Species western hemlock
light-green foliage with stems

western hemlock

Tsuga heterophylla 'Thorsen's Weeping'

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla 'Thorsen's Weeping') is an evergreen conifer tree growing up to 30m tall. Its weeping branches and lush green needles create a dense canopy and an attractive appearance. Its bark is brown, rough and scaly. It is native to western North America, growing along the Pacific coast from southern British Columbia to northern California. It is suitable for parks, gardens and woodlands, as well as informal hedges. It offers year-round beauty and its long branches create a gentle, cascading effect. Requiring moist, acidic soil and full or partial shade, this species is a great choice for sustainable, low-maintenance landscaping.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6 - 8

Flowers:

Male Cone, Yellow, Brown Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun Partial sun Shade

Soil:

Loamy

Cones:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

silver,green

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Western hemlock prefers moist, well-drained soil and grows best when it is watered deeply about once per week. Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. During particularly dry periods, water twice per week to help ensure the soil stays moist. To prevent diseases and other problems, avoid overwatering and allow the soil to dry in between waterings. Overwatered hemlock can suffer from root rot and other moisture related problems.

sunlight

Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla 'Thorsen's Weeping') grows best in full sun, or at least partial sun for part of the day. Ideally, this plant species should get at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight each day for optimal growth and health. It is important to avoid too much direct sunlight, as this could lead to moisture stress and sunburn. So while full sun will help the Western Hemlock, it should not be too intense or too long in duration. In areas with intense sunlight, it's recommended that this species be placed in light shade or partial sun for part of the day.

pruning

Pruning of the Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla 'Thorsen's Weeping') should be done annually in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Prune to encourage plant growth, remove dead branches, or shape the plant as desired. Prune no more than 1-third of any single branch and thin any overcrowded branches to increase light penetration and air circulation around the plant. Remove broken or diseased branches and those that are crossing or rubbing against other branches. Doing so will promote growth and reduce susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Season

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

Western hemlock typically starts flowering in late April or early May.

Hardiness Map