Western Hemlock

One of the most gorgeous of all the large conifers, the Western Hemlock is a soaring beauty, growing endlessly upwards, reaching in time well over 100 feet, and up to 30 feet across. Choose the planting site carefully so it can mature successfully one day. Since a young tree will grow as much as 2 feet a year, it will soon be a respectable size in your garden – perhaps 20 feet in 10 years – with much more to come. It has elegant glossy foliage, with flat needles of two distinct lengths, a feature that explains its species name. The bark is an attractive gray-brown, scaly, with vertical cracks. It is the state tree of Washington, and an important lumber tree in the West, but also a terrific choice for a larger garden in warm to hot zones, growing well near the sea. Branch tips tend to droop, and older trees may carry a crop of small, brown cones. Grow it as a specimen out on a lawn, or in the corner of your property. Needs space to mature, so not suitable for small gardens.

• Tall, picturesque conifer for larger gardens
• Flat, glossy needles of rich green
• Full, dense growth, and fast-growing
• Grows well in warm zones and coastal areas
• Shade tolerant when young, so can be planted under existing trees

Plant the Western Hemlock in full sun, although young trees are very shade tolerant, although growth may be slower. Plant in a spot where it has room to mature. It grows best in moist, acidic and well-drained soil, but will grow adequately in most ordinary garden soils, with compost added and used as mulch. Water regularly when young, and give deep soakings during long dry periods in the early years. It isn’t eaten by deer, it is resistant to verticillium wilt, and doesn’t normally have pest or disease issues. No trimming is needed, but watch that that leading stem remains single, and doesn’t divide. If it does, cut back one of the leaders to half it’s length.