Thuya species and varieties. Western thuja: winter-hardy varieties of thuja cone-shaped two meters high

This article will consider the types of thuja - an evergreen shrub that is easy to form, their names and descriptions are given. For better clarity, we have prepared for you a photo gallery of popular varieties.

Thuja is a magnificent tree that does not require special care in the winter season. In past centuries, the plant was called the “tree of life” (many diseases were treated with its cones and needles, and the bark was used to brew tea), but even today the fragrant needles of the plant cannot leave anyone indifferent. A small thuja garden or park is an excellent place to relax and rejuvenate.

Description

Thuja is the closest relative of cypress. The height of the trunk of this tree or shrub can reach eighty meters, but varieties with an average length of 10-20 meters are more popular.

The needles of the culture are needle-shaped, green. In adult plants, a darker shade, similar to scales. The crown is dense.

In nature, thuja are found in the eastern regions of North America. Decoratively bred forms can be found on household plots of the middle lane.

Varieties

Thuja western

There are five types of tui:

Thuja western. Plant height up to 20 m. Needles in the form of scales.
Thuja chinensis. Trees with dense pyramidal crown. Height up to 12 m.
Thuja Korean. This variety is rarely planted in the middle lane due to the capriciousness of the plant to the temperature regime. It has the appearance of a creeping shrub. In the natural environment, the height of the culture can reach 8 m.
Thuja Japanese, or Thuya Standish. An excellent option for planting in a summer cottage - the plant is not whimsical to care for and can withstand severe frosts.
Thuja folded, or Thuja giant. Under natural conditions, thuja of this variety can reach 40 m in height. The height of decorative forms is 4 m. The crown is pyramidal, dense.

Features of planting and care

When planting a thuja on a site, it should be borne in mind that the plant is photophilous, but being in the sun all day, it can become dehydrated and get sick in the winter.

The soil is preferably soddy, with the addition of sand. The best time to plant is spring. Then it is recommended to feed the thuja. As fertilizers, it is better to give preference to complex fertilizers.

Watering the shrub is carried out immediately after planting, then 1 time per week.

The depth of the landing pit is 60-80 cm. The distance between group plantings is up to 5 m.

Drying out of the soil is not allowed! Young thuja seedlings are sheltered for the winter (they usually do this for the first 3 years). Adult thujas are winter-hardy.

Application in landscape design

A huge variety of forms brought thuja fame among landscape designers.

And it was they who divided these plants by application: the first includes dwarf or shrub species used to create like rockeries; to the second - thuja of medium length, their place of application is "hedge"; the third type of single or solitary planting is taller trees that emphasize design elements. The following types of trees have been used as an element of a hedge.

Brabant

Variety Brabant or Western thuja. It is characterized by good tolerance to low temperatures and a branched crown, creating an irresistible hedge. Pruning should be done in early spring and late summer, the best months being August and April.

Thuja occidentalis is a fast growing plant reaching up to four meters in height.

When planting, to create a hedge, Brabant is planted at a distance of fifty or one hundred centimeters between the trunks, depending on the desired density of the "hedge".

Emerald

Forms a narrow cone-like crown, growing up to six seven meters in height. This plant is highly resistant to frost and strong gusts of wind.

Thanks to its crown, "smaragd" is perfect for creating a "hedge" as well as a solitary planting.

A group of plants of this variety can create a memorable part of the landscape.

Holmstrap

Another type of western thuja is the Holmstrap variety. A feature is its slow growth, it will reach a height of two meters only ten years after landing.

It is used as a small decorative hedge, seedlings are planted in such a way that there is a distance of at least 75 centimeters between the bushes.

Holmstrap is not seasonally pruned.

rock garden

Variety Dannika

To create a rock garden or rockery, such thujas are suitable:

Variety Dannika. Its spherical crown grows very slowly, reaching a height of about one meter, while its width is 50 centimeters. This type of thuja will look great in small gardens and plots, as a decorative element of a rock garden that does not require special care.
Little Dorrit. It also looks like a ball, the size of the crown is 80 * 60 centimeters. It is distinguished by good frost resistance. Planting sites are similar to Holmstrap thuja.
Hoserie. A spherical shrub reaching a height of fifty centimeters and a width of sixty centimeters. Designers prefer to use this variety as an element of low decorative hedges and rock gardens.

Rheingold

Tui used for single planting or group consisting of free-standing trees:

Rheingold. It grows slowly. Its maximum height is one and a half meters. But it is distinguished by a spherical crown, which has a golden yellow and even brown color. Tui of this species are indispensable for solitary planting and creating a group of plants.
Sunkist. The crown of this tree has the appearance of a cone and a rare golden yellowish color. Within 10 years, it grows up to three meters and reaches a meter wide crown. Pruning to shape this type of thuja is not required.
Folded thuja Kornik. Very quickly reaches a height of 300 centimeters, the width of the tree is 150 centimeters. This tree is best planted in moist places on fertile soil. This plant with its bright green needles attracts the eye.

