Thuja - types and varieties. Thuja occidentalis Thuja occidentalis with yellow needles

Tall green thuja trees with flat branches located in different planes form continuous screens, limiting and shaping the space, forming closed landscape areas. The play of shades of color in folds and shading created by multidirectional branches makes the textured surface expressive, creating a stunning impression. Unpretentious plants They tolerate pruning well and are great for creating dense hedges and all kinds of green shapes, designing rocky hills and driveways.

Types of thuja

Several types of thuja are grown in culture, on the basis of which breeders have developed many different varieties, which include columnar, pyramidal, spherical and cushion-shaped forms of different colors and shades. The greatest selection diversity is distinguished by the western, eastern and folded thujas.

After you choose a variety of thuja suitable for your garden, use our article “”, which will help you: choose the right seedling, plant and grow a beautiful tree or shrub from it.

Western thuja (Thuja occidentalis)

Large trees up to 20 m high naturally grow in the forests of North America. The crown is formed in the form of a pyramid narrowed at the top and becomes rounded with age. The reddish-brown bark cracks and peels off, hanging in long strips. The needles are green, flat, light on the underside. Small cones, 1–1.5 cm long, ripen in the fall and quickly fall off.

Danica

A delightful dwarf variety of Danish selection was obtained in 1948. An adult plant reaches a height of half a meter and develops slowly. The dense crown forms a perfectly rounded ball of deep green color. What gives this thuja a special charm is its wavy surface formed by fan-shaped branches placed in vertical plane. The needles are bright in summer and tend to turn brown in winter. The tree is compact and great for planting in mixed borders and for landscaping rock gardens.

Fastigiata

The well-known variety of German selection is a slender, dense tree more than 15 m in height. Development is rapid, annual growth reaches 20–30 cm. The columnar crown, widened at the bottom and narrowed at the top, is formed by strong skeletal branches directed vertically.

The side branches are flat, horizontally placed, curled at the ends and covered with dark green needles. It propagates well by seeds, but the resulting seedlings may differ greatly from the mother plant.

Thuja orientalis

The name Thuja orientalis is assigned to a species that actually does not belong to the genus Thuja, although it is very similar in appearance. It would be more correct to call this decorative conifer Platycladus orientalis or Biota orientalis. The species originates from Korea and China, where it grows singly or in small groups on rocky, poor soils in a temperate climate.

It develops slowly, mainly in the form of a tree, reaching 5–10 m in height, growing even higher in favorable conditions. In cold regions it takes the form of a shrub. The crown is pyramidal or cone-shaped with a wide base. The bark is reddish-brown, peeling off in strips.

The flat, fan-shaped branches are directed vertically and covered with bright green scaly needles. Young plants, likewise, may be distinguished by needle-like, sharp needles. In winter, the needles radically change color - they turn brown or yellow.

Aurea Nana

The dwarf variety is popular in regions with temperate or warm climates; in cold winters it requires shelter. Despite some whimsicality, the plant is loved for the bright light green “grassy” color of its needles, its cone-shaped crown, which becomes ovoid over the years, and its slow development. By the age of ten it reaches 0.8–1 m in height; an adult tree grows up to one and a half meters and is darker in color.

In winter, the color changes, the needles acquire a golden-bronze hue. The plant is capable of displaying rich colors only in sunny areas and moist soils; in this case, Aurea Nana will serve as a real decoration for a flower garden, rock garden or mixborder.

Justynka

A spectacular dwarf, columnar-shaped variety of Polish selection. By the age of ten, the tree grows to 1–1.2 m. Formative branches are directed upward, the branches are fan-shaped, located in a vertical plane, the crown is dense, with dark green flattened needles. It is noted as a cold-resistant plant; it winters well in temperate latitudes. Looks great in rockeries and small mixborders.

Morgan

The unusual thuja was obtained by Australian breeders and is distinguished by a dense pyramidal crown of fan-shaped branches of golden yellow color. In winter, the tree becomes even more attractive, acquiring a bright reddish-bronze color, sometimes with an orange tint. It develops slowly, growing 5–7 cm per year, reaching a height of 70 cm by the age of ten.

Thuja plicata

Huge trees of this species in the natural conditions of the Pacific coast of North America grow up to 60 m, due to which the species received another name - giant thuja (T.gigantea). At the latitude of St. Petersburg, the tree reaches 12–15 m, but is prone to freezing in severe winters. The crown is low, thick, spreading, the branches are directed horizontally or obliquely upward, the side branches are drooping. The needles are scaly, long, emerald green, with a whitish stripe on the underside.

About 50 varieties have been bred due to large sizes The species is often planted in parks; for garden plots it is recommended to choose dwarf and slow-growing varieties.

