Thuja 'Danica' , whose full name is Thuja occicentalis 'Danica', is a dwarf conifer with a spherical shape.Growing tui 'Danica'has become very popular because this plant does not have excessive requirements and works well both in gardens and in pots. Seehow to plant and grow thuja 'Danica' , as well as how to prune it so that it retains its spherical shape and lush green color of needles for many years!
Tuja 'Danica' - Thuja occidentalis 'Danica'
What does thuja 'Danica' look like?
Thuja 'Danica' is a variety of the Thuja 'Danica' with a dense, spherical habit and slow growthThe shoots grow 3-5 cm annually, and after 10 years of cultivation, the plant reaches about 0.5 height and width. However, there are examples growing up to 60-70 cm in height and even 1 m in width.Thuja 'Danica' is usually naturally sphericalIn old age it can grow a little more in width, taking a slightly flattened form, but the perfectly spherical shape can be easily maintained by pruning, which the plant tolerates very well.
Thuja 'Danica' looks niceas its limp twigs are short and dense. They keep a nice, vivid green color from spring to autumn. They may turn slightly brown only in winter. Fortunately, they return to their green color in spring.
How to plant thuja 'Danica'?
Thuja 'Danica' is usually sold in potsand can be planted throughout the growing season. However, the best date is spring or fall.
The soil before planting the thuja 'Danica' should be properly prepared , because this plant requires fertile, humus and preferably acidic soils. Therefore, an acidic soil for conifers and compost should be added to the garden soil. You can also use composted pine bark.
Asthuja 'Danica' requires moist soilit is a good idea to mix TerraCottem with the soil. It is a type of conditioner that contains ingredients that improve the soil structure, a starting dose of fertilizer and a hydrogel that increases the water capacity of the soil. Thanks to the use of TerraCottem, the plant will be less sensitive to overdrying. This is quite important asthuja 'Danica' has very shallow roots
Thuja 'Danica' in a pot
Fig. depositphotos.com
Many people ask the questionat what intervals to plant thuja 'Danica'Well, the answer to this question is not clear.The spacing at which we plant 'Danica' depends on the effect we want to achieve. If the plants are to grow in a row without touching each other, they should be planted 1 meter apart. If, on the other hand, they are to create a dense row, without any gaps between the plants, plant them every 50-60 cm.
Thuja 'Danica' should be planted at the same depthas it grew in the pot. After planting the plant, water it abundantly and mulch the soil around it. Mulching is important becausewill protect the shallow root system of thuja 'Danica' from drying outGround pine bark is best for mulching the soil under the thuja. Very often the 'Danica' thuja is mulched with light gravel, as the intense green of this variety contrasts nicely with the light ground.
Thuja 'Danica' can be planted in small home gardens(they are often planted in a loose lane along the path leading to the house entrance), in bedding arrangements, on rockeries and in pots. It is also a recommended plant for a cemetery.
Thuja 'Danica' - cultivation and pruning
Thuja 'Danica' can grow in both sunny and semi-shaded places.It is fully frost-resistant and hibernates well throughout Poland (frost resistance zone 5A). During drought, we must remember to water it regularly, and in the fall, before winter, it is also worth increasing the layer of mulch (especially if there is pine bark under the plants, which can be blown away by the wind and decomposes over time).
From spring to mid-summer, the plant is fertilized with mineral fertilizers for conifers, in accordance with the instructions on the fertilizer packaging (usually granulated fertilizers are sprinkled under the plants once a month from April to July or plants are watered with liquid fertilizer diluted in water once every two weeks).
Thuja 'Danica' in the garden
Fig. Edulkot, forum.PoradnikOgrodniczy.pl
You should also remember about organic fertilization to maintain soil fertility.For this purpose, compost is sprinkled under the plants once a year. If we do not have compost, we can water it using liquid Biohumus or sprinkle Organic Fertilizer for Target Conifers once a year in spring.
Trimming tui 'Danica' is best done in spring(April to June). The plant grows quite slowly, so pruning once a year is definitely enough. Delicate cutting of thuja 'Danica' will help thicken the twigs and maintain a perfectly spherical shape. Remember, however, thatthuja 'Danica' is not a plant that requires pruningand looks nice for the first few years of cultivation even when it is not cut at all. Trimming the thuja 'Danica' is therefore performed only if we deem it necessary, e.g. to limit its growth or to adjust the shape of the ball.
Thuja 'Danica' rarely falls ill , although similarly to other thujas, it may suffer from dieback of conifers, gray mold or phytophthora. We can perfectly deal with diseases by spraying and watering the plant with the biological preparation Polyversum WP.It is a natural, safe to use preparation that can be used to protect thymus plants growing right next to the house and on balconies.
It is also worth checkingseveral times a season if there are no pestsin the dense twigs of the thuja 'Danica', e.g. After noticing pests, spray the 'Danica' thuja with the natural preparation Emulpar 940 EC.
If you want to use stronger chemicals,against fungal diseases thuja 'Danica'spray Topsin M 500 SC, and pests can be sprayed with Karate Gold.
Other varieties, similar to tui 'Danica'
Thuja 'Danica' is the most frequently recommended variety of the Western Thujawith a small growth and a spherical shape. When choosing thuja balls for the garden, it is worth looking at other, similar varieties of thuja, which differ from the 'Danica' variety in color, growth rate or resistance to unfavorable growing conditions.
Western Thuja 'Mirjam'- it is a sport of the 'Danica' variety with even more slow growth and brighter color. After 10 years, this variety of thuja only reaches 30-40 cm in diameter. Golden twigs.
Western Thuja 'Teddy'- another dwarf thuja variety with a spherical shape, reaching about 30 cm in diameter within 10 years. Darker, more gray-green needles. Stems very dense, covered with needles in juvenile forms.
Western Thuja 'Amber Glow'- regular spherical habit but more intensive growth and looser arrangement of twigs. In 10 years it reaches about 60 cm in diameter. The needles are very attractive in color, golden in summer and amber-golden in autumn and winter. However, not everyone likes this color. Personally, I think they look a bit brown (which in this case is not a sign of disease, but a feature of the variety).
Western Thymus 'Hoseri'- a dwarf spherical variety of Polish origin.In 10 years it reaches a diameter of 40 cm. Dark green needles. The color of this variety is less intense in thuja 'Danica', while the variety Hoseri is more resistant to harsh conditions and works well on moors where for the 'Danica' variety it could be too dry.
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