The use of arborvitae as an element of decorative design is justified by the beauty of this tree, especially during the winter months, as well as the unique aroma of needles and the variety of species that can be used in all types of landscape design. The plant itself improves the microclimate of the site, plays the role of protection from wind and dust.

How conifers are used in landscape design, including thuja, see the following video:

It is hard to even imagine that this fluffy and already familiar tree in parks and on plots is not found in the wild nature of our lands. Thuja came to us from the southeastern part of Canada and the northern part of the United States several centuries ago. Under natural conditions, in its homeland, the thuja grows up to 20 meters, in our latitudes it is more customary to see it about 10 meters high.

Flowerbed with thujas. © Karl Gercens Content:

Description of thuja

Thuja is a coniferous plant from the Cypress family, which can be a tree or shrub with flat shoots. There are five types of tui:

Thuja western, or life tree ( Thuja occidentalis);
Thuja Sichuan, or Thuja chinensis (Thuja sutchuenensis);
Thuja Korean (Thuja koraiensis);
Thuja Japanese, or Thuya Standish (Thuja standishii);
Thuja folded, or Thuja giant (Thuja plicata).

All types of thuja are evergreen with a dense crown, and the needles tolerate cold and air pollution well. Therefore, they are ideal for the improvement of cities in temperate latitudes. Thuja wood contains aromatic essential oils that give the plant a pleasant smell. In our cold latitudes, various varieties of western thuja grow well and tolerate winters.

Thuja western- an evergreen coniferous tree from the Cypress family ( Cupressaceae), of the genus Thuya, naturally occurring in the eastern regions of North America.

Due to the large number of highly decorative artificially bred forms, winter hardiness, durability and resistance to urban conditions, western thuja is very widespread in ornamental gardening on all continents in many climatic zones.

Planting thuja

If you decide to plant a thuja in the garden, then choose a site where the sun will not be all day. Due to constant direct sunlight, the plant can become dehydrated or get sick in winter from frost. Soddy soil is better suited, with the addition of peat and sand. Without any problems, thuja will grow in any other soil - in a swamp, clay, sandy loam.

When group planting thuja, it is necessary to maintain the correct distance between the trees, it can vary from 1 to 5 meters, namely, when planting a single-row hedge of 1 m, with a two-row hedge - up to 2 m, and when planting large types of thuja in the alley up to 5 m. It should not be forgotten that the trees will grow not only in height, but also in width. Planting depth - 60-80 cm. It is desirable to plant thuja in the spring, although at any time of the year the thuja tolerates planting well with the right actions of the gardener.

Thuja is grown outdoors: in open ground or in a pot, in single and group plantings, in hedges, windbreaks, if possible in a cool and humid microclimate. Usually these plants are planted in a permanent place in November or March. They prefer deep and slightly moist but well-drained soils.

For hedges, thuja is planted, keeping a distance of 60-70 centimeters between plants. Growing thuja in pots or flower beds, use a substrate of peat and fertile land with the addition of organic fertilizers in the amount of 30-50 grams per bucket of soil. From the second year of life, liquid fertilizing with mineral fertilizers is practiced.

Living wall of thuja. © Ivo M. Vermeulen

Tui cultivation

Thuja can grow both in a sunny place and in partial shade, but in full shade its crown thins. Any soil is suitable: peaty, clay, dry sandy loam, the main thing is that it be well permeable. On heavy, damp soils, drainage is done with a layer of 15–20 cm; in swamps, pipes are laid in trenches.

When buying and transplanting plants, pay attention to the fact that the earthen ball around the roots of the thuja is preserved. Young plants tolerate transplanting more easily. Planting pits should be 60–80 cm deep, depending on the size of the earth clod, the height and diameter of the plant crown. They are covered with a mixture of soddy or leafy soil, peat and sand (2: 1: 1) with the addition (during planting) of 50–100 g of nitroammophoska for each adult plant. The root collar should be at ground level.

When planting plants in groups, they maintain a distance of 3 to 5 m between them, focusing on the size of future trees. In the alleys, thujas are usually planted 4 meters from one another.

Feed the plants in the spring. Usually, complex fertilizers are used for this, for example, Kemiru-universal, at the rate of 50–60 g / m². If a complete mineral fertilizer was applied during planting, the first top dressing is carried out only after two years.

The lush thuja needles evaporate a lot of moisture, so the soil should not be allowed to dry out, including in autumn. In the first month after planting, it is watered once a week (10–50 liters per seedling, depending on its size), in addition, the crown must be irrigated. Thanks to sprinkling, dust is not simply washed off: the stomata of the leaves open, it becomes easier for the plant to breathe and, accordingly, all physiological processes proceed more intensively.

