Golden thuja. Thuja varieties with photos and descriptions. Globular varieties of thuja

There are more than 200 varieties of thuja. These varieties are usually divided into tall and short, and varieties with yellow needles. Landscape designers Thuja is used not only for forming hedges. Border varieties of coniferous plants are great for decorating flower beds. Using different varieties thuja on your site, you can create a wonderful green composition. Let's consider the varieties of thuja that are most suitable for the foreground of the composition, and trees specially bred to form a hedge.

Globular varieties of thuja

Globular varieties of thuja were bred to decorate flower beds on the site. These varieties belong to the border subspecies of thuja. They grow very slowly, their height is no more than 1 m. The spherical varieties tolerate cutting and shaping well, but suffer greatly from sharp frosts. These varieties should be planted next to tall bushes, for example, so that the thuja is protected from the wind and is in partial shade. The spherical variety of thuja can reach a size of 90 cm in diameter. Such thujas are excellent for those areas, most of which are shaded by tall shrubs or trees. Among the spherical varieties there are thujas with yellow needles, which perfectly complement the green varieties.

The most popular spherical thuja variety is Globoza. The tips of the branches of this bush are yellow, closer to the middle the color becomes light green, and near the trunk itself it turns green.

Low-growing varieties of thuja

Low-growing varieties of thuja are excellent for decorating an area with outbuildings. The height of these varieties reaches 3 m. Low-growing thujas tolerate frosts and autumn temperature changes well. These varieties are most often used to form hedges. They are very decorative, as they are compact in size and almost never set seeds.

Most popular variety low-growing thuja - “Smaragd”. You can buy a subspecies of this variety with yellow needles.

Tall varieties of thuja

Tall varieties of thuja are planted only in large areas. The height of coniferous trees can reach 9 m. They are used to divide an area into zones or instead of columns in a hedge.

If your site has too much light to grow shade-loving crops, plant at least one tall thuja. In five years, it will be possible to make beds for shade-loving plants near it.

The evergreen thuja tree has many varieties that differ in size, crown shape, and needle color. Depending on the type, thujas are used as an independent element of garden design or as an addition to flower beds, alpine slides, and rockeries. Thujas are unpretentious and unique in their own way - we will look at the types and varieties with photos of the most common coniferous representatives. In Russia, Western varieties have received special recognition among gardeners. They can have the appearance of a lush shrub or tree with a columnar, pyramidal, spherical or spherical crown; so-called weeping thujas are also found.

Types of thuja occidentalis, what varieties are there

One of the most favorite, widespread varieties of these conifers is thuja western Smaragd. This majestic tree looks like a cypress and grows up to 5 meters high. No matter what time of year it is, its needles have a constant emerald hue. Smaragd is hardy, frost-resistant, undemanding to the type of soil, but especially loves loam or calcareous soils. It prefers sunlit places or, in extreme cases, partial shade. This type is different slow growth(up to 10 cm per year), optimally suited for decorating a variety of hedges.

This variety has a remarkable variety, which is also loved by summer residents, owners adjacent areas– Golden Smaragd thuja. It got its name due to the golden hue of the branches, which does not change throughout the year. An adult tree reaches 2 meters in height, has a cone-shaped crown with dense, short shoots. This representative of conifers loves fertile soil, which should be well moistened and drained. Doesn’t like gas pollution, dirty air of the city, so a dacha or suburban area will become suitable growing conditions for it. The ideal place for planting such a thuja is slightly acidic loam, a sunlit area. Smaragd is adapted to the Russian climate and is hardy.

Golden Smaragd, photo:

This variety requires careful loosening of the soil, as it has a superficial root system that can be easily damaged. The digging depth should not exceed 10 cm; for the same reason, with the onset of hot summer, it is advisable to mulch the ground near the trees to slow down the evaporation of moisture. The thickness of the mulch layer should be approximately 8-10 cm.

Description of the variety: Thuja western Danica is a spherical shrub, which is called dwarf because of its small size. The height of this bush reaches about half a meter, width - 1 meter. It is characterized by the presence of dense soft needles and shoots growing upward. Growth is slow, no more than 5 cm per year. Thanks to its compact size, unpretentiousness, and external decorativeness, Danika fits perfectly into any garden design or composition. The crown of the bush lends itself well to shaping and trimming. Green hedges, curbs – great option for this dwarf species. This conifer is also called spherical.

