The continental climate of the Urals is characterized by warm summers, sometimes even hot (up to 24 ° С), and frosty winters with average temperatures of about −20 ° С. Not all varieties of arborvitae are suitable for such growing conditions, but the choice remains wide among dwarf varieties and large-sized ones.
Thuja in the Urals: landing and care
Thuja is a coniferous tree (Thuja) from the Cypress family (Cupressaceae). An evergreen shrub or tree can have a height of 1 to 20 m or more. Each plant is monoecious. The crown is formed from twigs that have a lignified last year and a delicate green, regrowth this year. Frost-resistant species feel great in urban environments with polluted dusty air.
Thuja occidentalis smaragd
Varieties for growing in the Urals
The most widespread in the Ural home gardens and parks are varieties of western thuja, which can be found in almost any specialized nursery.
Emerald
Danish selection. The needles of a bright green or slightly yellowish hue on a tree up to 4 m high and up to 5 m wide look very impressive. The crown is easily formed in the form of a regular pyramid, and remains thick after trimming. It is not necessary to trim every year, it is enough to correct it every few years. Frost resistance up to −42 ° С (zone 2b).
Brabant
It differs in height up to 3.5 m. The crown, which grows rapidly every year without trimming, takes the form of a column. Loved by gardeners for their ability to maintain the color of the needles unchanged in dark green throughout the year. It requires fertile loose soil, withstands frosts up to −35 ° C.
Thuja occidentalis brabant
Joseri
One of the dwarf varieties with needles of saturated emerald color. The spherical crown can reach a height of not more than 1 m, and has a 3-year update cycle. In the autumn, the needles acquire a bronze hue. Undemanding to air humidity and soil fertility, but loves watering. You can plant in a pot. Winter hardiness up to −34 ° С.
Thuja occidentalis hoseri
Thuja folded Zebrina
Variegated needles combine bright green and yellow shades. Crohn's cone. Reaches a height of up to 10-12 m. By 10 years, the span of the crown reaches 1.5 m at a height of about 2.5 m. It prefers very moist soil, easily tolerates shading. She accepts haircuts well, is suitable for hedges. Winter hardiness is average up to −30 ° С.
Thuja Plicata Zebrina
Thuja folded Kornik
Variety of Polish selection. Green branches have golden tips. It grows slowly: a 10-year-old tree does not exceed 3 m in height. It easily tolerates shade, but cannot grow in conditions of drought. Needs sprinkling in the summer. The crown is formed by horizontal branches, only slightly hanging at the tips. Frost resistance up to −35 ° С.
Thuja Plicata Kornik
Frost resistant varieties
The maximum resistance to low temperatures are the following varieties of western arborvitae.
Golden Globe
Dwarf shrub with a spherical crown of a salad golden hue. Annual growth does not exceed 10 cm. By the age of 20 years, the diameter of the bush is not more than 120 cm. Haircuts are not required, only sanitary pruning. The maximum height is 80 cm. In the autumn, the needles acquire a bronze tone, which again turns yellow by spring. Frost resistance up to −42 ° С.
Thuja occidentalis golden globe
Sunkist
A very slowly growing shrub with a cone-shaped crown, giving no more than 5 cm of growth per year in height and width. An adult plant does not exceed 3 m in height. The needles in bright light take on a yellow color or a darker bronze hue. Shade-tolerant, drought-resistant, easily tolerates waterlogging of the soil. It withstands frost up to −42 ° С.
Thuja occidentalis sunkist
Reingold
Dwarf tree ovoid. The maximum height is up to 2.5 m, and the width is up to 1.5 m. The annual growth is not more than 10 cm. In summer, the needles are green-yellow, and in winter bronze-brown. He likes top dressing, plentiful watering, bright sun. Winter can withstand up to −40 ° С.
Thuja occidentalis rheingold
Teddy
It is considered one of the smallest varieties of thuja, since by the age of 10 the bush height does not exceed 30 cm. In total, the plant can grow only up to 50 cm. The annual growth is on average about 2-3 cm. The soft needle needles have a dark green hue, and By autumn it becomes bronze. Prefers partial shade. Frost resistance up to −31 ° С.
Thuja occidentalis teddy
Problems with caring for thuja outdoors
The only serious difficulty for many varieties is the need for watering if it rains rarely in this area. Therefore, decorative thuja is discarded where the area is arid, and it is impossible to organize artificial irrigation.
The second condition for an attractive appearance is the formation of a crown. Slowly growing, the latest varieties practically do not need to be molded, but in fast-growing without pruning, the crown can acquire a loose untidy appearance.
Basic rules for caring for thuja
Before buying a new variety, it is important to clarify in the nursery what irrigation regimen a young seedling requires. Adult plants become less demanding, it is easier to care for them, but young ones can die with a lack of moisture. In the evenings and mornings, not only basal irrigation is carried out, but also sprinkling, which is mandatory for a number of varieties. When spraying needles, street dust is washed off, settling in large quantities on rough needles. Stop watering by October, when sap flow stops until spring.
A modern technique for caring for thuja at home offers to abandon cultivation in favor of mulching. Surface roots are easily damaged when loosening, but they also do not like weeds, so they sprinkle near-stem circles with needles, sawdust, and small pebbles.
Propagation is possible by cuttings and seeds.
Thujas need extra feeding often. Typically, a small amount of nitrogen-containing fertilizer is introduced in the spring to stimulate the growth of young shoots. In summer, you can make a small amount of potash fertilizer. If planted in soil with nutrient compounds, then the next time fertilizing will be needed only in the third year.
Important! Excess fertilizer leads to prolonged and abundant flowering, after which many cones form. This affects the decorativeness of a tree or shrub not in the best way, since nutrition is directed to the growth of seeds, and not needles.
Site selection and soil preparation
The best soil for thuja is peaty, fertile with a little sand, breathable. Poverty is not an obstacle; annual nutrition is enough.
Most varieties like bright light, but can withstand penumbra well. Before planting, the soil is dug up, clean sand is added for loosening, and in the fall, before spring planting, humus or compost.
How to plant a thuja correctly
In nurseries, it is best to buy 3-year-old seedlings in containers. This one does not need to be cooked; you can immediately plant it by simple transshipment in a previously prepared pit. If the root system is open, then before planting for 6 hours the seedling is soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate, and then the same amount in a solution of a growth stimulator.
They dig a landing pit with a reserve, since a drainage layer of pebbles, broken brick, expanded clay is poured on its bottom. Depending on the variety, the distance between the plants is maintained at 0.5-5 m. It is best to buy ready-made soil intended for the Cypresses for backfill, and to add a little ash and sand into it at home.
Fill the roots so that the root neck after tamping and watering is flush with the soil level. It will not be superfluous to establish a support to which the trunk is tied in order to avoid subsequent skewing.
Note! The near-trunk circle is abundantly mulched; peat, sawdust, and small chips can be used.
Shelter for the winter
In order for the young plant to go into rest mode and not to suffer during frosts, the following is performed:
- Since October, watering is completely stopped, they do not fertilize, and do not perform molding.
- The crown is covered with burlap or agricultural cloth, and then tied with a cord. This measure will protect the branches from damage under the weight of the snow.
- The trunk spud and mulch.
- Take shelter in the spring when the weather is warm.
Thuja pruning in spring
For all varieties, the optimal time for forming the crown is spring and August. The role of the event is sanitary, since it is important to remove all weak, broken, damaged branches. If necessary, the crown is shaped, but not more than 1/3 of the shoot is removed.
Thuja for the continental climate is one of the most successful evergreen conifers. It has a great winter, it looks beautiful all year round, both against the background of greenery and surrounded by snow.
