Western Thuja - spherical variety
Western Thuja- Thuja occidentalis - comes from the northeastern areas of North America, where it grows in lowlands and moist and sometimes even wet soils, growing up to 20 m in height.The first plants of this species were brought to Europe as early as 1536. Due to the low requirements and long life of these thuja, they have become one of the most frequently planted plants in gardens, and for several centuries of the history ofWestern Thuja cultivation , numerous forms were obtained, ranging from low dwarf , spherical, columnar and conical, with a diversified color of scales.
Western Thuja - care
Western Thujacan grow in sunny or semi-shaded positions. Clearly sunny places require varieties with yellow and golden scales, because only in such locations they gain their nice color. Allcultivars of the thujarequire fertile and moist soil.
Western arborvitae careusually requires regular fertilization of plants (granulated mineral fertilizers are usually given once - in spring, or in August or September you can add autumn fertilizers to conifers), watering for maintaining soil moisture and possible pruning, depending on the variety (there are those that keep their kulites or conical shape naturally, and those that require regular pruning).
Western Thuja'Brabant' and 'Smaragd' are the most frequently chosen types of hedges. The former is a good choice for people who want the hedge to quickly exceed 2 m in height, but require pruning and have to come to terms with browning their scales in winter (they return to their nice color in spring). Smaragd is free from these defects - it does not require shaping and it retains its color all year round. However, it grows a bit slower.
Manyvarieties of the thujaare also perfect for clipping and shaping into various geometric shapes.
Western Thuja - spherical varieties
Western Thuja 'Danica'- dwarf shrub with a spherical shape, reaching only approx. 0.4 m in diameter within 10 years. Its shoots are short, densely arranged, light green. Requires fertile and moist soil. Thuja 'Danica' is great for small home gardens, rockeries and cemeteries, as well as for growing in containers.It can grow in full sun and partial shade.
Western Thuja 'Globosa'- compared to the 'Danica' variety it grows slightly stronger, reaching 1 m in width, and its scales have a gray-green color. Unfortunately, older specimens may lose their compact, spherical shape.
Western Thuja 'Hoseri'- Dwarf Western Thuja with Polish origin, selected in the Kórnik Arboretum. Like the 'Danica' variety, it reaches 0.4 m in 10 years. Usage and requirements are identical.
Western Thuja 'Golden Globe'- is a spherical variety with a golden-yellow color, reaching 0.8 m in 10 years. Works great in small mixed compositions. Requires full sun.
Western Thuja 'Teddy'- relatively young, dwarf variety of spherical shape, only 30 cm wide. Its shoots are delicate, thin, densely arranged.Covered with needles in juvenile forms. Requires fertile and moist soil. It looks great in rock gardens and small home gardens.
Western Thuja 'Aurescens' - narrow-conical, hedged variety
Western Thuja - columnar and conical varieties
Western Thymus 'Aurescens'- is a Polish variety, bred in the Kórnik Arboretum, with a narrow conical shape and quite strong growth (within 10 years it grows up to 2.5 m in height ) and golden-yellow color of the twigs. Plants are planted every 70 cm on lines and hedges. It works well in cemetery plantings and in mixed color compositions.
Western Thuja 'Brabant'- this is the fastest growing variety of Western Thuja with a columnar habit, which can grow to a height of 3 or even 3.5 m within 10 years. To maintain a nice habit and requires cutting, therefore it is recommended for formed hedges.It has become a very popular hedge plant, usually offered on the market simply as Brabant thuja. The scales of this variety are light green. Unfortunately, it tends to brown in winter. The hedge in a row is planted every 50-70 cm.
Western Thuja 'Columna'- it is a narrow, columnar variety, with strong growth (grows up to 3 m in height in 10 years) and dark green scales. It can grow in both sun and partial shade. Recommended for unformed hedges, each row is planted every 60 - 70 cm.
Western Thuja 'Filiformis'- a very interesting, broadly conical, slow-growing (up to 1.5 m tall) variety with a green color. Its shoots are very unusual - stringy and hanging, which makes it look completely different than other Western thuja. It can grow in sun and partial shade on fertile and moist soils. It looks nice in Japanese gardens, and due to its small size, it can be successfully planted in home gardens.
Western Thuja 'Smaragd'- probably the most popular Western Thuja variety with a conical shape and medium-strong growth (within 10 years it grows up to 2.5 m in height). Delicate, dark green twigs, do not turn brown in winter. An excellent hedge plant, commonly sold in stores as a thuja Emerald. In a row, they are planted every 50 to 60 cm.
Western Thuja 'Spiralis'- an interesting variety with a conical shape and dark green, twisted twigs. It grows strongly, reaching 3 meters in 10 years. It looks great as a solitaire (in single plantings), willingly planted in cemeteries.