During the growing season, the soil is loosened to a depth of 8–10 cm (thuja has a superficial root system). It is advisable to mulch the trunk circles - with peat, wood chips, bark, compost. This will protect the roots from overheating and drying out in summer and from rapid freezing in winter.

The first three to four years, the plants are covered to avoid winter and spring sunburn. Adult thujas are quite winter-hardy. However, it is advisable to pull the branches of tall trees slightly with twine so that their crowns do not break under the weight of wet snow.

Tui. © Danny Flanders

Tui reproduction

Thuja can be propagated by seeds and vegetatively. Seed propagation is acceptable only for thuja species, but not for forms and varieties (decorative qualities will be lost). In addition, this is a laborious and long process: it will take three to five years to grow a seedling. Seeds must be freshly harvested. They are subjected to natural stratification, leaving them under the snow since autumn.

In spring, they are sown on ridges, deepening only 0.5 cm, lightly sprinkled with coniferous sawdust. Thuja shoots are covered from the sun with shields, the soil is kept loose and moist. Feed with a weak solution of slurry (1:20).

More often, the western thuja and its forms are propagated by lignified cuttings (using 2–3-year-old shoots 25–40 cm long) and semi-lignified (the growth of the current year is 10–20 cm long, cut in June). The cuttings are cut off so that on the basis of the shoot there is a small piece of old wood - the “heel”. In this case, the cuttings take root better.

They are treated with a solution of heteroauxin and placed in a greenhouse. The soil is prepared from a mixture of river sand with peat and sod land (in a ratio of 1:1:1), disinfected with potassium permanganate. The planting depth of the cutting is from 1.5 to 2.5 cm.

In a greenhouse, it is very important to maintain high humidity without overwetting the substrate, so spraying is more desirable than watering. Rooted cuttings air, harden. In November, they are insulated with leaves, sawdust or spruce spruce branches, when frost sets in (-5 ..-7 ° C) they are additionally covered with a film.

Diseases and pests of thuja

Diseases are caused by dangerous pathogens: fungi of the genus Fusarium, cytospore, foma and others. They affect crowns, shoots, needles. Shutte thuja brown damages only needles. To combat fungal diseases, Bordeaux liquid or cartocid is used. Trees are treated starting in spring, at intervals of two weeks, until they fully recover.

Of the pests, the most dangerous are thuja aphid and thuja false shield. Needles damaged by aphids turn yellow and fall off. To get rid of it, the plant is sprayed several times with karbofos, rogor or decis. No less harm is caused by thuja false shield, found on needles and twigs. Before bud break, plants are sprayed with karbofos, at the end of June they are treated twice with Actellik, Rogor or Chlorophos (with an interval of one and a half to two weeks).

Thuja will perfectly decorate your garden! This beautiful coniferous tree, in addition, has a very pleasant smell!

Thuja is an evergreen plant from the cypress family, which can develop for fifty or even a hundred years. Almost all types of thuja are winter-hardy. Many varieties surprise with their color palette, for example, you can find thujas of both blue and yellowish hues. Some are shrubs, while others rush up to three meters. There are even those that grow close to the ground, in the form of small lush balls, they are called dwarf trees. All species are similar to each other, and at the same time unique. Instructions for growing cotoneaster here:

Thuja, description and characteristics

Thuja feels comfortable both in wet space and in dry soil. The structure of the branches and needles of the tree resembles a thick cobweb. Juicy needles are directed vertically upwards, some "paws" are a scaly structure.

It is worth noting the fact that the state of the "jewelry" needles can be used to judge the health of the tree. If the needles are juicy, full of moisture and matches the color of the crown of the tree, then the plant is healthy, but if the branches are dry and have an unusual yellowish, and sometimes brownish tint, then most likely the plant lacks moisture or minerals.

Thuja is a plant that must be protected by the wind without fail. The first few years, young trees require shelter for the winter.

When growing thuja at home, it is necessary to give special importance to the container in which the thuja grows. With each new transplant, the pot should increase one and a half times.

Thuja has many useful properties. For example, from the cones of some varieties, you can make decoctions that relieve headaches. Tree needles can also be brewed, teas of this kind can affect the psychological state of a person. So, tea from thuja needles has a calming effect.

