Canadian hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate'

Also Known As - eastern hemlock

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate') is a beautiful, evergreen shrub or small tree, native to Eastern North America. It features bright, dark green needles arranged in flat sprays, softening the overall appearance. Its branches tend to grow in a low, sprawling, vase-shaped pattern, forming a wide but short canopy. Hardy and tolerant of a variety of soils, this low maintenance hemlock is an excellent choice for shaded garden beds, rock gardens, and foundation plantings. Pruning of misbehaving branches in early Spring will encourage optimal growth. Canadian hemlock is deer and drought resistant, and is an excellent choice for providing winter interest in the garden.

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

Fruits:

brown Fruits In Autumn Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Low

watering

Canadian hemlock plants should be watered deeply when the soil is dry, but not too often. For most varieties, watering once a week in the summer and every 2 weeks in the winter should be enough. Make sure to water the soil around the plant deeply until the excess runs out of the bottom of the pot. Don't overwater or let the soil stay soggy, as this can cause root rot. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to water again. In order for the Canadian hemlock to thrive, it needs good drainage and consistently moist soil.

sunlight

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate') requires full sunlight in order to thrive. During the summer, the tree should be exposed to at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. During the winter, the tree may experience some shade but should still receive approximately 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. For optimal growth, the tree should be placed in an area that receives some shading from nearby trees, walls or other structures in order to help protect it from strong winds and extreme heat.

pruning

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate') should be pruned in late spring or early summer. As these shrubs are relatively low growing it is important to not prune too drastically so as to maintain the natural shape of the shrub. Shaping of the shrub can be done by selectively pruning branches to the desired shape, however it is generally not necessary for health and vigor. It is better to selectively remove errant branches, upright shoots, and dead or diseased branches to return the plant to a healthier form. Pruning should be limited to no more than a few inches per season, as over pruning can result in weakened growth and reduced flowering and fruiting.

Season

Fall

Winter

Spring

Summer

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate' is in late summer, usually August or September.

Starts Flowering

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