Plant Database

Other Names:  Western Hemlock

Description:

A wonderfully full and soft textured variety with rich emerald green foliage on dense weeping branches; may be staked for height or allowed to cascade; needs adequate moisture, rich, acidic and organic soils and shelter from drying winds

Ornamental Features

Thorsen's Weeping Hemlock is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its highly ornamental weeping form. It has rich green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The glossy needles remain green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Thorsen's Weeping Hemlock is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a rounded form and gracefully weeping branches. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Thorsen's Weeping Hemlock is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Thorsen's Weeping Hemlock will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This shrub performs well in both full sun and full shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.