Globular thuja Danika, photo:

Another representative of the dwarf spherical Danica is the Aurea variety, which is distinguished by a more yellowish tint of needles. The requirements for conditions of detention and the characteristics of both types are similar. These shrubs love fertile soil, fresh water, regular moisture, and irrigation of the crown when it’s hot. They do not require haircuts, are easy to shape, and are frost-resistant. It should be taken into account that in the first years of life the bushes need to be insulated for the winter (mulching, covering with appropriate material), and also protected from sunburn in early spring. In 2-3 years the thuja will get used to the new place.

Aurea Danika - globular thuja, photo:

Among the varieties of these coniferous crops there are also giants, which are characterized by rapid growth and can reach a height of up to 20 meters. IN middle lane In Russia, this variety most often grows up to 2-3 meters, less often – up to 5. Thuja western Brabant adds about 30-40 cm in height every year, the width of the columnar crown also does not stand still - it is approximately 10-15 cm of growth. This variety does not change the color of its needles with changing seasons; it has rich green branches, sometimes with golden tips.

It's unpretentious frost-resistant variety, gets along well on any type of soil, but fertile soil is more preferable for it. It tolerates both light and excessive watering. It blooms in April-May, lends itself well to pruning and crown formation. Also popular is a relatively new variety of the Brabant-Golden variety, which demonstrates the golden color of the needles while maintaining all the basic qualities.

Brabant thuja, photo:

Eastern thujas - Aurea Nana, Biota - photo, description

There are approximately 60 varieties of eastern thuja species. Despite the fact that they are more demanding than their western counterparts, under the right conditions these trees can become a real decoration of the site. All varieties of oriental thuja have differences in the color of needles, bark, crown shape, shoots, and other characteristics.

They all love the sun, a lot of light. If you plant the oriental thuja in a shaded place, its crown will not develop properly, which will subsequently affect its decorative appearance. Such trees are excellent for creating living barriers from the wind and designing rocky gardens. Like Western varieties, they come in tall, upright, dwarf varieties (e.g. Aurea Nana). Oriental thuja species are not winter-hardy.

Thuja orientalis, photo:

Dwarf Aurea Nana, photo:

Oriental thuja Biota, photo:

Most eastern representatives of conifers are heat-resistant, tolerate drought well, and thrive in areas with close groundwater and rocky soils.

Fluffy green thuja, a species whose varieties may be similar, is actually unique in each of its species. The color of the needles can be golden yellow, rich green or even blue. The size, height, shape, structure of branches, their direction can also be very diverse.

Choose for yourself which thuja you like best, the types and varieties with photos were presented above.

These are the most popular representatives of the cypress family, which are chosen by gardeners, dacha owners, country houses. With proper care it is decorative, useful tree will decorate your territory and delight the eye for many years.

Variety "Danica"

It is a shrub with a spherical shape, the diameter of which reaches no more than 100 cm.

Little ones fluffy balls They look beautiful when combined with each other in plant painting compositions.

Variety “Little Champion”.

A low shrub with a branched crown stands out in alpine slide graceful unique form among the strict forms of other plants.

The plant changes the color of its needles depending on the season.

In summer the crown of the thuja becomes light brown, and in winter period– bronze.

Variety "Tiny Tim".

Looks great among the stones.

The spherical crown reaches a diameter of 50 cm within 10 years.

However, growth here is very slow.

Variety "Globosa Nana" (Globosa Nana).
A low plant with a spherical crown and yellow-green needles in the form of scales.

This species fits very picturesquely into rock gardens and small flower beds when building a composition.

Thuja grows slowly.

Within 10 years it reaches 50-60 cm in height.

Expert advice: These varieties need to be grown in poor soils so that they do not grow upward and lose their shape.

The right approach to choosing a plant

Be careful when choosing dwarf thujas in order to beautifully arrange them in the landscape.

First, take into account all the specific qualities of the region in which you live and the parameters of the site for thuja: soil characteristics and access to the sun.

Select the types of thuja, taking into account such characteristics as:

• shade tolerance;
• frost resistance;
• conditions of care.

Before purchasing a dwarf thuja, you need to pay attention to them appearance. This will avoid growing plants with diseases in the future.

1. Bareness of the root system. The presence of soil on the roots helps protect the shoot against the adverse effects of temperatures and various other factors. external environment. Pay attention to the development of the root system. If the root system is chopped off, then the plant most likely will not be able to take root in another area after transplantation.
2. Pay attention to the roots and trunk. Look at the condition of the seedling - its dryness. If the top layer of the trunk delaminates, then this plant is not worth purchasing, as it will quickly die.
3. Carefully examine the crown and trunk, see if the plant is healthy and if there are pests. It is clear that a diseased shoot should not be purchased, since no one guarantees that it will not die.