Whipcord

A wonderful dwarf variety of American selection grows as a tree with a spherical crown, reaching 1.5 m. The shoots are large, sloping, long sharp needles flow down, giving the thuja an exotic look. In the cold season, the color becomes bronze.

It grows slowly, no more than 7–10 cm per year, requires an open area and sufficient moisture, and is frost-resistant. Vipcord looks exceptional in single plantings against a background of stones, and is effective in standard form.

Zebrina

A slow-growing variegated variety with a wide-conical crown, loose in young plants and dense in adults. On poor soils and northern regions grows 7–10 cm per year, reaching 2.5 m in height and 1.5 m in diameter by the age of ten. In favorable conditions, on nutritious soils, it produces annual growth of up to 15–20 cm.

The skeletal branches are spreading, the side branches are drooping, covered with shiny scale-like needles of a juicy green tone, young shoots with creamy white or golden transverse wide stripes. A lush, elegant tree is most suitable for solitaire planting.

Originally grows in central Japan, on the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. In Japanese culture, the species is considered one of the five sacred trees of Kiso, and in ancient times this thuja was prohibited from being cut down. Large beautiful tree with vertically directed spreading branches forming a pyramidal crown with a wide base, reaches a height of 20 m. In cultivation it grows up to 6–9 m, but in natural conditions old trees can grow huge - up to 35 meters or more.

The bark is fibrous, reddish-brown in color. The needles have a characteristic strong odor, flat, matte, bright green, the reverse side is bluish-silver. Japanese thuja is frost-resistant, but suffers from a lack of moisture; it develops better on nutritious, well-drained loams. Open areas or sparse partial shade are preferred.

Korean thuja (Thuja koraiensis)

A spreading shrub or conical tree with a loose crown, growing up to 7–8 m in height. It grows wild in forests, on the mountain slopes and valleys of China and Korea, where it is considered a fairly winter-hardy plant. The bark is reddish-brown, rough, the shoots are flat, with narrow blunt needles, silvery on the underside. The look is graceful and light thanks to light tone lacy branches with edges curved upward.

Species plants are available for purchase in nurseries; a few varietal varieties are rare.

Glauca Prostrata

A promising slow-growing variety with a mature plant height of up to 60 cm. The plant is showy, with graceful openwork branches similar to fern leaves, bluish-green in color with a silver lining. Light lush crown with spreading shoots it looks airy.

It grows poorly in deep shade, losing its decorative effect. An exceptional choice for mixed foreground plantings, looks great as a tapeworm against a background of dark plants.

Groups of thuja varieties according to growth rate, crown shape and color

The entire variety of thuja varieties can be divided into categories according to growth intensity and crown shape. Another important feature is the color of the needles. The most common among thujas are variations of various shades of green, golden-yellow plants are spectacular, blue-hued varieties are less common, most often these are a few representatives of the oriental thuja.

Pyramidal (cone-shaped)

Platycladus Pyramidalis Aurea

Beautiful variety thuja orientalis with a narrowed cone-shaped crown of juicy green color. It grows up to 4–6 m in height, the crown is formed by vertically directed branches, the apex is pointed. The overgrowing branches are small, densely covered with scaly needles of a yellowish-green color, which do not fade in winter.

The variety is characterized by moderate growth - up to 10 cm per year. An excellent choice for adding color to mixed conifer plantings or forming a colorful, slender hedge.

Kornik

A strong, lush tree with a pyramidal crown, growing densely from the ground itself, is a famous representative arborvitae. The crown is formed by elastic branches located horizontally and drooping. The needles are glossy, dark green, covered with silver stripes on the reverse side, becoming golden or bronze in winter.

The growth rate is average, by the age of ten the tree reaches 2.5–3 m in height and up to 1.5 m in diameter. To form a continuous hedge or screen, seedlings are placed every 0.8–1 m. Cornik looks great as a tapeworm.

Globular

Golden Globe

The round golden thuja was obtained by Dutch breeders in 1963 and is a mutation of the Woodwardii variety. The crown is assembled from flat small branches directed horizontally. It grows moderately, 7–8 cm per year, the diameter of an adult spherical shrub is 1–1.2 m. The needles are very light, shining golden-yellow in color, and after frosts they become reddish-copper.

For full coloring you need an open space. The variety works well in single plantings in flower beds and mixed borders, and is excellent in the original design of paths.

Hoseri

A slow-growing shrub is a variety western thuja Polish selection, grows 4–8 cm per year. The crown is rounded, even, formed by skeletal branches directed obliquely upward with small overgrowing branches and bristling young shoots, which is why the surface looks soft and velvety. The needles are small, smooth, emerald green, clear in color, turning bronze in winter.

The regular spherical crown reaches half a meter in diameter by ten years. In adulthood, the plant becomes flattened, acquiring a cushion shape, and can reach a diameter of more than a meter.