Types and varieties of thuja with a photo

Today, the following varieties of garden cultivated arborvitae are presented on the market of garden plants in Russia:

Varieties of folded tui:
Western thuja varieties:
- thuja occidentalis golden globe
- thuja western columna
- thuja western teddy
- thuja western globosa
- thuja occidentalis holmstrup
- thuja occidentalis yellow ribbon
- thuja occidentalis golden taffet
- thuja western aureospicata
- thuja western miki
"geometric" varieties of thuja:
and others:
- thuja orientalis aurea nana
- thuja heather
- thuja sunkist
- thuja reingold
- thuja woodwardy
- golden thuja
- thuja khozeri
- thuja wagner
- thuja spiralis
- dwarf thuja
- thuja teeny team
- thuja filiformis
- thuja blue
- thuja little giant
- thuja fastigiata
- thuja cancan
- thuja europa gold
- thuja miriam
- thuja little champion
- thuja little jam
- thuya edas 801 - an excellent remedy for adenoids

Even the most sophisticated gardener will be able to choose for himself exactly the variety that will delight him for many years. Read more and what are the varieties.

Photo of thuja in landscape design

Thanks to the chic variety of species and varieties, thuja will fit perfectly into the design of any space.

For example, landscape designers use thuja as a hedge, use it to frame compositions, to give life to a stone garden, and also to create alpine slides.

Variations of design solutions using thuja are so diverse that it will be difficult to describe even half.

The price of seedlings and seeds of thuja

Thuja is an integral resident of garden plots. Its diversity is so great that you can choose a copy that is ideal for any composition, from a garden near a private house to flowerbed areas near the administration. The cost of seedlings, cuttings and seeds varies depending on the variety and degree of development. An adult grown plant will cost several times more than a young seedling. If we talk about the general price category for seeds, then this range is from 150 to 700 rubles. When it comes to seedlings and cuttings, the cost of one copy can reach 25 thousand rubles.

Where to buy thuja?

We invite you to get to know this plant better.

species affiliation

Thuja belongs to a large cypress family and is one of the brightest representatives of the thuja subfamily. In total, five species of this plant are distinguished, which grow in different parts of the world, mainly in North America, Japan, Korea and China. We are talking about thuja western, giant, eastern, Korean and, accordingly, Japanese.

They are found in the form of trees and shrubs. A characteristic feature of the species is flat branches, on which needles are placed, resembling scales in their shape. If the plant is young, then the needles have the outlines of needles.

The fruits of the thuja ripen closer to autumn and are small, slightly oblong cones, covered with 3-6 pairs of small scales. Seeds are hidden under them, also oblong and strongly flattened, almost flat. With their help, the plant reproduces, although cuttings and grafting are also acceptable.

In the conditions of the climate of central Russia, the western thuja, which is able to withstand the temperature drop characteristic of this zone, is most widely used.

Thuja western: varietal features and varieties

There are both trees growing to a height of up to 20 meters and shrubs. The latter are distinguished by a bright crown, repeating the outlines of a pyramid, and compact branches densely covered with needles. Usually in the summer, most of the western thuja have a green color, and in the winter, its needles acquire a brownish tint. The “life span” of needles is usually three to five years, then it falls off.

Young shoots of the arborvitae are usually red-brown in color, while the trunk of adult arborvitae becomes discolored and approaches a grayish-brown color.

The plant has a compact, fibrous root system. For this reason, thuja adequately responds to transplants.

Thuja western belongs to species that are slowly gaining height. This plant is not picky about growing conditions:

It optimally tolerates frosts, even if it grows in the northern latitudes of the European part of Russia;
Retains decorative qualities at high humidity or, conversely, lack of moisture;
Can grow in the shade;
It tolerates any soil, but develops especially well on loamy, sandy and sandy soils;
It optimally tolerates the effects of harmful components that enter the air along with exhaust from cars and industrial emissions.

The plant belongs to the category of "centenarians", since some specimens can grow for 100 years or more.

This variety is especially popular among landscape designers, which is explained by the huge choice of its decorative forms.

Decorative types of thuja

Young species with soft needles.

Heather - characterized by slow growth, has a crown, shaped like a cone or an egg. Its size can reach up to 2-4 meters, both in height and in girth. Needles in the form of short needles, in the summer it turns bluish-green, and in the winter it changes shade to bronze.

Golden Tuffet - a hybrid dwarf variety, has an oval-shaped crown, which can reach up to 60 cm in height and up to 80 cm in diameter. The needles are in the form of short needles, in summer its shade tends to yellow, in winter it approaches copper.

Mr. Bowling Ball is a low-growing plant that stands out against the background of other varieties with a dense crown resembling the outlines of a ball. The total height of the tree can be 90 cm, the same indicator in volume. The needles repeat the shape of the scales, its color changes from emerald green to green with a touch of bronze in winter.

Filiformis - the plant belongs to the category of slow-growing, has a wide crown with a "cone", reaches a height of one and a half meters. The branches are very thin, fragile, the needles are in the form of scales, green all year round.

Teddy is an ornamental variety with a spherical crown, which can be 30 cm in circumference. The trunk is densely covered with thin shoots, the needles have the outlines of needles, during the growing season its shade is green, closer to winter the color changes to reddish.