Landing

A low-growing plant can be planted at any time, but if planting is done in autumn or early spring, the shrub will be stronger and more resistant to environmental influences.

When planting, leave the root collar of the plant at ground level, do not place it deep and do not lift it above the ground so that the thuja does not get sick.

If there is stagnant water on the site (rain or melt water), then you need to build a drainage of about 0.2 m. Alleys of thujas should be planted 6-8 m wide with intervals between low shrubs of 4 m. In a group arrangement between dwarf thujas, keep 1-2 meter distance.

When planting small shrubs as a hedge in one row, maintain a distance of 1 meter, etc. Remember that thujas will grow not only tall, but also wide.

The guarantee of rapid growth and good development of the plant will be:

• the right approach to choosing a variety;
• presence of a healthy seedling;
• proper plant care.

Growing conditions

1. Thujas grow in any conditions and on any soil: in sand, clay or turf, that is, thujas are unpretentious.
2. Low shrubs prefer soils with a good layer of humus, sufficient moisture and slightly acidity.
3. Excellent rapid growth of short plants occurs in sun and partial shade. It is better not to grow in the shade, as the plants thin out and begin to lose their shape and lush greenery.
4. When deciding to place thujas, you should give preference to an area where the sun is not present all day. Shrubs don't like elevated temperatures and drought.
5. Thujas love moisture and can and should grow in moist areas. Do not place thujas near groundwater! But it is worth remembering that thujas are quite drought-resistant, so in very dry times, water them 2-3 times a week in the form of sprinkling so that the needles remain decorative.
6. Dwarf thujas are grown both in open ground and in pots. Low shrubs can be planted individually or in groups, and can also be used as a hedge.

Care

The main care for thujas is moderate and clearly organized watering.

For the first month after planting, water 10 liters once a week, in dry times - 20 liters 2 times a week.

Soil moisture is the main condition for having a luxurious and vibrant thuja crown. During the first three years after planting a shoot, loosen the soil around it, but do not exceed 0.1 m in depth, since the root system is actually located on the surface.

When mulching the soil, use peat or sawdust in a layer of 7 cm. To prevent damage to the crown in winter with heavy snow, tie a low bush in the fall.

And when spring comes, place the young thuja in the shade from sunburn using covering materials and remove dry shoots. Trim hedge bushes using only powerful and sharp pruning shears, cutting off no more than a third of the plant.

Diseases and pests

Common pests of thuja are:

• bark beetle;
• cypress aphid
• mite;
• scale insect

Yellowing of the thuja indicates the presence of such troubles as:

• after improper planting - exposure of the root system or its excessive penetration into the ground;
• sunburn;
• fungal infections.

But yellowing of thujas is not always a sign of disease. It is typical for thujas to change the color of their needles with the first cold weather; in the fall they acquire yellow, and in spring - green.

Use in rock gardens

A rock garden is an artificial landscape composition that imitates nature growing in mountainous areas, where conifers occupy a special place.

To form miniature garden small varieties of thuja are suitable, characterized by their compactness or slow growth, which makes it possible to correct their shape in time.

To form a landscape, you can use either one thuja or several, making colorful compositions from them. Ball-shaped ones fit well into the theme of rock gardens. low-growing varieties: “Danika”, “Little Champion”, “Teenie Tim”, “Globoza Nana”.

Watch the video in which a specialist explains in detail the features of growing dwarf thujas and other coniferous plants:

Tall green thuja trees with flat branches located in different planes form continuous screens, limiting and shaping the space, forming closed landscape areas. The play of shades of color in folds and shading created by multidirectional branches makes textured surface expressive, making a stunning impression. Unpretentious plants They tolerate pruning well and are great for creating dense hedges and all kinds of green shapes, designing rocky hills and driveways.

Types of thuja

Several types of thuja are grown in culture, on the basis of which breeders have developed many different varieties, which include columnar, pyramidal, spherical and cushion-shaped forms of different colors and shades. The greatest selection diversity is distinguished by the western, eastern and folded thujas.

After you choose a variety of thuja suitable for your garden, use our article “”, which will help you: choose the right seedling, plant and grow from it beautiful tree or shrub.

Western thuja (Thuja occidentalis)

Large trees up to 20 m high natural conditions grow in the forests of North America. The crown is formed in the form of a pyramid narrowed at the top and becomes rounded with age. The reddish-brown bark cracks and peels off, hanging in long strips. The needles are green, flat, light on the underside. Small cones, 1–1.5 cm long, ripen in the fall and quickly fall off.