Columnar

Columna

One of the best columnar varieties, obtained in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. A tall, slender tree is characterized by an average growth rate; by the age of ten it reaches 3 m in height and 1.2–1.5 m in diameter; later it can grow up to 10 m, which is a unique characteristic of columnar-shaped thujas, which usually do not reach such sizes .

The narrow crown with a blunt rounded top is formed by horizontally directed branches, fan-shaped at the ends. Small glossy needles are smooth, dark green in color. The variety is frost-resistant, unpretentious, suitable for forming green screens that do not require cutting.

Brabant

Fast growing western thuja with a columnar or narrow cone-shaped crown. It grows actively, in favorable conditions it gives annual increments of up to 30 cm, reaching a height of 3.5–5 m. The growing branches are flat, multi-directional in the shape of a fan. The scaly needles are of a thick green tone, the color is stable and does not change with the arrival of cold weather. The crown surface is wavy and acquires a loose structure over the years. Used for group plantings and evergreen alleys.

Dwarf

Waterfield

Western thuja dwarf type is a rounded shrub with a dense crown, with age it becomes slightly elongated oval shape. By the age of ten it reaches a height of about 30–50 cm, growing 4–5 cm per year.

Shortened lateral branches are fan-shaped, delicate growths, light cream when emerging, make the surface textured, soft, similar to lichen. In winter, the needles become brownish-brown.

Zmatlik

Nice Czech variety western thuja dwarf type with vertically directed growth. The crown is columnar-shaped, narrow, up to 1.0–1.2 m high and up to half a meter wide. Seedlings and young plants have an indefinite, curved shape, and the plant itself seems disheveled.

Over time, due to the fan-shaped twisting branches, the dense surface acquires a patterned texture due to spirals and waves overlapping each other. The needles are small, dark green. It tolerates planting in the shade, but in this case the crown becomes loose, losing its amazing decorative effect.

Cushion-shaped

Umbraculifera

Cushion-shaped western thuja received in late XIX centuries by German breeders. It develops slowly, up to 7–10 cm per year, by the age of ten it grows about 1 m tall, forms a pressed wide crown with a diameter of more than 2 m, umbrella-shaped, rounded at the edge.

The branches are flexible, with densely growing side branches, curved and placed in different planes, which gives the surface a peculiar effect of water ripples. The growths are flat, covered with dark glossy needles with a bluish tint.

Golden Tuffet

Spectacular variety western thuja at a young age it is round in shape, later the crown becomes wide, cushion-shaped, reaching a height of 60 cm. The overgrowing branches are graceful, drooping, and located in different directions. On young growths, the needles have a delicate pinkish-golden tone; in bright sun they acquire an orange or bronze hue. A plant planted in the shade loses its warm tones, turns green, and the crown becomes sparse.

Golden (yellow)

Forever Goldy

Promising “ever-yellow” variety arborvitae with bright golden-green needles that do not change color throughout the year. The compact tree with a cone-shaped crown is formed by strong small branches with flat shoots, turned vertically and located parallel to each other. Growth is up to 10–15 cm per year; by the age of ten, the tree grows no more than one and a half meters in height.

Young shoots are much lighter than the deep green tones, and this play of light and shadow makes the plant especially attractive. Grows well in sun and partial shade, but open areas the golden color becomes more saturated. Used as a tapeworm on rocky hills, as well as for low bright hedges.

Golden Minaret

Beautiful light-loving variety thuja orientalis is a lush pyramidal tree with needles of a golden-bronze hue; in winter, reddish-bronze tones predominate. When planted in shade, it turns lemon green. It grows up to 4 m in height and about 1.5 m in diameter, the growth rate is moderate - about 10 cm per year.

The needles are scaly, densely covering short branches, the growths puff up and create the illusion of a soft, plush surface. Needs shelter for the winter, especially at a young age; in the spring, shoots are susceptible to burns.

Blue

Blue Cone

This oriental thuja with a dense cone-shaped crown in the shape of a pin, develops intensively, in good conditions it grows about 20 cm per year and reaches a height of 2–3 m and a width of 1.2–2.0 m. Flat branches in the form of a fan are directed vertically, the needles are bluish-green, dark, sea green.

Blue Con is undemanding to watering and works well in hot regions, surpassing the western thuja in drought resistance. In northern latitudes, during harsh winters with little snow, it can freeze out and requires reliable shelter.

Meldensis

Variety eastern thuja with an ovoid crown in young plants, which becomes pyramidal in adults. The branching is dense, the branches are fan-shaped, the shoots are multidirectional, forming a dense, even surface. The needles are bluish-green, darken in winter, acquiring a purple tint, and young growths turn brown. Plants grown from seeds are more resilient and grow faster.