Mature plants with needles in the form of scales.

1. Columnar varieties:

Aurescens - very quickly gaining height, in 10 years the plant can exceed 2.5 meters, characterized by shoots of a golden hue.
Brabant - quickly grows, can reach 20 meters in height and 5-6 meters in diameter, the needles remain light green throughout the year.
Columna - belongs to shrubs, grows slowly, reaching a height of no more than 8 meters. The crown in girth is up to 4 meters. The branches are covered with dark green needles, with the approach of cold weather, its color is preserved.

2. Pyramidal varieties:

Europe Gold is a dwarf form of thuja, characterized by slow growth, over its entire lifespan it can stretch no more than 4 meters in height and up to one and a half meters in diameter. The needles are golden yellow, but as the tree matures, it may turn green.
Holmstrup - the variety grows very slowly, reaching a maximum of 4 meters in height, the crown in girth does not exceed 1.5 meters. It looks elegant due to the dense arrangement of needles, in color they are dark green all year round.
Miki is a dwarf tree, which stands out for its voluminous and dense crown, grows up to a meter high. The needles of an interesting twisted shape, in the warm period of an emerald green hue, but with the approach of cold weather, change color to reddish with a bronze tint.
Reingold is an interesting variety that changes the shape of the crown from spherical to cone-shaped during its life. It grows up to one and a half meters, the same indicator is typical for the diameter of the crown. The branches are covered with needles in the form of scales and needles, in summer it is painted in golden yellow, in winter it changes shade to brown. Young shoots are pink.
Smaragd is a slow-growing species, reaching 8 meters in height and 2 meters in crown girth. Shoots of deep green color, they keep this color throughout the year.
Spiralis - this type of thuja got its name due to the shape of the needles, which resembles a spiral. They can grow up to 3 meters in height. The color of the shoots is a bright dark green hue, it persists even in the cold season.
Sunkist - the shape of the crown is conical, reaches a height of up to 5 meters, a width of up to 2x. The color of the needles is iridescent golden, in winter the shoots are covered with bronze.
Wagneri is an interesting variety that has an egg-shaped crown or tends to be cone-shaped. The maximum plant height is up to 3 meters. The needles are quite thin, hang down a little, its shade can vary from thick green to greenish with a gray tint, the color turns red in winter.
Yellow Ribbon is a variety with a spectacular crown, reaching a height of 3-4 meters and a diameter of 2 meters. The color of the needles is bright yellow, closer to the cold, it fades slightly.

3. Globular grades:

Danica - belongs to the category of shrubs, grows slowly, can reach a height of up to 80 cm, the maximum diameter is up to a meter. The needles are located very densely, elastic, in the warm period its color is saturated green, with the approach of cold weather, the shoots acquire a shade of bronze.
Globoza is a kind of thuja that has a spectacular crown and reaches a height of about 1.5 meters. The diameter of the plant is also 1.5 meters in girth. The “highlight” of the variety is the change of color depending on the season: in spring the needles are emerald, in summer a deep green hue, and with the onset of autumn it becomes dull green or brown.
Golden Globe is a variety of undersized thuja, which can stretch up to a maximum of one and a half meters for the entire period of life. The needles on the branches are very dense, have a bright green tint in summer, but change color to orange by winter.
Hozeri - the size of the crown does not exceed 80 cm in height and width, in the warm periods of the year the needles are colored green, in winter its color is enriched with a bronze tint.
Hoveyi is a miniature variety with an egg-shaped crown, in 10 years it can grow up to a maximum of one and a half meters. The needles retain their light green hue throughout the year.
Stolvik is a very spectacular variety, which fell in love with the shape of the crown, it is thicker below than at the top. Grows up to 2 meters. Young shoots turn yellow, with time they turn green.
Woodwardy is an ornamental variety that grows no more than 1.7 meters. The branches are densely covered with green needles that retain their color throughout the year.
Tiny Tim is another undersized variety of shrubby thuja, growing up to a meter in height and not exceeding one and a half meters in diameter. In summer, the needles turn green, in winter it becomes bronze.
Little Champion is a spectacular undersized variety of thuja, in which the crown grows to a height of no more than one and a half meters. The needles remain green throughout the year, but with the approach of cold weather it becomes brown.
Rekurva Nana is a miniature species of thuja that grows up to 2.5 meters in height. The shape of the needles resembles a slightly twisted spiral, its color is green, but closer to winter it changes to brown.
Miriyam is a hybrid variety, which is distinguished by a spectacular crown shape, reaching a diameter of 80 cm. The plant is densely strewn with needles, in summer its shade approaches golden yellow, and with the advent of frost it becomes even brighter - orange.

