Thuja is an evergreen member of the Cypress family. This tree came to Russia from the territories of America and East Asia. In its kind, thuja distinguishes 6 types. For our harsh winter conditions, frost-resistant is the most suitable option. western thuja... It is most widespread in the garden plots of Russia. Juniper and western thuja have many similarities: both plants are hardy, both belong to coniferous plant species. Thuja is mainly used for decorative purposes. It will grow well on almost any part of the garden plot, as it is an unpretentious plant to care for.
Both juniper and thuja are perfectly subject to the formation of various decorative geometric shapes from them. Of these, gardeners create compositions in the form of a ball, pyramid, cone, column. Shades of juniper and thuja needles are striking in their diversity. Plants can be green, bronze, emerald, golden or silvery.
The only distinguishing feature of thuja from other coniferous counterparts is the absence of needles. Their place is taken by special scales that tightly overlap each other. Thuja can reach a height of about 10 meters. In its own way, thuja can be a low-growing plant, which is especially appreciated for the ability to create complex garden compositions of low height from it.
The most common types of western thuja
Thuja western Brabant
This is a tall tree, reaching a height of about 5 m in a fairly short period of time. It grows in a beautiful columnar shape. The plant is unpretentious in care: it can grow in any part of the garden, it tolerates winter cold well. Thuja Brabant can grow both in the sun and in the shade. Flowering is observed from April to May. The result of flowering is the egg-shaped brown fruit-cones. In the fall, the buds reach maturity. But if the climate presupposes sharp changes in cold and heat, then in such conditions, planting a thuja Brabant is undesirable. Such changes in temperature conditions lead to early sap flow.
Thuyu Brabant is planted in the spring. The soil should be fertile and well moisturized. Poor soils will lead to the fact that the thuja will not form a lush crown, but will bear fruit abundantly. The mixture for planting can be prepared independently, maintaining the proportions of 1: 1: 2 (one part of peat, one part of sand, two parts of sod land). A good layer of drainage should be placed in the planting pit.
Before you get the thuja out of the container in which it grew during the sale, the earthen lump should be well moistened. This will prevent the plant's root system from being disturbed. When planting, the root collar of a thuja should remain at the level of the soil surface; it should not be buried. The planted thuja must be watered well. Further, watering is carried out at the rate of a bucket for one week during a month. Thuja reacts well to loosening the soil, which is carried out to a depth of no more than 10 cm. In the spring, dry dead plant parts are pruned.
If the plant is not yet a year old, then it will need to be insulated for the winter. To do this, use special paper or spruce branches. On the garden plot, thuja Brabant is planted to create a living fence. Each specimen is placed at a distance of about 0.5 m from each other. Pruning the top of the tree regularly will help it grow to the sides, creating a dense hedge.
Thuya Smaragd
It is also a coniferous representative of plants with a pronounced conical shape and a dense crown. It can grow up to 5 m in height. The needles have high decorative qualities. It is dense, deep dark green in color. Thuja Smaragd grows very slowly, but in winter it remains the same rich green color as in summer. It is necessary to plant thuja in well-moistened fertile soil. Further, the plant is provided with abundant watering. Thuja Smaragd is used in the garden for the purpose of zoning.
Frequent pruning does not threaten this type of thuja, since it grows very slowly both in width and in height. It is important to remember that thuja Smaragd does not tolerate the summer heat and dry soil poorly, so the earth in the warm season must be regularly and abundantly moistened. Thuja Smaragd grows best in a well-lit area, but it can also tolerate light partial shade.
Thuja is afraid of drafts, and it is better to protect a young plant in spring from sunlight with a covering material. For this, spruce branches or burlap are used. Smaragd is suitable both for creating a dense hedge, and for growing as individual specimens. This type of thuja lends itself well to cutting and giving various geometric shapes.
Thuja western Columna
It is a coniferous plant with high growth (about 6-7 m) and a columnar crown. Thuja retains its rich dark green color all year round. The plant is unpretentious to growing conditions, it can grow even on marginal soils. For its good growth, only constant soil moisture is sufficient. The plant does not react well to direct sunlight and drought, so it is better to plant it in the shade. Trim the plant as needed. Usually, column figures are formed from its crown.
In late autumn, before the onset of winter cold weather, the young Columna thuja must be protected with a covering material so that in the spring it does not receive a sunburn. It is used both to create a hedge, and as single copies to decorate and zoning garden space.
Thuja western Holmstrup
It is a coniferous tree with an average height (about 3-4 m). The needles of such a tree are dense. The plant itself has a columnar shape. Tuya Holmstrup does not need special care, it is distinguished by slow growth, therefore, she does not need a haircut often - once or twice a year. This willow thuja grows equally well both in the sunny and in the shaded area of the garden. In order for the plant to take root better when planting, it is necessary to use fertile soil. For the first two years, thuja shelters for the winter to protect against sunburn in the spring.
Thuja western Globoza
It is a representative of a coniferous ornamental shrub, growing about 2 m. The scales of this plant change their shades depending on the season. In summer it has a rich green hue, in the cold season it is brown or with a gray tint. The crown of thuja Globoza needs a haircut once every two years. Perhaps this is the most unpretentious type of thuja of all existing. It tolerates well both shade and bright sun, as well as drought and severe frosts. It is better to plant thuja Globoza on fertile soil, constantly moisturizing it. The crown of this type of thuja is so lush that it cannot withstand the weight of the snow cover, therefore it needs to be tied up.
Thuja care
Competent care of thuja, ensuring their good growth, contains the following set of mandatory actions:
- As soon as the young plant has been planted in the soil, experts recommend sprinkling the thuja. Watering should be mandatory and regular - about 10 liters of water per plant every week. In hot dry summers, watering is increased. Sometimes one tree may require up to 20 liters of water per watering. The soil needs constant loosening to a depth of no more than 10 cm.
- Young plants are afraid of bright sunlight, so they need to be protected with a covering material for the winter. Then the active spring sun will not harm the young branches of the plant. Instances with a wide spreading crown must be provided with a support or frame so that they do not break under the onslaught of snow in winter.
- Thuja reacts well to regular application of mineral complex fertilizers. Fertilizers are diluted with water at the concentration specified in the instructions for each specific preparation.
- Every spring, it is recommended to cut the thuja and give its crown a certain shape. This will help the tree grow better.
- Planting thuja has a positive effect on human health. This plant makes the air around itself much cleaner, and also releases useful phytoncides.
- With the help of thuja, you can create a hedge that serves as protection from wind and drafts in the garden.
- Thuja will help zone the garden space.
If you follow all the rules for planting and caring for thujas, then these coniferous beauties will immediately become the main decoration of your garden.