Fast growing

Gelderland

A beautiful slender plant with a perfect cone-shaped crown, forming from the ground itself. It develops quickly, growing by 20–25 cm, reaching a height of 4–5 m. The delicate needles, dense green in summer and golden or bronze in winter, make the plant especially attractive.

Planted as a tapeworm, this stunning thuja has a pleated surface ( folded thuja) soft dense crown resembles a fabulous Christmas tree, magnificent at any time of the year.

Excelsa

Another wonderful representative folded thuja, at a young age columnar in shape, then cone-shaped with a wide base. Growing up to 30 cm per year, the large tree reaches 12–15 m in height and more than 3 m in diameter. The branches are directed horizontally or obliquely upward, drooping at the ends. The needles are shiny, thick green, slightly lighter on the growths.

The variety is resistant, winters well, strong and effective. Prefers fertile loams and is demanding on moisture. Looks luxurious in alleys and groups.

Video about the variety of types and varieties of thuja

In small ornamental gardens, on rocky hills, near fences and in mixed borders, luxurious thujas, with their dense, abundant needles, rich in color, will come into place. Pyramidal and spherical, emerald and golden, tall and dwarf, they provide enormous scope for creativity, allowing you to bring to life the most daring design solutions. And of course, nothing can replace the columnar thuja when creating slender alleys and green screens that visually expand and lengthen the space.

Description: Eastern part of North America, zone of coniferous and coniferous-deciduous forests. It reaches its best development in the northern part of its range. It grows along low-lying river banks, in swamps, often on calcareous soils. Reaches best development on moist fertile loams. Forms both pure stands and in a mixture with other forest-forming species (black ash, black spruce, balsam fir, red maple, etc.).

Thuia occidentalis "Bumbocks Tower"
Photo by Andrey Ganov

Monoecious tree 12-20 m tall, less commonly a shrub. The crown is compact, narrowly pyramidal in youth and ovoid in adulthood, often descending to the ground. The bark of young plants is smooth, red-brown, later gray-brown, separated by longitudinal ribbons. The needles are scaly, shiny green, brownish-green in winter, small (0.2-0.4 cm), tightly pressed to the shoot, function for 3 years and fall off along with small branches (twig fall). The cones are small (0.8-1 cm), made up of 3-5 pairs of thin scales, ripen in the fall in the year of flowering.

In Europe since the middle of the 16th century, it grows almost everywhere, and in some places it has gone wild. In Russia from the latitude of Arkhangelsk to the Black Sea. In Europe, including Russia, it is cultivated more widely than any other foreign coniferous tree. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1793. Various shapes This species is also cultivated in LTA, Otradnoye and urban green spaces. Some of the best specimens are presented in the park of the Forestry Academy (planted by E. L. Wolf in 1890) and at the former estate of Grand Duke Boris Vladimirovich in the city of Pushkin.

In GBS since 1938, 7 samples (168 copies) were grown from seeds and seedlings obtained from the arboretum of TSKhA, Lipetsk LSOS, Moscow region, there are plants of GBS reproduction. Tree, at 54 years old, height 12.5 m, crown diameter 260 cm. Vegetation from 5.V ± 12. Annual growth 6 cm. Dust from 21.V ± 4 to 27.V ± 3. Annually and abundantly “fruits” from 10 years, seeds ripen in October. Easily propagated by seeds and green cuttings. Winter hardiness is complete. Seed viability 50%. 97% of winter cuttings take root without treatment.


"Filifera"
Photo by Evgenia Maksimenko

"Golden Tuffet"
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Little Dorrit"
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Mr. Bowling Ball"
(Thuja occidentalis "Bozam")
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Speath"
Photo by EDSR.

Thuja occidentals "Spiralis minima"
Photo by Mikhail Polotnov

Thuja occidentals "Spiralis Zmatlik"
Photo by Mikhail Polotnov

"Yellow Ribbon"
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Yellow Ribbon"
Photo by Oleg Vasiliev

Winter-hardy, shoots become woody completely. Shade-tolerant, but in culture it develops better and lasts longer when good lighting. It grows slowly. It has little demands on soil fertility, despite its love of moisture, it tolerates dryness well. Resistant to smoke and gases.

Thuia occidentalis "Miriam"
Photo by Andrey Ganov

Very polymorphic. It has over 120 decorative forms, differing in growth patterns, branching patterns, color and shape of needles and twigs.

REVIEW OF GARDEN FORMS

A. Growth is normal, straight, not dwarf; the needles are green, sometimes brown in winter:

columnar forms - “Columna”, “Fastigiata” (-Stricta), “Malonyana”;
hanging forms - “Pendula” (regular branches), “Filiformis” (filamentous branches);
loose and knotty - “Bodmerii”, “Douglasii”, “Puramidalis”, “Spiralis”.
special forms (often narrow or wide-headed) - “Gracilis”, “Hetz wintergreen”, “Indometable”, “Smaragd”.