4. Weeping varieties:

Pendula is an interesting variety in which the branches are slightly bent and the crown is disproportionate. The color of the needles is green all year round with a slight shade of blue.
Umbrakulifera is a spectacular dwarf variety that grows up to one and a half meters. It features a rounded crown shape, which at the top turns into a kind of umbrella. The needles are also very interesting: it is short, straight, slightly flattened at the tip, sagging a little. Its shade is stable throughout the year - rich green with a slight touch of blue hoarfrost.

Tui landing rules

When choosing a landing site, you should focus on the color of the crown. So, if the needles are represented by all shades of yellow or change their color, then it should be planted in a well-lit area. Plants with a crown of green color are universal, therefore they tolerate both the sun's rays equally well, and they behave well in shaded areas.

It is necessary, however, to beware, because plants drowning in the sun often die due to temperature fluctuations, can get severe burns from the bright sun in spring and winter, and also suffer greatly from frost, which can dry them out. It is optimal if you land the thuja in places well sheltered from the wind.

In order for the plant to develop well, it will be necessary to maintain a certain distance between the trees. Planting density is determined by the type of thuja and the width of the crown. So, hedges are recommended to be made at a distance of at least 50 cm from each other. If we use a compositional planting scheme, then the following formula will help you choose the optimal row spacing: add the crown diameter of two adult plants standing side by side and divide the resulting value by 2. So you determine the distance between the thuja trunks.

The root neck does not need to be deeply buried, it should be flush with the surface.
Since the soil will sag over time so that the plant does not die, the root system, together with an earthen clod, is placed above the surface, making a small hill up to 10 cm high. This requirement is critical, especially if we are working with a large size.
It is optimal to use the soil of the following composition: two parts of the earth, one part of peat and the same amount of sand. It is permissible to use mineral top dressing when planting (only in spring or summer!).
On waterlogged soils, the plant will quickly die; to avoid this, drainage will be required.

The plant is extremely unpretentious, requiring no effort to care for. If at the time of planting in the ground you used fertilizer, then its re-application will be required only after 2 years. Top dressing should be chosen, focusing on the condition of the plant, a universal option is a complex fertilizer.

Watering rules:

During the first month after transferring the plant to a new place, watering should be frequent, about once a week, the volume of water should be up to 10-12 liters per tree (be guided by the size, large-sized trees will need more moisture).
In summer, when dry weather sets in, the frequency of watering is increased up to 2 times a week, while using a double volume of water - up to 20-24 liters per plant.
Young plants require especially careful and plentiful watering.

Despite the versatility of the arborvitae, most varieties of this tree prefer well-moistened soils. The lack of moisture immediately affects their decorative qualities, it can be expressed in a thinning crown, fading color.

With the onset of the growing season, the old dried shoots must be cut off, shaking the branches to free them from the needles. Plants are cut as needed, while it is permissible to cut off no more than a third of the shoot.

If the plant is planted recently, then it should be covered in the first and second winter. For this, ordinary burlap or kraft paper is suitable, they will protect the crown from burns.

Plant diseases

Thuja has also earned popular recognition due to the fact that it is extremely rarely exposed to diseases. But if the plant is poorly cared for, it develops in inappropriate conditions, then its “immunity” weakens. Among the possible pests on the thuja, there may be a spider mite, thuja aphid, slugs, snails and other small pests. Fight them with standard methods, using special insecticides. Typical diseases of thuja are drying of shoots, brown shyutte and some others. The plant is also treated with special preparations.

Why is thuja useful?

Together with the decorative qualities of thuja, it is known as a medicinal plant, the needles of which contain unique substances - phytoncides. They have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system, help relieve the symptoms of colds, bronchitis, tuberculosis. Often, thuja needles are used to prepare infusions aimed at cleansing the biliary tract, removing stones from the bile ducts. Well, it helps with diseases of the liver, kidneys. Apply infusions of thuja and externally. For example, a bath with an extract of the needles of this plant perfectly relaxes, relieves fatigue, relieves headaches and muscle pain, helps to quickly eliminate the effects of skin infections, and heal burns.

Despite the healing composition, there are certain substances in the thuja needles that act on the human body as poisons. Therefore, the use of tinctures, oils of this plant is recommended only after consultation with a specialist and in moderation. Thuja is not recommended for knitting bath brooms, as it can cause uncontrolled skin reactions (allergies, irritations).

This article will help you find out what types of thuja exist, the names of the main varieties suitable for cultivation. Their decorative properties are also described, ways to include them in landscape design, the topic of which thuja is best suited for hedges is considered.

Thuja use in landscape design (photo)

Thuja (Thuja) belongs to the evergreen coniferous trees (shrubs) of the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It has a dense crown. Scale-shaped coniferous needles have a characteristic odor. Flowers and cones cannot be immediately seen, some types of thuja do not form them at all. Thuja in the garden will be an indispensable decoration. She feels favorably after a haircut, including a curly one used to give the plant interesting shapes.