Danica

A delightful dwarf variety of Danish selection was obtained in 1948. Mature plant reaches a height of half a meter and develops slowly. The dense crown forms a perfectly rounded ball of deep green color. The wavy surface formed by fan-shaped branches placed in a vertical plane gives this thuja a special charm. The needles are bright in summer and tend to turn brown in winter. The tree is compact and great for planting in mixed borders and for landscaping rockeries.

Fastigiata

The well-known variety of German selection is a slender, dense tree more than 15 m in height. Development is rapid, annual growth reaches 20–30 cm. The columnar crown, widened at the bottom and narrowed at the top, is formed by strong skeletal branches directed vertically.

The side branches are flat, horizontally placed, curled at the ends and covered with dark green needles. It propagates well by seeds, but the resulting seedlings may differ greatly from the mother plant.

Thuja orientalis

The name Thuja orientalis is assigned to a species that actually does not belong to the genus Thuja, although it is very similar in appearance. It would be more correct to call this decorative conifer Platycladus orientalis or Biota orientalis. The species originates from Korea and China, where it grows singly or in small groups on rocky, poor soils in a temperate climate.

It develops slowly, mainly in the form of a tree, reaching 5–10 m in height, growing even higher in favorable conditions. In cold regions it takes the form of a shrub. The crown is pyramidal or cone-shaped with a wide base. The bark is reddish-brown, peeling off in strips.

The flat, fan-shaped branches are directed vertically and covered with bright green scaly needles. Young plants, likewise, may be distinguished by needle-like, sharp needles. In winter, the needles radically change color - they turn brown or yellow.

Aurea Nana

The dwarf variety is popular in regions with temperate or warm climates; in cold winters it requires shelter. Despite some whimsicality, the plant is loved for the bright light green “grassy” color of its needles, its cone-shaped crown, which becomes ovoid over the years, and its slow development. By the age of ten it reaches 0.8–1 m in height; an adult tree grows up to one and a half meters and is darker in color.

In winter, the color changes, the needles acquire a golden-bronze hue. A plant can only display rich colors when sunny areas and moist soils, in this case Aurea Nana will serve as a real decoration for a flower garden, rock garden or mixborder.

Justynka

A spectacular dwarf, columnar-shaped variety of Polish selection. By the age of ten, the tree grows to 1–1.2 m. Formative branches are directed upward, the branches are fan-shaped, located in a vertical plane, the crown is dense, with dark green flattened needles. It is noted as a cold-resistant plant; it winters well in temperate latitudes. Looks great in rockeries and small mixborders.

Morgan

The unusual thuja was obtained by Australian breeders and is distinguished by a dense pyramidal crown of fan-shaped branches of golden yellow color. In winter, the tree becomes even more attractive, acquiring a bright reddish-bronze color, sometimes with orange tone. It develops slowly, growing 5–7 cm per year, reaching a height of 70 cm by the age of ten.

Thuja plicata

Huge trees of this species in the natural conditions of the Pacific coast of North America grow up to 60 m, due to which the species received another name - giant thuja (T.gigantea). At the latitude of St. Petersburg, the tree reaches 12–15 m, but is prone to freezing in severe winters. The crown is low, thick, spreading, the branches are directed horizontally or obliquely upward, the side branches are drooping. The needles are scaly, long, emerald green, with a whitish stripe on the underside.

About 50 varieties have been bred; due to their large size, the species is often planted in parks for personal plots It is recommended to choose dwarf and slow-growing varieties.

Whipcord

A wonderful dwarf variety of American selection grows as a tree with a spherical crown, reaching 1.5 m. The shoots are large, sloping, long sharp needles flow down, giving the thuja an exotic look. In the cold season, the color becomes bronze.

It grows slowly, no more than 7–10 cm per year, requires an open area and sufficient moisture, and is frost-resistant. Vipcord looks exceptional in single plantings against a background of stones, and is effective in standard form.

Zebrina

A slow-growing variegated variety with a wide-conical crown, loose in young plants and dense in adults. On poor soils and northern regions grows 7–10 cm per year, reaching 2.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter by the age of ten. In favorable conditions, on nutritious soils, it produces annual growth of up to 15–20 cm.

The skeletal branches are spreading, the side branches are drooping, covered with shiny scale-like needles of a juicy green tone, young shoots with creamy white or golden transverse wide stripes. A lush, elegant tree is most suitable for solitaire planting.

Originally grows in central Japan, on the islands of Honshu and Shikoku, in Japanese culture the species is considered one of the five sacred trees Kiso, and in ancient times this thuja was prohibited from being cut down. Large beautiful tree with vertically directed spreading branches forming a pyramidal crown with a wide base, reaches a height of 20 m. In cultivation it grows up to 6–9 m, but under natural conditions old trees can grow huge - up to 35 meters or more.