B. Dwarf forms with regular green scale-like needles:

round and ovoid forms - “Danica”, “Dumosa”, “Globosa”, “Hetz” “Midget”, “Noveyi”, “Little champion”, “Little Gem”, “Meski”, “Recurva nana”: (with age Pin-shaped ) - “Tiny Tom”, “Umbraculifera”, “Woodwardii”;
pin-shaped forms - “Нolmstrup”, “Rosenhalii”;

IN. Variegated forms with regular scale-like needles:

yellow forms - “Cloth of Gold”, “Europe gold”, “Golden globe”, “Нolmstrup”, “Yellow”, “Lutea”, “Lutea nana”, “Semperaurea”, “Sunkist”, “Vervaeneana”, “Wareana” lutescens."
mottled white form - “Meinekes zwerg”.

G. Transitional forms with scaly and needle-like leaves: “Ellwan geriana”, “Ellw. aurea", "Rheinogold".

D. Forms with only needle-like leaves: “Ericoides”, “Оhlendofffii” (with ordinary elongated shoots).

"Albospicata", Belokonchikovaya ("Albospicata", "Alba"). A tree with a wide pyramidal crown, 2 - 5 m tall. The shoots are prostrate. On young plants, the ends of the branches have bright white spots. The needles are scaly, white-variegated. The light color of the needles is especially impressive during the growth of young shoots. From mid-summer, the white color becomes especially intense and the plant acquires a variegated silver color. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings. Originated in Maxwell's nursery in Geneva in 1875.

In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (5 copies) were obtained from Lipetsk LSOS, Poland. Tree, at 20 years height 5.8 m, crown diameter 180 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 7 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete. 65% of winter cuttings take root without treatment, 79% of summer cuttings.

Thuja occidentalis "Aurea"
Photo by Kirill Tkachenko

"Aurea"(“Aurea”, “Aurescens”, “Aurea Spicata”). A tree of small or medium size, sometimes bush-shaped, with a wide-conical crown and golden-yellow needles. Known since 1857

In the BIN Botanical Garden until 1960. Now, since 1985, plants from the Main Botanical Garden (Moscow) have been grown. At the age of 22, it reached 3 m in height with a crown diameter of 1.7 x 1.7 m, and is winter-hardy (unlike some other cultivars with yellow needles).

In GBS since 1937, 7 samples (27 copies) were obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS, Ostankino nursery, there are plants of GBS reproduction. Shrub, at 30 years height 7.0 m, bush diameter 230 cm. Vegetation from 11.V ± 10. Annual growth 4.5-6 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete. 97% of winter cuttings take root without treatment.

The name “composite” form combines a number of forms with golden-yellow needles, which clearly differ in growth form and other characteristics, such as:

"Aurea Nana"(“Aurea Nana”) - dwarf form, with a round or ovoid crown, no more than 60 cm in height, densely branched. The needles are entirely yellow-green, later light green, and brownish-yellow in winter.
"Golden tip"(f. aureo-spicata) - with thick, shiny branches, densely golden at the ends.
"Golden-variegated"(f. aureo-variegata) - straight growth, with a wide pyramidal crown, with shiny, dark green, flat branches, densely golden at the ends. Winter-hardy. Good in any area. In GBS since 1952, 1 sample (2 copies) was grown from cuttings obtained from the Netherlands. Tree, at 15 years height 2.3 m, crown diameter 90 cm. Vegetation from 17.V ± 7. Annual growth 5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is average. 90% of winter cuttings take root without treatment.

This also includes the forms: "Aurea Denza"("Aurea Densa"), "Aurea Compacta"("Aurea Compacta"), "Aurea Globoza"("Aurea Gtobosa"), "Mieeima Aurea"("Minima Aurea"), partially - "Semperaurea"("Semperaurea").

"Bodmeri"("Bodmeri"). The crown is loose, obovate in shape. Plant height is up to 2.5 m. The shoots are thick, unevenly spaced from the trunk. The branches are short, thick, bizarre. Old plants often retain many dead shoots. The needles densely cover the shoots, almost pressed, dark green. Probably originated in Switzerland in 1891. Recommended for group plantings.

In St. Petersburg in the Catalogs of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1903. In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1994, where it is winter-hardy and grows slowly. Also available in the collection of the LTA Arboretum

"Gods" ("Boothii"). Tree up to 4 m tall. The crown is dense, conical or slightly irregular. The branches rise gracefully. The shoots are relatively strong and densely located. The needles are scaly, large, light green, turning pale in winter. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer (55%) and winter cuttings (100%). Named in honor of James Both, the owner of a nursery in Hamburg. Isolated by botanist R. Smith in 1874. Recommended for single, group plantings and hedges.

