Caring for the hemlock often depends on what species you have in the garden. But they all have one thing in common, they don't tolerate drought.
The hemlock (Tsuga) is a stately conifer that can reach considerable heights and a proud age. The elegant conifers are often found in parks and larger gardens. Low-growing breeds also make cultivation in the home garden possible. The plants make some demands on the hobby gardener. What is important when caring for the hemlock can be read below.Watering the hemlock correctly
The hemlock needs extra watering. Especially in the first few years, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out. Regular watering is required until the roots have developed sufficiently.
» Good to know: The hemlock responds to persistent drought by shedding its needles.
Even older trees can hardly tolerate prolonged drought. In a sunny location, it needs to be watered frequently in summer. Since the hemlock does not develop deep roots, it is not possible for the plant to absorb water from deeper soil layers. If the soil dries out on the surface, the tree suffers and wilts.
Watering the hemlock in keywords
- Drought is not tolerated
- Water young plants regularly
- additional watering in a sunny spot
- Water older plants sporadically
Fertilize hemlock correctly
The trees have a high nutrient requirement. This should be considered when planting. Choose a nutrient-rich substrate or improve nutrient-poor soil by adding compost or horn shavings.
You should fertilize regularly during the growing season. An acidic fertilizer is ideal for this. A conifer fertilizer that consists of organic components is very suitable.
Our recommendation:
» Caution: The hemlock is sensitive to s alt.
Hemlock fertilizing in keywords
- high nutritional needs
- regular fertilization
- Use conifer fertilizer
- prefer organic fertilizer
- does not tolerate saline fertilizer
Cut the hemlock correctly
The hemlock reaches its natural growth form without any action. So it doesn't have to be cut. In most cases, however, the hemlock in the home garden will not do without pruning, because growth heights of up to forty meters are hardly possible. Even if the saplings are cultivated as a hedge, pruning is a must. This is also possible without any problems, because the plants are very well tolerated by pruning.
If the young branches are pruned, new growth occurs reliably. When pruning older branches, it can be assumed that they will no longer sprout again.
» Tip: Preferably cut the annual wood.
The months of June to September are the right time to trim the hedge. The normal pruning of the plants should be carried out in early spring, before they sprout. If the one-year-old wood is cut back, bushy growth can be promoted. If the side shoots are cut, the trees will grow taller.
» Tip: Special breeds with unusual growth forms should not be pruned.
Hemlock cutting in keywords
- very good pruning tolerance
- Pruning in Spring
- Hedge trimming in summer
- pruning one year old wood
- older wood does not sprout again
An overview of the most important care instructions
| Measure | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casting | • The water requirement is high. • Young plants need water regularly. • In a sunny location, the older hemlock also needs to be watered. • The soil must not dry out |
| Fertilize | • The high nutrient requirements of the plants must be taken into account when planting. • Fertilization is required during the growing season. • Organic fertilizers should preferably be used.• The trees do not tolerate s alt. |
| Cut | • The hemlock fir tolerates pruning very well. • Pruning measures are not absolutely necessary. • Smaller special breeds should not be pruned. • Pruning can be done in spring . • Hedge trimming is done in summer. |
Hemlock species
Hemlocks come in eight species, which are divided into two subgenera of the genus Tsuga.
| subgenus | Art |
|---|---|
| Tsuga | Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis Carrière) |
| Tsuga | Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana Engelmann) |
| Tsuga | Northern Japanese hemlock, or variegated hemlock, (Tsuga diversifolia (Maxim.) Masters) |
| Tsuga | Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sargent) |
| Tsuga | Chinese hemlock (Tsuga chinensis (Franchet) Pritzel ex Diels) |
| Tsuga | Southern Japanese hemlock (Tsuga sieboldii Carrière) |
| Tsuga | Hemlock (Tsuga dumosa (D.Don) Eichler) |
| Hesperopeuce | Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana (Bongard) Carrière) |
Hemlock - small varieties for the home garden
Baloony
The growth is dense and resembles a witch's broom. The branches hang slightly over. The needles are strikingly light green in color. This variety grows about six centimeters per year. After 15 years, the plant, which is suitable for the tub, is about one meter tall.
Cole
This ground cover has remarkably short needles and grows very slowly. At the age of about ten years, the robust plant has reached a height of 20 centimeters and is about four times as wide.
Nana
This strain is pillow-like and very slow growing. The branches grow almost horizontally to the ground. The needles are short and deep green. Nana grows about four centimeters a year.
Jervis
In the beginning this dwarf form grows spherical. Later, the appearance is reminiscent of a sugar loaf. The needles are strong and of an intense light green. The plant is very well suited to being kept in tubs and after ten years it reaches a height of about half a meter.
Hemlock - Diseases and Pests
Hemlocks are generally hardy and rarely affected by disease or pests. In recent years in particular, there have been an increasing number of cases of hemlock mealybug infestations in Europe. The pests were brought in from Asia and have obviously spread widely. The infestation damages the shoots and needles of the plant and can eventually lead to the death of the tree.
The fungus species Rhizoctonia or Fusarium can also be dangerous for the hemlock. Young plants that are not yet very resistant are particularly affected. The hobby gardener often only recognizes an infestation when there is gray to white discoloration on the roots. toFungal diseases are more likely to occur in humid weather. The fungal spores attach themselves to the underside of the needles.
» Tip: Remove infested parts of the plant and treat an advanced infestation with a fungicide.
Winter hemlock
Most species of hemlock are hardy in our latitudes. In lower cultivars, the branches are more delicate and should receive fleece winter protection. The soil must be protected from evaporation as the plants do not tolerate drought. This can be done by applying a layer of leaves or mixing in bark mulch.