadian hemlock must be selected in the shade; in bright sunlight, Jeddeloch grows worse, and the needles of the bush get burned. The soil on the site should be acidic and well-drained, moist, but without stagnant water

If there is groundwater nearby, then it is extremely important to arrange good drainage under the roots of the bush.

Important! A description of the Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch and its care states that it is better to plant the shrub away from the road, especially if the site is located near a highway or railway tracks. The plant is sensitive to air composition and does not develop well in polluted conditions.

Landing algorithm

On a site in open ground, Jeddeloh is planted according to a very simple algorithm:

First of all, you need to dig a planting hole at least 70 cm in depth, and in diameter 2 times the size of the seedling. At the bottom of the hole you need to pour coarse sand in a layer of about 15 cm; this will create good drainage for Canadian hemlock, which is especially important if the soil in the area is very wet and dries out slowly. An earth mixture consisting of sand, leaf soil and turf soil, taken in a 2:1:2 ratio, is poured over the drainage layer. You can also mix garden soil with compost in equal proportions; this soil is also suitable for shrubs. A seedling is lowered into a half-filled hole along with an old lump of earth, and then sprinkled with the remaining soil to the surface of the soil, making sure that the root collar remains open. Jeddeloch is watered abundantly, and then mulched near the trunk with large wood chips, bark or gravel; in this case, the moisture will evaporate more slowly.

Attention! If not one shrub is planted, but several at once, it is necessary to leave space between the seedlings - about 1.5 m.

Pests and diseases

Reviews of the Canadian hemlock Jeddeloh claim that it is not susceptible to diseases, especially if proper agricultural practices are followed. When grown on waterlogged soil, the plant may suffer from fungal diseases, in which case the tips of the young shoots of the shrub will begin to dry out, and the needles will turn yellow and begin to crumble. To cure the plant, you need to reduce the amount of watering and dry out the soil. It is very important to initially select the right site for Jeddeloch and organize good drainage.

Sometimes Canadian hemlock suffers from rust, in which case rusty growths appear on its needles, after which the bush begins to dry out and wither. Rust is fought with fungicides, and severely affected parts of the plant are removed.

Among the insects that are dangerous for Canadian hemlock are spider mites, scale insects, caterpillars and aphids. If insect larvae appear on the needles of a plant, it is necessary to treat the evergreen shrub with insecticidal agents, for example, Karbofos, Aktara and other substances.

Varieties and varieties

In total, there are about 60 ornamental varieties of Canadian hemlock. All of them are distinguished by small and neat cones, crown color and hanging branches. Such a tree only needs five days of light a year for normal development. It grows well in shade, moist and acidic soils, and tolerates severe frosts.

Among all the varieties, every gardener will find a plant to his liking. There are tall, creeping and dwarf trees.

Among all the species diversity of such trees, it is worth highlighting the following varieties of hemlock:

• Hemlock Coles Prostrate is an unusual weeping form. A groundcover and elegant plant with creeping branches, which are decorated with fresh golden needles every spring. At 10 years of age, this dwarf species is a small tree half a meter high with a crown 1 meter in diameter. This unique plant cannot be confused with anything; it does not resemble any creeping evergreen form. The needles do not change color all year round, and hemlock is tolerant of industrial emissions and the environment of a big city.
• Nana - suitable for decorating small gardens. This dwarf species usually reaches one meter in height, less often - two. It has a neat round crown, which can always be slightly adjusted using pruning shears. The needles are smooth and shiny, the color of the needles is dark green, young shoots are painted bright green. Thick branches look down. Nana tolerates winter cold well, loves shade and moist sandy or clay soil.
• Hemlock Pendula is a taller plant than other varieties, growing up to 4 meters in height and having a lush crown 2 to 4 meters wide. A feature of the Pendula species is considered to be the symmetrical shape of the crown, which is truly amazing. If you look closely at the tree, you will notice that its branches are arranged chaotically. The shiny needles grow densely and have a dark green color with a bluish tint.
• Ammerland - can serve as a real decoration for the site. Its bright green young needles and branch tips stand out noticeably against the dark background of the rest of the needles. The height of such a tree does not exceed 100 centimeters. The branches give the crown (mushroom) an unusual shape. In young plants they grow in a horizontal position, while in adults they are located along the trunk and slope downwards. Prefers moist and nutritious soils. Does not tolerate direct sunlight, drafts and winds.
• Gentsch White - this dwarf plant has the appearance of a bush up to one and a half meters high. Gardeners liked it due to the unusual creamy-pink color of the young shoots, which stand out against the warm green needles. The tree looks especially bright in autumn and winter. It has a dense, oval crown, which is recommended to be trimmed periodically so that fresh shoots grow more often.
• Canadian hemlock Jeddeloch is a unique representative of conifers. This dwarf tree has a dense, round crown. Due to its low growth, it is most often used to create low hedges or decorate borders. This specimen has delicate and long needles of light green color. Jeddeloh grows slowly, in 10 years it stretches only half a meter in height. It does not have strict climate requirements, but it is still better to grow it in windless corners of the site.

Varieties of Canadian hemlock

Canadian hemlock is the only representative of the genus with a large number of cultivars. The decorative natural form of the tree with soft fluffy needles and drooping branches formed the basis of dwarf varieties, medium-sized trees with a weeping crown and creeping varieties. Canadian hemlock has more than 60 varieties; below is a general overview of the most popular cultivars in Europe and Russia.

Jeddeloh

A miniature plant that forms a very short trunk, so visually the variety looks like a shrub. The shape is round, the crown is lower than the last branches, forms a depression in the form of a wide funnel, reminiscent of a bird's nest.

The height and width of the Canadian hemlock variety are directly proportional, the parameters of an adult tree are 0.5 m. The needles are dark green, thick, the tops are light olive in color. The cultivar grows very slowly and tolerates shade. Reacts poorly to low air humidity.

Jervis

Round, without a clear shape, very compact tree. Jervis is classified as a dwarf variety, the maximum height of an adult seedling does not exceed 0.3 m, the crown diameter is 2 times larger.

The needles are soft, densely growing, dark green. The shoots of the current season are bright green and numerous. The cultivar produces few cones, and then only after 15 years of growing season; they are conical, brown, up to 2.5 cm long.

Important! The shade tolerance of the Jervis variety is average; it grows only on neutral or slightly alkaline soils.

Stockman Dwarf

The variety is low-growing - 50-100 cm, creeping in shape, branched bush, with numerous small cones of a brown tint.

The needles are short, flat, rather wide, with rounded tips, densely growing. Dwarf hemlock is suitable for growing on the plot and in flower volumes. Stockman Dwarf is characterized by high shade tolerance and frost resistance. Reacts poorly to transplantation.

Minute

A spherical dwarf tree (20x20 cm) on a short trunk, the lower branches lie on the ground surface.

Canadian hemlock Minute forms a compact, dense crown of regular spherical shape. The annual growth is insignificant (within 4 mm). The needles are glossy, rich green, the shoots are a shade lighter. Frost resistance is high up to -30 0C. The culture is used for landscaping rock gardens.

Nana

A dwarf variety of Canadian hemlock with horizontally growing branches and drooping tops. Grows up to 1 m, the width is 2 times greater.

The cultivar is ideal for creating a hedge. The crown is dense, dense with numerous shiny needles of bright green color. The cones are small, spindle-shaped, dark brown, and are formed in small quantities. The variety is winter-hardy, shade-tolerant, and low drought resistance.

Hussii

One of the popular semi-dwarf cultivars. It is difficult to determine clear boundaries of the crown.

