Species Canadian hemlock
green foliage with light-gray branches

Canadian hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'Brandley'

Also Known As - eastern hemlock
Tsuga canadensis 'Brandley', otherwise known as the Canadian hemlock, is a hardy evergreen conifer native to Canada and parts of the eastern United States. It is famed for it's beautiful, soft cascading foliage, and is an excellent feature for landscaping projects. It can grow up to 50 feet tall and 25 feet wide with spindly branches spreading outwardly in waves. The glossy foliage is a pale, silver-green shade that stands out against the dappled light of woodland areas. Canadian Hemlocks are easy to care for, tolerant of both light and shade, and delightfully fragrant.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

Non-flowering Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Deep shade, Filtered shade, Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Canadian hemlock should be watered approximately once a week, depending on the season and the general environment of the plant. In the spring and summer, when the weather is warm and the sunlight is plentiful, the soil around the plant should be kept slightly moist. During fall and winter, the soil should be allowed to become mostly dry before watering. Never allow the soil to become soggy as this can lead to root rot. Always check the soil before watering to determine if the plant needs water. A good rule of thumb is to water the hemlock until the soil is evenly moist.

sunlight

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Bradley') grows best in bright, indirect sunlight. This means that the area should receive indirect, filtered light for much of the day, although some direct sun in the morning, or during the late afternoon, is beneficial. In general, 4-5 hours of bright, indirect light per day is recommended. Canadian hemlock will tolerate more intense light in the early morning or late afternoon, as long as this bright light does not come too close to midday.

pruning

Canadian hemlock should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. If it's a young tree or shrub, light shearing is recommended to maintain its desired shape, removing up to 1-third of the plant's growth. For more mature plants, no more than 1-fourth of its growth should be removed at a time, as this might potentially compromise its health. Dead, diseased, and damaged branches can be pruned out at any time throughout the year.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Canadian hemlock typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Canadian hemlock typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map