tsuga
( SOO - guh )
At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Hemlock, this genus of evergreen trees is native to North America and Japan. These trees need full sun to partial shade and regular water, and have shallow roots. Branches are horizontal to drooping and green needles are banded with white on the undersides. Brown cones hang down from branches; bark is deeply furrowed. Hemlock needs some winter chill to perform well, but otherwise are great lawn or background trees.
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tsuga Species and Varietals
Tsuga growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Tsuga canadensis (Canada Hemlock)
This species is native to eastern North America and reaches 40-70 feet tall and about half as wide. Tends toward a multi-trunked form. Needles are dark green; tree is dense and pyramid-shaped. Great lawn or background tree, and can also be clipped into a hedge. Commonly grown varieties are listed below.
Tsuga diversifolia (Northern Japanese Hemlock) This species is best in zones A2, A3, 2-7 and 17 and is native to northern Japan. It slowly reaches 35-60 feet tall and 25 feet wide, with a multi-trunked habit and graceful, sweeping branches. Needles are short and dark green. This species is more tolerant of wind and frost than other Hemlocks. Variety 'Loowit' reaches 1-1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, with bright green, stout needles. |
Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock) This species grows well in zones A2, A3, 2-7 and 14-17 and is native to Alaska down to Northern California, east to Idaho and Montana. They have a narrow pyramid shape and drooping branches. Foliage is dark green to yellow-green and fernlike, and these trees top out at 70-130 feet tall and 20-30 feet wide. Variety 'Thorsen's Weeping' a prostrate form that can serve as a groundcover or staked when young to be a weeping small tree. |
Tsuga mertensiana (Mountain Hemlock) This species grows well in zones A1-A3, 1-7 and 14-17 and They are native to Alaska's mountains down to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California and east to north Idaho and Montana. These trees reach 50-90 feet tall and about half as wide in the wild, though just 20-30 feet tall in gardens. Needles are light blue-green. These plants are great for rock gardens, containers, and as bonsai subjects as well. Variety 'Elizabeth' grows to 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide with blue-green soft foliage. |
Caring for and pruning Name Trees
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 639 - 640, Tsuga
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