Thuja in Siberia - planting and care, varieties for Siberia

It is grown in the garden, it looks beautiful, taking pride of place in an office, government house or apartment. The evergreen thuja tree pours out a fresh and pleasant aroma, filling the home with a holiday and an atmosphere of freedom. And certainly this plant cannot be called whimsical, because many of its species are able to survive in any conditions, be it a place with eternal heat or harsh winters.

Does thuja grow in Siberia

Biological scientists recommend growing frost-resistant varieties of evergreen shrubs in the northern regions of the country, which were imported from North America and Canada. In Siberian conditions, it is important to find a place where you can plant it, enrich the scarce soil, look after the moisture of the soil so that the plant has a beautiful and healthy appearance.

Planted alley of evergreen thuja shrubs - a beautiful decor and a place to relax

Thuja varieties for growing in Siberia

The Cypress family has only five types of thuja. The best of them in landscaping is thuja western. This is one of the few winter-hardy green shrubs that can take root even in Siberia.

In Siberia, the following varieties of western thuja are grown:

• Smaragd (Smaragd) is a resistant variety, the height of which can reach 5 m. It grows up to 10 cm per year;
• Hoseri is a fast growing variety. In one year, its growth increases to 2 m. It is used in the creation of a hedge;
• Brabant (Brabant) - low grade, round shape. Its height is not more than 50 cm;
• Danica (Danica) is a well-known and recognized spherical variety with a height of 60 cm.

Frost-resistant varieties of thuja for Siberia

In the northern regions of Russia, for example, in Barnaul or Altai, some varieties of thuja are used that easily tolerate low temperatures.

Cypress:

• Columna. The height of the shrub is up to 6 m, the diameter is 1.5 m. The crown is dense, compact, horizontal shoots. The tree is dark green. It grows by 20 cm per year. It requires moist and fertile soil. Gives excellent results when grown in partial shade. During a drought period, this evergreen shrub dies if not properly maintained and cared for;
• Holmstrup (Holmstrur) is a round tree. The height of the trunk is about 3 m, the diameter of the crown is 1 m. Dense curliness and color fastness distinguish the plant from other varieties. For a year, it grows by about 12 cm. Loves shady and light places;
• Fastigiata. The shoots of this tree are pressed to its center, the color of the needles is light green. It is shaped like a cypress tree. In adulthood, its height reaches 6 m. Brown cones are almost invisible on the tree;
• Sunkist. This coniferous plant can be recognized by its height, which reaches 5 m. Its crown has a diameter of 2 m. The shrub is greenish-yellow in color. For 10 years it grows up to 2 m. Light-loving and resistant to extreme low temperatures variety;
• Wagneri is an egg-shaped shrub. Grows up to 3 m in height and 1.5 m in width. Needs a constantly moist soil. The plant does not require cutting;
• Cloth of Gold. This plant is cone-shaped. Its height is 2 m. The needles are needle-like. Does not tolerate abundant moisture. Loves both direct sunlight and partial shade.

Problems when caring for thuja outdoors

Growing thuja is difficult. As with other horticultural activities, there are some difficulties you may encounter here.

Siberian thuja is demanding on the soil in which it is planted, namely:

• sandy ground for thuja is not suitable. Moisture in such soil does not linger for a long time, and the root system has nothing to feed on;
• high density is visible in clay soil. Such a land is deficient in oxygen;
• the territory of lowlands with peat soil is in no way suitable for growing thuja in the open field.

Thuja grown in Siberia requires a properly organized irrigation regime:

• in sunny weather, watering should be done once a week. Pour one bucket of water under one tree;
• in the summer heat, thuja is poured with two buckets of water.

When transplanting a shrub, the root collar of the plant should not be covered. With an improper planting of a thuja, the following symptoms appear:

• the significantly darkened bark loses its original appearance;
• the branches of the lower flat leaves die off.

All conifers require organic and nitrogen fertilizers. It is required to add them:

• directly when planting a tree;
• every spring, as coniferous shrubs need mineral fertilizers (iron and potassium).

Caring for an evergreen tree requires patience and love

Basic rules on how to care for thuja

There are some established rules for caring for an evergreen tree:

• before planting, it is necessary to take into account what light conditions are suitable for a particular variety. With insufficient sun and dry land, thuja bushes can thin out;
• in the dry season, they should be watered by pouring 15-20 liters of water under the bush twice a week. Sprinkling is carried out with the same frequency;
• in the spring, it is advisable to make top dressing with a special preparation of nitroammofosk;
• loosen the soil near the roots carefully and with care, as you can damage the root system;
• for mulching thuja, sawdust, compost and even rotted bark will be useful.

Site selection and soil preparation

According to gardeners, the Cypress family is most comfortable to grow in the country or near a private house. For this light-loving plant, it is better to choose slightly shaded places. It dries out in the sun and does not tolerate winter well. A tree planted in the shade or in a draft may not be so lush, and the color of flat leaves will noticeably fade. A more suitable planting is a plot with black soil.

How to plant thuja correctly

Coniferous shrub takes root well on slightly acidic and neutral soils, loves moist and drained soil. The tree takes on a magnificent decorative form when turf, sand, humus and peat are part of the mixture.

The distance between the bushes depends on the variety of the selected plant. If we neglect this, then the needles will begin to turn yellow, the leaves will gradually dry out and fall off.

There should be at least 1-1.5 m between thujas.To plant needles bushes for decorating a front garden or flower bed, maintain a distance of 0.5-2 m.

Repeated transplants of the plant do not affect its further development. It is advisable to plant young trees in partial shade in spring. At this time, the soil warms up enough, but frequent westerly winds can damage the leaves of the bushes, so it is advisable to plant thuja in a place safely sheltered without drafts. The pit should be 0.7 m deep and approximately 1 m in diameter.

Proper planting is the key to the health of not only the plant, but also the environment

Shelter for the winter

Young seedlings, which can be damaged during severe frosts, require special attention to preparation for winter. With the arrival of frost, the shrub is covered with pine needles or special material, for example, black agrotex. It protects the tree from both frost and the spring sun, which can damage the crown.

Pruning thuja in spring

In order for a coniferous tree to have a beautiful shape and appearance, it is necessary to prune in the spring. Cutting in the spring serves as a wellness treatment for the plant. It is carried out with pruning shears or garden shears, cutting no more than 1/3 of the length of the stem. Dry and diseased branches, broken shoots should be carefully removed.

Thuja in Siberia (planting and care) requires special attention due to the climatic conditions in the region. Despite some problems that may appear when growing ephedra, its pickiness will give pleasant minutes to lovers of green spaces. If you follow all the planting rules and take into account the wishes of gardeners, then thuja in Siberia will delight you for more than one year.