Thuja western (Thuja occidentalis)

This type of thuja is widespread among gardeners. It includes varieties suitable for garden and park plantings in the European part of Russia, where it winters well.

The variety came to us from North America. It was bred as an ornamental culture back in the 16th century, and later brought to Europe. At home, this culture is referred to as the "American tree of life", as well as the "pencil tree". The softness of its wood has been used to make pencils. And the Indians used thuja trunks to build canoes, as this tree resists decay.

Among the varieties of this species, Brabant, Smaragd, Dannika, Wagneri, Golden Globe, Holmstrup, Hoseri can be distinguished.

Thuja Brabant (Thuja occidentalis Brabant)

Thuja western Brabant

This thuja resembles a column. It can be up to 20 m high, up to 4 m in diameter. In winter, the needle-like leaves begin to turn brown. At the trunk, the bark has a brownish or red tint, which tends to flake off. The variety is classified as a fast-growing species. The annual increase in the height of the trunk is about 35 cm, in width - 15 cm.
Flowering occurs in spring (April-May). When the thuja fades, small ovoid brown cones begin to appear, fully ripening at the end of summer.

cultivation

For growing thuja Brabant, both sunny areas and light shading are suitable. Windy areas are not desirable for the plant.
The soil is selected fertile, moist.
Container trees are well watered before planting.
When planting a plant, it is necessary to check the position of the root collar corresponding to the soil surface.

In the first month, planted plants require weekly one-time watering. Each tree will require 10 liters of water. Then the frequency of watering increases to twice a week for 15-20 liters. The soil is loosened not deep (up to 10 cm), because the roots are located close to the surface. In the process of mulching, peat or wood chips are added, pouring up to 7 cm high.

winter period

Frost-resistant type. Young specimens should be protected during the first winter. Spruce branches and craft paper are perfect for this purpose.

decorative properties

Thuja Smaragd (Thuja occidentalis Smaragd)

Thuja western Smaragd

Cone-shaped thuja, reaching about 5 m tall. It has dense foliage, dark green color. In the cold months, it does not change. The variety is slow growing.

cultivation

The best place for planting will be calm light areas, although the presence of partial shade is also acceptable. The plant grows well in highly fertile moist soil.

A plant that does not like drought needs to be watered regularly. You don’t often have to cut it, the Smaragd variety is growing slowly.

winter period

decorative properties

The living wall of these thujas will not be dense, since the upper parts of the crowns pointed to the top do not completely close. Planting of single plants, group arrangement, planning of alleys is widely used. The variety is ideal for decorating a regular garden, being a noticeable accent in compositional solutions.
A curly haircut is applicable to Tuya Smaragd, which allows you to create designer forms.

Thuja Danica (Thuja occidentalis Danica)

Thuja western Danica

This low thuja resembles a ball. Reaches 60 cm high and about 1 m wide. Needle-shaped leaves form a dense light green crown, acquiring a slight bronze hue in winter. The variety is slow growing. During the year, the shrub rises by no more than 5 cm. The plant can only be propagated by cuttings. An attractive form of thuja Dannik is thuja Aurey Danica (Danica Aurea). It is distinguished by a crown of yellow-green color.

cultivation

This type of thuja is planted on a windless sunny side or in partial shade. It has a low susceptibility to drought, but when planting it is desirable to choose fertile loamy moist soil.

In the first month, as well as in dry hot weather, the plant must be watered abundantly, sprayed, mulched. In the spring, saltpeter, ash, and organic fertilizers are added.

winter period

The variety is not very sensitive to cold. Spends the winter under a snow cap. Rarely there are burns from the spring sun.

decorative properties

The species has become widespread in landscape design. To create balance, elongated specimens of plants are planted next to the thuja, whose crown has a columnar or egg-like shape.
Also, thuja Danica is successfully used for decorating green borders and separate planting.

Thuja Wagneri (Thuja occidentalis Wagneri) or Thuja Wagner

Thuja western Wagneri

An evergreen variety up to 3.5 m tall, up to 1.5 m wide. A dense, egg-like crown with thin vertical branches. They droop a little at the ends. Coniferous needles, green with a gray tint, become brownish in winter. Average annual growth. Buds are not formed.

cultivation

Open windless light places with fertile moist soil are optimally suited. If the groundwater is not deep, then a good drainage device will be required. The root neck should be properly level with the ground. The plant is planted in spring or autumn.

It is required to produce shallow loosening of the soil (up to 10 cm). The soil is also mulched using peat or wood chips. The layer thickness is 7 cm. As necessary, pruning is performed to form the crown.

winter period

Brings winter well. For the first few years after planting, young bushes are covered to prevent burns. To prevent the crown from being damaged under the pressure of snow cover, it is recommended not to tightly tie the branches together.

decorative properties

You can decorate the garden with individual copies, variations in the group. Planting is carried out along the alleys, combined plantings with other trees and shrubs. Thuja for hedges will be a worthy alternative to the usual fencing of the site.

