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One of the most popular plants for landscaping a garden are evergreen, coniferous species that can best create an atmosphere of comfort and relaxation. Hemlock Canadian Nana not only decorates the garden design with its luxurious look, but also makes it possible to inhale clean, fresh air. After all, like all conifers, it is a natural air purifier.
Description of the Canadian hemlock Nana
An evergreen low plant up to 2 m tall with a wide cone-shaped crown is widespread in Western Europe. Shoots of Nana’s hemlock hanging down to the bottom, which visually creates a cascade of greenery. The smooth bark closer to the venerable age of the tree acquires a brown tint and deep furrows. Canadian hemlock has small, flat needles up to 1,5 cm long, located on the branches in a comb-like manner. The color of the needles is dark green, shiny. It is soft and supple, very pleasant to the touch and in appearance. Cones – medium-sized, up to 2,5 cm long, oval in shape, grayish in color appear in the 2nd year of the plant’s life in autumn.
Canadian hemlock grows long and slowly. The annual growth in height is only 3 cm, in width – 5 cm. The culture is most common in North America and Europe, but today it can be observed in other parts of the world. The central regions of Our Country are no exception, in particular, the Moscow region, where Nana took pride of place in private household plots. A detailed description and photos clearly demonstrate the Canadian hemlock Nana in all its modest, not flashy beauty, which can become an excellent backdrop for other cultures.
Application in design
Canadian hemlock Nana is an ideal decoration for any garden and is used:
- for single landings;
- group compositions;
- creating hedges;
- sculptural cutting.
Even in small areas, the dwarf, compact culture of the Nana variety looks good. Its wide crown against the background of flowering plants looks even more chic, and hemlock transforms rocky areas beyond recognition. She demonstrates all the charm of dark green needles and a hanging crown in single plantings on the lawn.
Planting and caring for Canadian hemlock Nana
The main requirement for the successful cultivation of Canadian hemlock Nana, so that it develops according to its description, is sufficient soil moisture. It can grow both in the sun and in the shade. Ephedra develops poorly on calcareous soils, well – on fertile, fresh lands. Nana does not tolerate dense soils with a lack of oxygen, so loosening in this case is also one of the important methods of agricultural technology. The main characteristics of a coniferous tree are:
- in frost resistance, maintaining air temperatures up to 29 degrees below zero;
- intolerance to gas pollution and smoke in the air;
- the need for protective shelter from strong winds;
- sensitivity to soil compaction;
- intolerance to drought and heat;
- the ability to easily adapt to a haircut and maintain a curly shape.
Recommended dates
Planted hemlock Nana in the spring or before the onset of autumn. In the first case – at the beginning of April, in the second – at the end of August. During spring planting, the period is calculated in such a way that at least 14 days remain before the onset of stable heat; in autumn – until persistent snow cover, at least 1 month.
Site selection and soil preparation
The place for landing Canadian hemlock Nana should be protected from the winds. Provide such protection to conifers with the help of vertical gardening, trellises, arbors or fences. An excellent protection for the Canadian hemlock will be large-sized hardwood trees. The soil for planting Nana hemlock is prepared from a mixture of turf and foliage with the addition of sand 3-4 days before the day of planting.
Landing algorithm
- Planting holes are dug 70×80 cm in size with a distance between them of 1 – 1,5 m.
- On heavy soils, a drainage layer of gravel, sand or broken bricks of at least 20 cm is provided.
- Fertile soil is poured onto the drainage and a seedling is installed, making sure that the junction of the root and stem remains at ground level.
- The soil is compacted and watered abundantly.
Growing rules
Canadian hemlock does not tolerate transplantation well, so a permanent place on the site is initially selected for it. Mature plants are unpretentious, but young seedlings require special care. So, they must be protected from direct sunlight, frost, strong winds and drafts. In addition, the coniferous variety Nana:
- perfectly tolerates shading;
- absolutely not afraid of frost;
- feels great in soils with high acidity and high humidity;
- normally grows and develops in conditions of constant lack of sun: Canadian hemlock Nana needs 5 sunny days to please the owner with its luxurious appearance.
Watering and feeding schedule
Watering is an obligatory agricultural technique required by Canadian hemlock. It is important at the same time not to allow the soil to dry out in the summer season. The minimum watering rate for an adult tree is 1 bucket per week, provided that the entire plant is regularly irrigated with a watering can or hose. During a drought, the frequency of watering is increased by 2-3 times.
The first 2 – 3 years after planting the hemlock Nana does not require additional top dressing, since the soil contains all the nutrients necessary for active growth and development. In the future, Nana hemlock is fed annually in the spring with an organic solution or complex fertilizer for conifers. Mulching with humus maintains moisture in the soil and provides additional nutrition to the roots. The trunk circle is loosened shallowly – up to 10 cm.
Trimming rules
Proper planting and subsequent care of the Nana hemlock consists of regular pruning. It is carried out in the summer, forming a three-dimensional figure or giving the crown a spherical, cone-shaped, square shape. As the shoots grow, corrective pruning is performed, removing protruding, extra branches. The plant tolerates forming pruning well and retains its shape for a long time. In the first 3 years, the perennial does not need pruning, as it grows very slowly.
Preparation for winter
Nana hemlocks begin to prepare for winter in early November, when the first frosts have already announced themselves. The soil of the trunk circle is mulched, and young seedlings are covered with spruce branches or non-woven material. The same procedure for preparing for winter is carried out for adult breeds in regions where the air temperature drops below 29 degrees below zero. The shelter protects not only from the cold, but also from the bright sunlight in the spring, which the hemlock also does not tolerate well. If the shelter of an adult plant was not carried out for the winter, then at the end of February and in March the trees are protected from the sun and burning.
Pests and diseases
Canadian hemlock Nana is resistant to diseases and pests while providing optimal care. However, young or weakened trees often settle:
- spider mite;
- shield;
- moth butterfly;
- hemlock tick.
All of these pests are dangerous not only because they eat young needles, but also transmit infectious diseases. They are fought with the help of chemicals that can be used for hemlock. To prevent the appearance of pests and diseases, the tree must be regularly sprayed with water from a hose, and damaged shoots should be removed. Of the diseases, hemlock most often undergoes root rot caused by waterlogging and lack of fresh air. Only favorable conditions for the life of conifers can eliminate the risk of developing this disease.
Like all garden trees, Canadian hemlock is often attacked by rodents and hares that feed on young roots, branches and bark. Special traps and nets are placed against them, mulching is carried out with plants, the smell of which repels animals.
Conclusion
Canadian hemlock Nana is great for landscaping a garden. Due to winter hardiness, shade tolerance and slow growth, it feels great in places where other perennials cannot develop, decorating them with its original appearance and shape.