The bark is fibrous, reddish-brown in color. The needles have a characteristic strong odor, flat, matte, bright green, the reverse side is bluish-silver. Japanese thuja is frost-resistant, but suffers from a lack of moisture; it develops better on nutritious, well-drained loams. Open areas or sparse partial shade are preferred.

Korean thuja (Thuja koraiensis)

A spreading shrub or conical tree with a loose crown, growing up to 7–8 m in height. It grows wild in forests, on the mountain slopes and valleys of China and Korea, where it is considered quite winter-hardy plant. The bark is reddish-brown, rough, the shoots are flat, with narrow blunt needles, silvery on the underside. The look is distinguished by its grace and lightness due to the light tone of the lace branches with edges curved upward.

Species plants are available for purchase in nurseries; a few varietal varieties are rare.

Glauca Prostrata

A promising slow-growing variety with a mature plant height of up to 60 cm. The plant is spectacular, with graceful openwork branches similar to fern leaves, bluish-green in color with a silver lining. The light, lush crown with spreading shoots looks airy.

It grows poorly in deep shade, losing its decorative effect. An exceptional choice for mixed foreground plantings, looks great as a tapeworm against a background of dark plants.

Groups of thuja varieties according to growth rate, crown shape and color

The entire variety of thuja varieties can be divided into categories according to growth intensity and crown shape. Another important feature is the color of the needles. The most common among thujas are variations of various shades of green, golden-yellow plants are spectacular, varieties of a blue tint are less common, most often these are a few representatives of the oriental thuja.

Pyramidal (cone-shaped)

Platycladus Pyramidalis Aurea

Beautiful variety thuja orientalis with a narrowed cone-shaped crown of juicy green color. It grows up to 4–6 m in height, the crown is formed by vertically directed branches, the apex is pointed. The overgrowing branches are small, densely covered with scaly needles of a yellowish-green color, which do not fade in winter.

The variety is characterized by moderate growth - up to 10 cm per year. An excellent choice for adding color to mixed conifer plantings or forming a colorful, slender hedge.

Kornik

A strong, lush tree with a pyramidal crown, growing densely from the ground itself, is a famous representative arborvitae. The crown is formed by elastic branches located horizontally and drooping. The needles are glossy, dark green, covered with silver stripes on the reverse side, becoming golden or bronze in winter.

The growth rate is average, by the age of ten the tree reaches 2.5–3 m in height and up to 1.5 m in diameter. To form a continuous hedge or screen, seedlings are placed every 0.8–1 m. Cornik looks great as a tapeworm.

Globular

Golden Globe

The round golden thuja was obtained by Dutch breeders in 1963 and is a mutation of the Woodwardii variety. The crown is assembled from flat small branches directed horizontally. It grows moderately, 7–8 cm per year, the diameter of an adult spherical shrub is 1–1.2 m. The needles are very light, shining golden-yellow in color, and after frosts they become reddish-copper.

For complete coloring it is necessary open space. The variety works well in single plantings in flower beds and mixborders, and is excellent in original design tracks.

Hoseri

A slow-growing shrub is a variety western thuja Polish selection, grows 4–8 cm per year. The crown is rounded, even, formed by skeletal branches directed obliquely upward with small overgrowing branches and bristling young shoots, which is why the surface looks soft and velvety. The needles are small, smooth, emerald green, clear in color, turning bronze in winter.

The regular spherical crown reaches half a meter in diameter by ten years. In adulthood, the plant becomes flattened, acquiring a cushion shape, and can reach a diameter of more than a meter.

Columnar

Columna

One of the best columnar varieties, obtained in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. A tall, slender tree is characterized by an average growth rate; by the age of ten it reaches 3 m in height and 1.2–1.5 m in diameter; later it can grow up to 10 m, which is a unique characteristic of columnar-shaped thujas, which usually do not reach such sizes .

The narrow crown with a blunt rounded top is formed by horizontally directed branches, fan-shaped at the ends. Small glossy needles are smooth, dark green in color. The variety is frost-resistant, unpretentious, suitable for forming green screens that do not require cutting.

Brabant

Fast growing western thuja with a columnar or narrow cone-shaped crown. It grows actively, in favorable conditions it gives annual increments of up to 30 cm, reaching a height of 3.5–5 m. The overgrowing branches are flat, multi-directional in the shape of a fan. The scaly needles are of a thick green tone, the color is stable and does not change with the arrival of cold weather. The crown surface is wavy and acquires a loose structure over the years. Used for group plantings and evergreen alleys.

