Thuja columnar

From the list of ornamental herbaceous conifers, the most famous and often purchased is the "western" "columnar" thuja shrub. The native lands of this species are considered to be the territory of North America. Thuja columnar is distinguished by a rather simple cultivation, a thickened crown and a light aroma. The plant is used for the manufacture of various compositions or "hedges".

Thuja columnar: description

Thuja "western" "columnar" is growing trees and shrubs. She has a long life span. While maintaining favorable conditions, the plant will calmly live for at least a hundred years, and sometimes there are specimens reaching two hundred years.

Under natural conditions, the growth of a plant stem grows by two hundred and fifty centimeters. And in the realities of the dacha - up to one hundred centimeters. It has a slow growth rate. The crown has a figure in the form of a pyramid or column, the part growing from below is very arched.

The branches are located strictly horizontally, strongly touch the trunk. The usual crown diameter reaches approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty centimeters.

The root system of thuja is columnar strong, but it is distinguished by its small size. The bark is red and brown, even and smooth. Old columnar thuja have a gray and brown bark, and to the touch it is not even, but in waves.

The trunks are covered with a large number of deepened and elongated cracks. Small coniferous scales have a length of about two to four millimeters, are placed on the branches with an overlap, their color is green.

Every two to three years, the needles are renewed, falling in small shoots. This occurs evenly, which means that the stunning external data of the bush does not change. The branches have a richly pronounced smell of needles.

Although thuja columnar is considered a permanently green herb, in the winter season its crown changes color to yellow and green at the same time, or pale brownish.

Thuja columnar forms single monoecious small flowers on the upper parts of the branches. The fruits are small cones with two yellow seeds, their length reaches one centimeter.

The wood of the thuja "western" is soft, but quite powerful, in the cut it has a red color. It is characterized by a lack of resin and is not subject to rot disease at all.

Due to this specificity, wood could be an excellent material for the manufacture of furniture products. However, frequent use in this direction is hampered by the slow growth of the mass, as well as the structure itself, consisting of fibers.

The fame of thuja columnar lies in its uncomplicated agricultural technology. She also feels great in urban realities: exhaust gases, dust, smoke do not cause any harm to the plant.

The shrub is easy to change the place of growth, pruning and trimming, and some varieties do not require crown formation at all. This variety has a high level of cold resistance and can withstand winter frosts down to -36 degrees without shelter.

Thuja columnar - varieties

Coloniform thuja varieties differ in several ways. Depending on the shape of the shrub, there are the same varieties:

• Weeping.
• In the shape of a ball.
• Half spherical.
• Column-shaped.

Depending on the color palette, shrubs are:

• With variegated leaves.
• The leaves are greenish.

According to the rate of growth, thuja columnar is divided into:

• Whole-growing - from five meters.
• Half dwarf - three to five meters.
• Dwarf - no more than three meters.
• Miniature - below three meters.

Variety "Brabant"

Photo of the Brabant variety

This variety is characterized by accelerated growth and has a conical shape. Dimensions are small: height is about four to five meters, diameter is about one and a half to two meters. Intensely greenish needles turn slightly brownish in the winter season.

This variety has a high level of cold resistance and simple growing requirements. It grows well on light, moist soil, but with proper agricultural technology, it will feel quite good on dried soil.

This variety prefers a sufficient amount of sunlight. However, to avoid burns from direct sunlight, it is worth choosing an area with partial shade. And the absence of strong and cold winds is also very desirable.

The crown responds perfectly to cutting, which means that it is possible to make all kinds of shapes from the bush without difficulty. It is possible to create a compacted fence from the combined shrubs.

Thuja columnar "Smaragd"

Photo of thuja Smaragd

The Smaragd variety has a crown in the form of a regular pyramid. Dimensions similar to the varieties of the previous species. However, the growth rate is very slow. The crown is a deep dark greenish color. And most importantly, the color does not change throughout the year.

Thuja columnar Smaragd prefers fertile soil and loves constant watering. This type of thuja has a high level of resistance to low temperatures. However, it is recommended to plant it in an area with available shelter from cold and strong winds.

A light or partially shaded area is suitable for disembarkation. Cutting is very easy. And due to the slow growth of the shrub, pruning is not required often.

The "live" fence of this variety is not very compacted, because the upper parts of the shrubs do not touch. However, trees look great in a single copy and in group plantings, and they also look amazing in various compositions.

"Fastigiata"

Photo of thuja Fastigiada

The Fastigiata variety has an accelerated growth rate. The tree has a narrowed, compacted crown. Non-solid needles have a dark greenish color and a rich aroma. The color of the crown does not change in the winter season. This variety prefers to grow in areas with loamy soils, with ample sunlight and moisture.

Thuja columnar Fastigiata belongs to the group of plants with a high level of resistance to cold. However, young shrubs most often get burned by direct sunlight at the end of the winter season, which means it is better to cover them.

For a faster and easier adaptation, it is advised to use a layer of mulch. It helps to retain moisture and shorten the mulching procedure. Thuja looks great in a variety of compositions. As a "live" fence, it forms a compacted wall of a sufficiently high height.