The tree is dense, branched, the lower circle of branches may be shorter than the upper ones, the tree is closer to a rounded shape. The maximum size is 2.5 m. The growth is insignificant, by the age of 8 the variety barely reaches 90 cm, the width at any age is 1/2 of the height. The needles are soft, thick, dark, contrasting with the bright young shoots. The plant does not lose its decorative appearance in the shade and is characterized by high winter hardiness.

Pendula

Canadian hemlock Pendula has a weeping form and includes several more subspecies, varying in size and color of needles.

This is a very beautiful ornamental tree with a dense drooping crown and the absence of skeletal branches, thin graceful shoots. The plant is often used as a scion for taller conifers. As an independent hemlock tree, Canadian Pendula can reach 1.5 m. It is a very dense tree with small green needles with a delicate blue tint. The plant prefers partial shade and has high frost resistance.

Cole

The Cole cultivar is known under different names: Cole's Prostrate, Cole's Prostrate, Cole. Canadian hemlock Coles Prostrate is classified as an elite variety of weeping form.

A unique ground cover plant grows up to 0.8 m in height, branches extend up to 1.5 m. The needles are narrow, elongated, and dense. The peak of ornamental beauty of Canadian hemlock Cole s Prostrate occurs at the beginning of summer, when young light green shoots appear. The plant is a good option for a rock garden with an artificial pond. Hemlock does not tolerate low air humidity and grows in the shade and in open areas.

Mall

The habit is weeping, the branches are of different lengths, spread out, growing in different directions. Externally, the tree resembles a shrub up to 2-2.5 m wide. The height does not exceed 1.5 m.

The growth is about 5 cm. The plant responds equally well to shade and sun, and is highly frost-resistant.

Gentsch White

The cultivar is popular among landscape designers due to its unusual color. During the period of formation of silvery young shoots, green needles look as if covered with frost.

Gentsch White is classified as a dwarf variety. The tree grows up to 60 cm in height, the length of outstretched branches is 115 cm. The tree requires pruning and does not tolerate direct sunlight.

Macrophylla

Hemlock Canadian Macrophylla is a slender tree with a regular wide-pyramidal crown. The peculiarity of the cultivar is the presence of short branches at the top, growing in different directions, which resemble a fountain.

Among the varieties of Canadian hemlock, Macrophila is classified as large-sized; the tree can grow up to 15 m.

Attention! At a young age, the tree does not tolerate drafts well, so protection is necessary.

Grows in neutral soils, requiring sprinkling in dry weather.

Compacta

Canadian hemlock Compacta remains decorative only in a shaded area. In the sun, the needles turn yellow and fall off, completely exposing the branches. The trunk of the tree is short, it seems that the branches are formed from the root.

The tree has the appearance of a shrub with randomly located stems and a flat crown. The tops of the branches are drooping, the needles are light green with a blue tint, small, flat. The growth of the variety is insignificant, the maximum height is 0.5 m, the diameter is 3 times larger.

Fastigiata

The Canadian hemlock variety Fastigiata grows up to 2 m and is distinguished by its wide pyramidal, semi-weeping shape. The needles are small, densely arranged, light green.

The plant is not demanding on the composition of the soil and has high frost resistance. With periodic sprinkling it can grow in an open area.

Young Con

Canadian hemlock Young Con is a dwarf cultivar with an extraordinary shape, presented in the form of a bouquet of spreading branches collected in a bunch.

The needles are long with a silvery tint. The height of the crop is within 1 meter. The annual growth of the tree is not bad - 10-17 cm. The variety responds well to pruning and shaping. Does not tolerate soil drying out.

Iceberg

Iceberg is a rare variety of Canadian hemlock with a round pyramidal shape. The tree is low, up to 1.5 m, with horizontally growing branches. The diameter is 2.5 times the height.

The crown is loose, the needles grow densely, the color is light green. Young shoots are white, drooping. The culture is shade-tolerant, undemanding to the soil. It grows slowly, the natural form is decorative, so no shaping is required.