Dwarf

Waterfield

Western thuja The dwarf type is a rounded shrub with a dense crown; with age it acquires a slightly elongated oval shape. By the age of ten it reaches a height of about 30–50 cm, growing 4–5 cm per year.

Shortened lateral branches are fan-shaped, delicate growths, light cream when emerging, make the surface textured, soft, similar to lichen. In winter, the needles become brownish-brown.

Zmatlik

Nice Czech variety western thuja dwarf type with vertically directed growth. The crown is columnar-shaped, narrow, up to 1.0–1.2 m high and up to half a meter wide. Seedlings and young plants have an indefinite, curved shape, and the plant itself seems disheveled.

Over time, due to the fan-shaped winding branches, the dense surface acquires a patterned texture due to spirals and waves overlapping each other. The needles are small, dark green. It tolerates planting in the shade, but in this case the crown becomes loose, losing its amazing decorative effect.

Cushion-shaped

Umbraculifera

Cushion-shaped western thuja obtained at the end of the 19th century by German breeders. It develops slowly, up to 7–10 cm per year, by the age of ten it grows about 1 m tall, forms a pressed wide crown with a diameter of more than 2 m, umbrella-shaped, rounded at the edge.

The branches are flexible, with densely growing side branches, curved and placed in different planes, which gives the surface a peculiar effect of water ripples. The growths are flat, covered with dark glossy needles with a bluish tint.

Golden Tuffet

Spectacular variety western thuja In young age round shape, later the crown becomes wide, cushion-shaped, reaching a height of 60 cm. The overgrowing branches are graceful, drooping, and located in different directions. On young growths, the needles have a delicate pinkish-golden tone; in bright sun they acquire an orange or bronze hue. A plant planted in the shade loses its warm tones, turns green, and the crown becomes sparse.

Golden (yellow)

Forever Goldy

Promising “ever-yellow” variety arborvitae with bright golden-green needles that do not change color throughout the year. The compact tree with a cone-shaped crown is formed by strong small branches with flat shoots, turned vertically and located parallel to each other. Growth is up to 10–15 cm per year; by the age of ten, the tree grows no more than one and a half meters in height.

Young shoots are much lighter than the deep green tones, and this play of light and shadow makes the plant especially attractive. Grows well in sun and partial shade, but open areas the golden color becomes more saturated. Used as a tapeworm on rocky slides, as well as for low bright hedges.

Golden Minaret

Beautiful light-loving variety thuja orientalis is a lush pyramidal tree with needles of a golden-bronze hue; in winter, reddish-bronze tones predominate. When planted in shade, it turns lemon green. It grows up to 4 m in height and about 1.5 m in diameter, the growth rate is moderate - about 10 cm per year.

The needles are scaly, densely covering short branches, the growths puff up and create the illusion of a soft, plush surface. Needs shelter for the winter, especially at a young age; in the spring the shoots are susceptible to burns.

Blue

Blue Cone

This oriental thuja with a dense cone-shaped crown in the shape of a pin, develops intensively, in good conditions grows about 20 cm per year and reaches a height of 2–3 m and a width of 1.2–2.0 m. Flat branches in the form of a fan are directed vertically, the needles are bluish-green, dark, sea green.

Blue Con is undemanding to watering and works well in hot regions, surpassing the western thuja in drought resistance. IN northern latitudes in harsh winters with little snow it can freeze out and requires reliable shelter.

Meldensis

Variety eastern thuja with an ovoid crown in young plants, which becomes pyramidal in adults. The branching is dense, the branches are fan-shaped, the shoots are multidirectional, forming a dense flat surface. The needles are bluish-green, darken in winter, acquiring a purple tint, and young growths turn brown. Plants grown from seeds are more resilient and grow faster.

Fast growing

Gelderland

A beautiful slender plant with a perfect cone-shaped crown, forming from the ground itself. It develops quickly, growing by 20–25 cm, reaching a height of 4–5 m. The delicate needles, dense green in summer and golden or bronze in winter, make the plant especially attractive.

Planted as a tapeworm, this stunning thuja has a pleated surface ( folded thuja) soft dense crown resembles a fabulous Christmas tree, magnificent at any time of the year.

Excelsa

Another wonderful representative folded thuja, at a young age columnar in shape, then cone-shaped with a wide base. Growing up to 30 cm per year, the large tree reaches 12–15 m in height and more than 3 m in diameter. The branches are directed horizontally or obliquely upward, drooping at the ends. The needles are shiny, thick green, slightly lighter on the growths.

The variety is resistant, winters well, strong and effective. Prefers fertile loams and is demanding on moisture. Looks luxurious in alleys and groups.