In GBS since 1951, 3 samples (23 copies) were grown from cuttings obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS. Tree, at 39 years old, height 5.2 m, crown diameter 250 cm. Vegetation from 13.V±8. Annual growth is 3.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high. 100% of winter cuttings treated with a 0.01% IBA solution take root for 24 hours.

"Beaufort" ("Beaufort"). In height and branching it is close to the normal type of growth. Young shoots and needles are variegated. Has a brighter color than cv. Variegctta. Obtained in Holland, known since 1963. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1995.

"Brabant"("Brabant"). Tree 15 - 21) m high. Crown diameter 3-4 m. Conical crown. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, green, and retain their color in winter. Blooms in April - May. Cones are brown, oblong-ovate, 0.8 - 1.2 cm long. Annual growth is 30 cm in height, 10 cm in width. Shade-tolerant. It is undemanding to the soil, tolerates both dryness and excessive soil moisture, but prefers fresh, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Frost-resistant. Tolerates haircuts well. Application: single plantings, groups, hedges.

"Wagnery" ("Wagneri"). The tree is small, 3.5 m tall. The crown is dense, dense, narrowly conical, directed upward, graceful. The shoots are thin, ascending or slightly drooping. The needles are thin, green or grayish-green. Grows best in free and open spaces. Winter-hardy. Roots with summer (65%) and winter (100%) cuttings. Originated in 1890 in the nursery of Karl Wagner in Leipzig from the seeds of the western thuja "Vareana". Recommended for planting singly and in groups near residential buildings. It is advisable to use when creating a hedge.

In the LTA Arboretum there are several young trees that are not frostbitten and well developed.

In GBS since 1952, 1 sample (13 copies) was obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS. Multi-stemmed tree, at 38 years old, height 4.9 m, crown diameter 240 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 1.5-6 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

Thuja occidentalis "Wareana"
Photo by EDSR.

"Vareana" ("Wareana"). A small tree or shrub with a dense cone-shaped or pyramidal crown, height - 5 - 7 m. Shoots spaced from the trunk, fan-shaped, elastic. The branches are thick, short, erect. The needles are bright green, without a brown tint. Propagated by summer cuttings (88%), lignified (75 - 100%). Appeared in culture in the second half of the 19th century in Europe. Propagates well by seeds and cuttings (60%). Recommended for single and group plantings, for hedges near houses. Highly valued in ornamental gardening. The form is not very uniform and variable, as it is often grown from seeds. A valuable winter-hardy form, available in the collection of the Forestry Academy.

In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (3 copies) were obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS. Tree, at 20 years height 5.2 m, crown diameter 190 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 3-5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is below average.

"Vareana Lutescens", Vareana Yellowing("Wareana Lutescens"). Similar in habit to the Wareana form, but lower, can reach (depending on conditions) 1.5-2.5 m in height in 10-15 years. With age, the crown becomes wider. The needles are light yellow-green in summer, brighter in color in the first half of the growing season, and acquire a bronze tint in winter. The coloration is unusual for thuja, and this cultivar can be used to create colorful arrangements in combination with other forms to create different shades of color. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer and winter cuttings (98 - 100%). Appeared in the nursery of G. Gosse in 1891 (Germany). Recommended for single and group plantings in gardens and alpine gardens.

In St. Petersburg, at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1904. In the Botanical Garden, BIN has been known since 1913. Currently (since 1995) younger specimens are grown, reaching 1 at 12 years of age. 5-1.7 m high.

"Vervena" ("Vervaeneana"). Very beautiful shape. Tree up to 15 m tall, with a slender, narrow-conical crown. The shoots are thin. The branches are numerous, tender and soft, dense. The needles are light yellow or light green, bronze-brown in winter. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer (82%) and winter (100%) cuttings. Originated in 18b2 in the Vervena nursery in Ledeberg (Belgium). Recommended for planting in tapeworms, groups, alleys near houses.

Well-developed specimens are available in the collection of the Forestry Academy.

In GBS since 1952, 2 samples (14 copies) of GBS reproductions. Tree, at 38 years old, height 8.8 m, crown diameter 230 cm. Vegetation from 8.V110. Annual growth is 3-7.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high.

"Woodwardy"("Woodwardii"). Dwarf form. The crown is spherical, becoming more broadly rounded in old age. Height -1.5 - 2.5 m, width - up to 5 m. Shoots and branches are straight, flat. The needles are dark green in summer and winter, identical in color on both sides. The place of origin is unknown, the time of introduction into culture was before 1923. It is winter-hardy, but in severe winters the ends of annual shoots freeze. Propagated by cuttings (75 - 100%). Recommended for group plantings on rocky areas and lawns.