Thuja Golden Globe (Thuja occidentalis Golden Globe)

Thuja occidentalis Golden Globe

A low plant with a rounded crown. In height and breadth it reaches 1 m. The needles of an unusual yellowish tint with a golden tint. By winter, it acquires a brownish tint. Slow growing variety. The annual growth is 8-10 cm.

cultivation

The plant will feel good in bright places, partial shade is also acceptable. Moist, light loamy soil is suitable for planting shrubs. The plant is planted both in spring and autumn.

In the hot period, it is necessary to carry out periodic watering and sprinkling. A young seedling is mulched using cut grass or peat. Loosen the soil shallow. It is not necessary to make a haircut, sanitary pruning in the spring will be enough.

winter period

Thuya Golden Globe tolerates cold quite well. In snowy winters, the crown may suffer, so it must be fixed with a bunch.

decorative properties

Due to its beautiful color and rounded shape, thuja is widely used for decorative purposes, for example, in compositions using pebbles. The variety looks great in rocky gardens, as a green decoration for roofs and balconies.

Thuja Holmstrup (Thuja occidentalis Holmstrup)

Thuja western Holmstrup

In appearance, the thuja Holmstrup resembles a cone, up to 4 m high. Scale-like foliage is solid curly in diameter up to 1 m. The color of the needles is emerald, it does not change in winter. The variety is slow growing. In a year, the plant grows 12 cm high and 4 cm wide.

cultivation

Sunny areas or places with light shade are well suited. The species prefers moist, fertile, drained soil.

Regular watering, sprinkling irrigation, shallow loosening, mulching, for example, with compost, are required. Sanitary pruning is done in the spring.

winter period

It tolerates winter well. The first few years, seedlings are recommended to cover, protecting from sunburn. So that the crown does not suffer from the pressure of snow caps, it must be pulled off.

decorative properties

Thuja perfectly tolerates urban conditions and is widely used in landscape design. It is planted in separate specimens and groups, a green fence is created, rock gardens are arranged, grown in, used together with other trees and shrubs to "create" garden decor.

Thuja Hoseri (Thuja occidentalis Hoseri)

Thuja western Hoseri (Khoseri)

Refers to dwarf varieties. A solid crown in the form of a ball reaches a diameter of up to 0.6 m. Coniferous leaves are scaly, have a dark green color scheme, in the cold season they acquire a bronze tint. The species is slow growing. The height of the plant increases by 5 cm per year.

cultivation

The shrub is shade-tolerant, but when planting it is better to select areas illuminated or with a slight penumbra, devoid of strong winds. Moist loams are suitable for soils.

After planting, mulching is carried out, for example, with peat. In hot, dry weather, regular watering is necessary. In spring and autumn, it needs top dressing. The plant does not need to be cut, it only needs sanitary pruning of dry and broken shoots.

winter period

It tolerates winters quite well under a snow cap.

decorative properties

The low-growing thuja Khoseri will look good on the plot. It is decorated with rocky gardens, planted together with other trees and shrubs, embodying all sorts of decorative compositions. Looks great as a curb fence, container planting.

Thuja folded (Thuja plicata), giant

Thuja folded Zebrina
Thuja folded Zebrina

The highest view. Under natural conditions, it grows in the west of North America and reaches a height of 60 m, a trunk diameter of 3-4 m. Thuja folded belongs to centenarians and can grow up to 800 years. The crown of this species is dense, conical descending to the ground. Needle-shaped scaly leaf plates are saturated green. Below they are with whitish stripes. The bark has a brownish-red tint. The cones are oblong in shape and grow up to 1.2 cm in length. Among cultivated varieties, Zebrina is the most popular.

Thuja Korean (Thuja koraiensis)

Thuja Korean

Korea - natural habitat. Slow growing species. Reaches 9 m. The crown is elegant light green with a silvery sheen from below. The color of the bark is brown-red. The shape of the cones is oval, the length of which reaches 0.8 cm.

Thuja Japanese (Thuja standishii) or Thuja Standish

The homeland of this type of evergreen tree is the mountains of Central Japan. Here, this plant grows up to 18 m. The decorative purpose of growing at home is not the only one. Trees are used to produce quality timber. The culture has a pleasant lemon-eucalyptus aroma. The shape of the crown is pyramidal. The bark is scaly reddish-brown. The needles are green, the bottom has a silvery sheen. Small dark brown cones are oval in shape, grow up to 1 cm.

So, among such a species and varietal diversity of thuja, everyone will be able to pick up suitable trees that will become a real decorative decoration for a garden or summer cottage.

Categories

Popular