Video about the variety of types and varieties of thuja

In small ornamental gardens, on rocky hills, near fences and in mixed borders, luxurious thujas, with their dense, abundant needles, rich in color, will come into place. Pyramidal and spherical, emerald and golden, tall and dwarf, they provide enormous scope for creativity, allowing you to bring to life the most daring design solutions. And of course, nothing can replace the columnar thuja when creating slender alleys and green screens that visually expand and lengthen the space.

On garden plots, in parks, near administrative and office buildings you can see thuja - ornamental plant with graceful carved branches. We'll tell you about it.

These coniferous trees and shrubs are close relatives of proud cypresses. Most types of thuja are evergreen, but there are also other shades: golden, blue, light green. The crown of the plants is quite dense, and the needles (very fragrant) are scaly. It is located crosswise. Among the branches, small cones are almost invisible, usually having a greenish color. The reddish-brown bark is smooth.

Types and varieties

There are two varieties of thuja: western and eastern. The last one is from East Asia. He loves warmth and light very much, so it is grown here only in the form indoor plants. They clean the indoor air well. Western thuja came to Europe in 1540 from North American and Canadian forests. The plant is frost-resistant and tolerates the domestic climate well. It is often used for landscaping - it is not too troublesome and not very expensive.

According to their shape, there are spherical and cone-shaped varieties of western thuja - there are more than 120 of them. The crowns are symmetrical and easy to shape. The height is like small ones ( dwarf varieties no more than 30 centimeters), and large twelve-meter trees. With age, the pyramidal shape of the crown transforms into an ovoid shape. Plants live for a long time - a century, or even twice as long.

Globular varieties

There are many variations of thuja with a round crown shape. One of them, Danika, will be discussed in the article. They are well suited for decorating a rock garden, creating a hedge, or being included in picturesque flower and wood compositions. On permanent place habitats, five-year-old or seven-year-old trees can be planted. They are propagated by cuttings.

Partial shade and fertile loams are favorable for all species. Groundwater undesirable. If they are close, then drainage is needed - 20 cm. Soil mixture - two parts of earth with the addition of one part each of sand and peat. Plus mineral fertilizer. Plant only with a clod of soil! We place the root neck at ground level - certainly not higher or lower. For the first month, 10 liters of water are poured under each tree weekly (in summer or when it is very dry - twice as often). When caring, loosening and mulching are good.

Danica

This miniature spherical variety of thuja received the name Danica because it appeared in Denmark in the middle of the last century. The plant is only 60 cm tall and with a crown volume of one meter and has soft green needles (brownish-green in winter). The needles, thin, silky, stretch upward.

Danika increases in height slowly - in one year from 4 to 5 cm. And the crown circumference increases even less - about 3 or 4 cm. Maximum dimensions purchases a tree that is 15 years old. For propagation, the cuttings method is used. You can take seedlings, which, when planted, are placed at a distance of 40 cm to 3 m.

You need to choose places without strong winds, not in deep shadow. Partial shade or sun (just not scorching) is an excellent option. The hole is deepened from 60 cm to a meter - depending on the size of the root system. In the spring, organic matter, saltpeter, and ash are added. In winter, it is advisable to cover young plants.

This variety is most often used for beautiful borders.. The crown is malleable, and real works of art can be made from it. Animals, for example, or castle walls. Danica combines very well with ovoid and conical trees, forming magnificent compositions that correspond to the “golden ratio”.

In the nursery, plants with a height of 25 to 40 cm will cost from 900 rubles to 3.2 thousand rubles.

Brabant

This variety (Brabant) grows quickly. It adds 15 cm in the volume of the conical branched crown per year, and 40 cm in height. In our latitudes, mature trees are usually not taller than 4 or 5 m. The branches beautifully fall to the ground, and the needles do not lose their green color even in winter .

The variety is hardy and undemanding to any soil, but it will look freshest on loam soils that are characterized by fertility. Otherwise the branches will thin out and the foliage will turn pale. As in too thick shade. And the scorching sun is not suitable for Brabant - in this case it will be difficult in the winter cold. But partial shade is what you need. Landing ( better in spring) we make a hole up to a meter deep (in wet and heavy soils we arrange drainage). Nitroammofoska will not be superfluous - half a kilogram for one tree (adult). When planting an alley of trees of this variety, maintain a row spacing of 6 to 8 m, and plant seedlings at a distance of 3 to 4 m from each other.