In GBS since 1952, 1 sample (6 copies) was received from the Netherlands. Shrub, at 17 years height 1.6 m, crown diameter 100 cm. Vegetation from 8.V ± 9. Annual growth 1-3.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is below average.

"Goetz Midet"("Hetz Midget"). Rounded, very slow growing dwarf form; the shoots are quite powerful; annual growth is about 2.5 cm. The needles are green. In 1925, selected as a seedling at Fairview Nursery; imported in 1942

"Goetz Wintergreen"("Hetz wintergreen"). Pin-shaped form, very fast growing. The needles remain green and beautiful even in winter. Hetz, USA, before 1950

Thuja occidentalis "Globosa"
Photo on the left of Konstantin Alexandrov
Photo on the right is EDSR.

"Globoza", Globular ("Globosa"). Dwarf form 1.2 m high and about 1 m wide. The crown shape is round. The shoots are straight and flat, raised up, densely located, overlapping, evenly growing to the sides. The needles are scale-like, light green in spring, green in summer and gray-green or brownish in winter, with shiny glands. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings. Known in culture since 1874. Suitable for single and group plantings in rock gardens, in containers for green roofs.

In St. Petersburg at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and K. Ya. Kesselring since 1878, in BIN since 1891. Plants of this form in the thuja alley of the Botanical Garden of BIN, planted on May 9, 1945, after 60 years reached 3.3 to 3.45 m in height. Also available in the collection of the Forestry Academy. In many other gardens, plants grown under this name do not exceed 1.25 m in height. Currently, it has been surpassed by other spherical cultivars in terms of decorativeness, compactness, and crown density.

In GBS since 1950, 2 samples (6 copies) were obtained from cuttings from Lvov, there is a reproduction of GBS. Shrub, height 1.3 m at 20 years, crown diameter 100 cm. Vegetation from 8.V ± 10. Annual growth up to 5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high. 100% of winter cuttings treated with a 0.01% IBA solution take root for 24 hours.

"Globoza Nana", Globular Low ("Globosa Nana") Dwarf shrub up to 0.3 m tall. Resembles small green balls in appearance. The crown is compact, spherical. The needles are small, scale-like, dark green with a shiny gland. In winter, the needles lighten and become gray. It grows extremely slowly and forms a dense shape. Tolerates dry air worse than other forms, needs some shading and more frequent watering. Fruits. Propagated by seeds and cuttings (47%), Known in culture since the second half of the 20th century. Recommended for rocky gardens, where they can be planted singly or in groups. Very decorative in the foreground of mixed groups.

"Govea" ("Hoveyi"). Dwarf form 1 - 1.5 m tall. The crown is ovoid-rounded. The shoots are strictly straight, thin, reddish, located in a perpendicular plane, which creates an external resemblance to the eastern biota. The needles are light green, non-shiny in summer, brown in winter, with glands on both sides. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer (75%) and winter (100%) cuttings. Known in culture since 1868. Recommended for single and group plantings on rocky areas, for growing in containers.

In GBS since 1957, 1 copy. received seedlings from Poland. At 22 years old, height is 5.3 m, crown diameter is 170 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is average.

"Gracilis" ("Gracilis"). The form is fast-growing, loose; the branches are long and thin, spreading beautifully in all directions; shoots are thin, densely standing. The scales are oblong, thin, light green. KHN 204. 1875 Old English variety.

Thuja occidentalis "Danica"
Photo on the left EDSR
Photo on the right of Lyubov Fedorovna Golubitskaya

"Danika"("Danica"). Dwarf shape. The variety was bred in Denmark in 1948. Height 0.6 m, crown diameter 1 m. Crown spherical. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, thick, green, soft, shiny, and brownish-green in winter. Slow-growing, shade-tolerant. It is undemanding to the soil, tolerates dry soil and excessive moisture, but prefers fresh, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups, rocky hills. In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1992 (received from Prague, Czech Republic).

"Dutlasi Pyramidalis", Douglas Pyramid("Douglasii Pyramidalis"). In appearance it resembles cypress. The crown shape is narrow, columnar, height - 10 - 15 m. The shoots are thin, very short, straight. The branches are green and protruding. look like fern leaves. The needles are marsh green, flat. On the lower branches it dries out early and partially falls off. It was bred at the beginning of the 20th century in Arnold Arboretum (USA) and taken from there by Shpet to Berlin (Germany). Winter-hardy. Very shade tolerant. Propagated by summer (68%) and winter (100%) cuttings. It is recommended to plant it in groups or individually near houses. It is also suitable for hedges. Close to Thuja occidentalis "Spiralis", has no advantages over it.

Known since 1891. Soon after that it appeared in St. Petersburg: in the Botanical Garden BIN (1912) and in the nurseries of E. L. Regel and K. Ya. Kesselring (1914).

