Species Canadian hemlock
green foliage on brown branches

Canadian hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula'

Also Known As - eastern hemlock
Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula') is a graceful and stately evergreen conifer with arching branches and soft, light green needles. It is an ideal specimen tree, reaching up to 10-15m in height with a spread of up to 4m. It is highly tolerant of chilly, damp conditions and is suitable for planting in shade to partial sun locations. Perfectly suited for an informal hedge or long drive, its drooping branches will add a touch of movement and beauty to both large and small landscapes. Once established this tree is surprisingly low maintenance and requires little pruning or other care.

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

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula' ) prefers moist soil, so it should be watered regularly. Give it a thorough watering when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. During the warmer seasons, water your Canadian hemlock about once a week, and in the cooler seasons, only water it every 2 to 3 weeks. Make sure to always check the soil moisture levels before watering, as over-watering will unfortunately kill your plant.

sunlight

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula') thrives best in full sunlight or partial shade, and can tolerate some shade. In optimal conditions, an adult tree should receive a minimum of 6 to 8 hours of sun per day; however, younger trees need even more sun exposure, up to 10-12 hours per day. For this reason, it is best to plant Canadian hemlock in areas that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the day in order to get the most out of the tree.

pruning

Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula') should be pruned in the late winter or early spring, when the plant is dormant. Pruning should be done carefully, removing no more than 1-third of the growth of the previous year; this will help keep the plant healthy and promote strength. If mature growth is removed, it should be cut back to a younger branch; this helps to ensure that less than 1-third of the current season's growth is removed. Depending on the desired size and shape of the tree, smaller branches can also be selectively pruned or thinned. In general, it is recommended that Canadian hemlock be lightly pruned each year, as this will help promote a more balanced and attractive growth.

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