Young plants are protected from cold by wrapping them in thick paper or burlap in the first and second year. And also cover it with spruce branches. And after 2 or 3 years (not earlier) you can start pruning, giving the required form. If we want to get a dense wall, then we trim the trees a couple of times a season. And there is no need to be zealous - cut off a third of the shoot, no more.

This variety is good for framing garden plots and private houses. Trees can be planted in the form of an alley. Near a public building or office, plants will delight you with greenery all year round.

In the nursery, seedlings of this species (height from 100 to 175 cm) will cost from 1.3 to 1.8 thousand rubles.

Emerald

Smaragd is very reminiscent of cypress in its grace, slenderness, narrow pyramidal crown (quite dense, up to 2 m in diameter). Trees grow up to 3–5 m, delighting with emerald green needles, which do not lose their freshness even in winter. Slow annual growth (up to 10 cm upward, and half as wide) is a distinctive feature of the variety. Smaragd lives up to 150 years.

The variety responds well to soils containing lime. Propagation - by cuttings or seeds, planting - in spring or summer. Plant with a clod of soil in the sun or light shade, water weekly. Loosen carefully, no deeper than 10 cm - the roots are close. The plant does not tolerate the dry season well - spraying is necessary at this time. In the first winter they cover. A protective layer of mulch of 5–8 cm will protect the roots. Pruning is done every 2 or 3 years.

The variety is suitable for creating garden compositions, and the trees alone are attractive. They are good as a container culture and as a living green fence. They also have medicinal benefits - they clean and ionize the air.

In the nursery, plants of this species (height from 100 to 250 cm) will cost from 700 rubles to 15 thousand rubles.

Propagation by cuttings - planting thuja in open ground

The elementary method is using cuttings. Even in a jar of water they take root beautifully. Cuttings are made in autumn time when the shoots are strong and powerful. If you decide to use this method, do not fill the container with too much water. Let it be only at the bottom, otherwise the roots may rot. And put a few branches there - no more than three pieces.

If you want to get stronger plants, it is better to plant the cuttings in a greenhouse. Take shoots with woody bark that are 2 or 3 years old. You can take a young shoot 50 cm long with a piece of “heel” (wood from the trunk). This result is obtained by abruptly cutting off a branch.

Where we plant thuja, we need to achieve a humidity of 70 percent. To do this, you need to purchase a humidifier or constantly spray water. There should be a lot of light, so we make the walls and roof of the greenhouse transparent. You can also use backlighting. The soil is usual for thuja (soil, peat, sand).

The cuttings (with the needles removed at the bottom) need to lie in water for a couple of hours, and after that they are treated with potassium permanganate and dug into the grooves, deepening them by 2–3 cm. Then we spray them regularly and wait for new shoots to appear. Then you need to harden the plants by taking them out of the greenhouse into the air. In November, we cover the seedlings well and send them to winter.

Growing seeds and caring for a tree at home

This method takes longer, but has considerable benefits. For example, to make a living green fence, you can’t buy enough plants – it will be expensive. And if you plant the seeds, then in 3-4 years you can get seedlings yourself. And in any quantities. The first year will give an increase of only 7 cm, but the second – already 50!

To plant seeds, you need to prepare them correctly. This is done in August-September, while the cones are not yet open. They are cut off and placed in one layer on a spread oilcloth where it is dry and warm. When they open, you can take the seeds and plant them. This must be done immediately, otherwise after 3 months the germination rate will decrease.

In the fall, we either sow a bed on the site or plant the seeds in a box. One part sand, 4 parts peat and 2 parts earth - best option. Then we draw grooves every 5 or 6 cm, and put the seeds in them. Sprinkle 1 cm of earthen mixture on top. The top of the box should rise 2 or 3 cm above its level. We tamp it down and moisten it a little.

We place the box in an area under a tree and wait for winter to end. As soon as the earth warms up to 10–15 degrees, the seeds will begin to germinate. A couple of weeks will pass and the shoots will appear. These seedlings do not yet have scales, but needles. Only after 2 or 3 months will the needles be the same as those of an adult tree.

Twice a month we fertilize with complex mineral fertilizer. And then we leave it again for the winter. In the first autumn, you can plant it in the garden bed after 30 cm for growing (a school). Add ash, humus and nitroammophoska.

For more information on how to plant thuja, watch the video:

Growing thuja is not too difficult. The seedlings are not afraid of either Russian cold or dry summers. You can grow a tree either from cuttings or from seeds fallen from collected cones.

Wherein:

• bright greenery will delight you in all seasons of the year;
• the trees will live for a very long time, without requiring special care;
• healing and pleasant pine aroma purifies the air and improves health;
• A thuja hedge, skillfully decorated, can become a source of pride.