This variety is considered to be a plant with a fairly long life cycle, which lasts about two hundred years.

Thuja columnar Columna

The height of the shrub reaches six meters with a crown diameter of one meter two hundred centimeters-one meter three hundred centimeters. The needles do not change their bright greenish color throughout the year. Short branches grow strictly horizontally. Thuja grows quite quickly: by about twenty centimeters every year.

Photo of thuja Columna

This variety has a high level of cold resistance, but does not tolerate drought.

Territories with partial shade are suitable for planting it. In the spring season, it is necessary to install a shelter from direct sunlight. It is necessary to trim the thuja in a timely manner. Columna is used to form unconsolidated "living" fences, to recreate alleys.

"Sunkist"

This variety has a slightly non-standard appearance.The needles are quite large, larger than those of other varieties, and the branches are branchy. This adds a slightly sloppy appearance to a not very large shrub (about five to six meters in height).

The crown has a golden or yellowish color, beautifully iridescent in sunlight.

Photo of thuja Sunkist

For planting, it is recommended to choose an area with sufficient sunlight or partial shade.

In full shade, the crown of the shrub thins and changes color to greenish. This variety is unpretentious in terms of agricultural technology. However, it prefers rather damp ground. Doesn't pay attention to frosts and strong and cold winds.

To avoid burns from direct sunlight during the winter season, it is recommended to install a protection.

This variety of thuja looks great as a single planted specimen. However, besides this, it looks great in a variety of compositions and in the form of a "live" fence. Looks great against the darkened background of other plants. For the formation of shrubs, the method of cutting topiary is used.

"Golden Globe"

This variety belongs to the ball-shaped species. The diameter of the shrub reaches one meter to one meter two hundred centimeters. Thickened branches are placed strictly vertically and have a non-voluminous figure.

The color of the shrub differs in originality: the central section of the foliage is greenish, and the needles are yellowish at the edges. With the arrival of the winter season, these varieties turn into beautiful copper shrubs, and in the spring season they acquire a golden color again.

Photo of thuja Golden Globes

Due to the root system, located almost on the surface, too compacted and moist soil is not suitable for thuja.

This type of thuja prefers areas with a sufficient amount of sunlight. However, it feels good in partial shade, although in the presence of shade it loses its variegated foliage.

Thuja columnar Golden Globe has a high level of cold resistance. However, the plant must be protected from direct spring sunlight. It is not necessary to trim the thuja, only sanitary pruning is necessary in the spring season.

This type is a great addition to all kinds of compositions, and is also used in the form of small fences.

Thuja columnar Globoza

This variety also belongs to the group of ball-shaped bushes. Its dimensions are slightly larger than the previous representative. Globose slow growth rates are inherent. However, the life cycle reaches two hundred years.

Photo of thuya Globoza

The needles are large and not hard scales. The color of the crown changes depending on the season: in the spring season it acquires a light greenish color, in the summer season it acquires a dark greenish color, in the winter season it acquires a brownish color.

The variety prefers moist soil. However, care must be taken that the liquid does not stagnate. The thickened crown must be trimmed. This procedure stimulates the rejuvenation of the branches. It needs to be arranged every two years.

The species has a high level of frost resistance and grows well in full shade. It is recommended to cover with a snow cover during the winter season. This variety looks great in a variety of planting types.

Variety "Holmstrup"

This figure in the form of a column of this dwarf bush (approximately two to three meters in height) looks great even without the shaping procedure. The needles are placed like scales, they have a rich greenish color.

Photo of thuja Holmstrup

All types of land are suitable for the shrub, including clay. However, give preference to loamy wet ones.

Various types of lighting are suitable for this variety. The plant can grow in full shade, but then the volume of the crown is lost.Holmstrup is used in various types of landings. They feel great in urban environments.

"Teddy"

This miniature view has a ball-like shape. The branches are quite refined, but they are placed rather densely. Non-adult needles are quite soft, but they become harder over time. The height of the shrubs reaches forty centimeters.

Photo of Tui Teddy

This variety needs a sufficient amount of moisture. He also prefers areas with sufficient sunlight or partial shade. This view looks great on alpine slides, areas with a small size, or as a decoration for window sills and potted loggias.

How is the western columnar thuja grown? Care rules

When planting thuja columnar, it is necessary to remember the needs of all types separately. Otherwise, the shrubs will not be able to adapt and grow normally.

The depth of the planting hole depends on the root system and the size of the shrub. The root collar should be placed a couple of centimeters above the soil level. Immediately after planting, the thuja is watered, and a layer of mulch from wood chips or bark is placed around the trunk.

Instructions on agricultural techniques for the bush are provided below:

• constant watering.
• thujas that have reached the age of two years are fertilized with compost.
• fertilize twice every three months.
• digging up the earth once a year, as well as replacing the mulch layer.
• destruction of damaged parts.
• They are usually trimmed in the spring season, but some species require frequent pruning.

In the autumn season, it is necessary to establish a shelter from snow cover and direct sunlight.