Amazing varieties of folded thuja will take their rightful place at their summer cottage
Thuja folded is one of the most common evergreen conifers. Belongs to the Cypress family, a kind of gymnosperms of the genus Thuja... The homeland of this tree is East Asia, as well as North America. It is widely used in landscape design, in particular for the creation of hedges.
Thuja folded: description
If the plant is cultivated, then it reaches a more modest height - no more than 15 m. Small trees stand out with a fluffy crown. They were developed specifically for the decoration of gardens and parks. In the Russian climate, they are less hardy than the more popular variety. thuja western.
The trunk of the thuja is folded, covered with a fibrous crown, which has a reddish-brown tint. It is because of this feature that this tree is often called red. cedar... Another unofficial name is western red cedar. Its crown is quite thick, often characterized by a pyramidal shape. The leaves of the plant are very narrow. Their width rarely exceeds 1 mm. As they grow, they lay on top of each other, acquiring a gloss with a characteristic shine on the front surface. On the back of the leaves there are pronounced stripes of white.
This variety stands out for its oval-oblong fruits. They are presented in the form of cones, the length of which reaches about 12 cm. In two fruits, there are most often two seeds. They are quite flat and have two wings.
Thuja folded: photo, planting and care
Despite the fact that this plant is not very whimsical to growing conditions, when leaving it, you still need to adhere to certain rules. Folded thuja, planting and care of which is very simple, can grow both in the shade and in direct sunlight. It is advisable to use a well-drained soil with a high percentage of moisture. With dry soil, the growth of the tree will be noticeably slower, it will be more difficult for it to develop. In such conditions, the crown of the plant will begin to thin out noticeably. Otherwise, young specimens are quite stable.
The pace glaze determined depending on the condition of the soil. If it is moist enough, you can skip watering. However, it should be borne in mind that excessive drying of the soil should not be allowed in the summer. Some experts recommend watering at least once every 10 days. This is the most optimal period for a mature tree or bush. One copy takes at least 10 liters of water. In the evening, the crown of the plant can be sprayed. Doing this is highly discouraged during the day, when the sun is shining strongly. If the seedlings are still young, then the procedure is preferably carried out daily.
In winter, this plant is able to withstand a drop in temperature down to -30 ° C. However, severe frosts can adversely affect the condition of thuja, therefore it is still recommended to grow it in a place relatively protected from low temperatures and wind. Fertilizers can be used complex mineral fertilizing, which are for conifers.
Thuja varieties, which are rather variegated, should be grown in well-lit places, otherwise the plants will quickly lose their decorative effect. In areas that are too dark, their needles will quickly become dull.
What are the varieties?
Today, several varieties of folded thuja are known. Each of them has its own characteristics and stands out for its high aesthetic value. Due to their typical shapes, they look equally great both in groups and alone. The following varieties are distinguished:
- The name Thuja folded Vipcord comes from the English name "Whipcord", which is often used in scientific literature. The translation of this word sounds like "twine", which perfectly characterizes this variety, which is characterized by threadlike shoots.
- Thuja folded Gelderland has a bushy shape. Its crown is developing rapidly. Specimens over 10 years old often reach a height of up to 4 m. The crown of this variety has a glossy surface. In winter, it takes on a bronze tint.
- Thuja folded Kankan is a small tree. Mature plants grow to a height of 1.2 meters. This is a fairly frost-resistant variety that is not picky about growing conditions. However, even in the most favorable environment, its growth remains slow.
- Thuja folded Kornik is a rather powerful tree, the crown of which has a pyramidal shape. Its shoots are wide, the needles are bright green, the branches are short, slightly hanging at the ends. The plant, under favorable conditions, can grow up to 5 centuries. For rapid growth and normal formation, the plant requires fertile and moist soil.
- Thuja folded Zebrina Extra Gold stands out for its fast growth. The branches of this variety are spaced apart. Due to its large and decorative needles, the tree is often used in landscaping gardens and parks. The name is due to the fact that in summer and autumn the plant is colored like a zebra - it is yellow with golden-green blotches.
- Thuja folded Forever Goldie. This variety is characterized by a conical crown. The needles of the plant are yellowish-green. The color remains even in winter. It is most often used to form various landscape compositions. Adult specimens reach a height of 2.5 meters. Their diameter does not exceed 1.5 meters. Growth rates are relatively average.
Almost all garden varieties of thuja lend themselves well to cutting. They can be shaped in any shape and used to decorate garden areas. They are great for creating vibrant contrasts in compositions of various trees and shrubs.