In GBS since 1950, 1 sample (8 copies) was grown from seeds obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS. Tree, at 39 years old, height 9.0 m, crown diameter 240 cm. Vegetation from 11.V ± 8, annual growth 5-8 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

"Dumosa"("Dumosa"). Dwarf shape, crown height and diameter 1 m, flattened or slightly rounded crown, irregular. The branching is similar to that of the "Recurva Nana" form (often confused with it), but the shoots are not so evenly curved and partly also quite flat, at the top there are many vertically located thin shoots about 10 -15 cm long, and very few branched shoots, like a typical thuja occidentalis, which are also not flat, but curved, but short, more branched. Often used in alypinariums.

"Europe Gold" ("Europe Gold"). The variety was bred in Holland in 1974. Reminiscent of the yellow "Smaragd", but grows very slowly. Bush. Height 4 m. Crown diameter 1 - 1.2 m. Crown narrow pyramidal, then conical. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, thick, golden-yellow in winter, orange when blooming. Annual growth "in height 10 cm, width 5 cm. Grows slowly Shade-tolerant. Undemanding to soil, tolerates dry soil and excessive moisture, but prefers dry, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Tolerates shearing well. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups , hedges, alleys.

In St. Petersburg (BIN) since 1994, it is quite winter-hardy, at 13 years it reaches the height of human height (160-180 cm).

Photo on the right of Konstantin Korzhavin
Photo on the left EDSR.

"Indomitable"("Indomitable"). Mutation "Elegantissima", fast-growing form; rising branches. The needles are dark green, but reddish-brown in winter. Around 1960, L. Konijn, Rejuvik, Holland. Particularly winter-hardy.

Thuja occidentalis "Columna"
"Garden Collection"
Photo on the right of Natalia Pavlova

"Columna" ("Columna"). An upright-growing conifer with a narrow columnar crown, short branches extending densely and horizontally. It grows slowly. Height up to 10m. The annual growth is about 15 cm. The diameter of the crown is up to 1.5 m, the growth in width is about 5 cm. The bark is red-brown, rough. The needles are scale-like, thick, dark green, shiny, and do not change color in winter. The roots are thin, dense, with mycorrhiza. It is not picky about soils; it grows on both acidic and alkaline moist and fertile substrates. Sensitive to compaction of the soil surface. Location: sunny or partial shade Quite winter-hardy. Application: individual specimens or groups, suitable for hedges.

In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1936. Also grown at the Forestry Academy.

"Compact", Dense ("Compacta""). Dwarf form, derived from the "Pyramidal Dense" form. Not a large tree or shrub, up to 2 m high and 1 m wide. The crown is pyramidal, thickening with age and becoming ovoid. It does not have large branches, flatly spaced like the type. The needles are bluish-green. Grows slowly. Winter-hardy. Rooting by summer cuttings is 75%, by winter cuttings - 100%. Described by Pearson from the USA around 1850. Recommended for single and group plantings, for hedges.

In GBS since 1938, 1 sample (3 copies) was obtained from 5-year-old seedlings from Kyiv. Shrub, at 56 years height 10 m, crown diameter 290 cm. Vegetation from 13.V ± 8. Annual growth 5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

"Cristata", Comb ("Cristata"). Slender graceful tree 3 - 5 m tall. The crown is rounded, flattened. The branches are short, directed comb-like upward. The needles are gray-green. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer (93%) and winter (100%) cuttings. Known in culture since 1867. Recommended for single and group plantings, for hedges near houses.

In GBS since 1952, 3 samples (9 copies) were grown from cuttings obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS; there are plants of GBS reproduction. Tree, at 20 years height 4.0 m, crown diameter 170 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 7 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

In St. Petersburg in the Catalogs of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1904. In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1990, winter-hardy.

Thuja occidentalis "Lutea"
Photo by Kirill Tkachenko

"Lutea", Yellow ("Lutea"). Tree up to 10 m tall. The crown is loose, narrowly conical or pyramidal. The needles are small, flattened, shiny, golden-yellow above, light yellow-green below. Very attractive against a background of dark greenery. In winter, the color does not change or darkens slightly. Winter-hardy. Grows quickly. Sets a lot of seeds, but when seed propagation only 25% inherit maternal characteristics. Therefore, they are propagated by summer (75%) and winter (88 - 100%) cuttings. Originates from the USA, known in culture until 1873. It is found quite often and remains one of the best yellow-colored forms. Recommended for single and group plantings in gardens and near houses. Thuja is also distinguished Yellow-variegated"(f. lutescens) - with a densely branched, pyramidal crown, with yellow-variegated branches. Winter-hardy.

In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1886, almost at the same time it appeared in the nurseries of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring (1892). Possibly synonymous with the form Area. Currently available in the BIN and LTA collections.

In GBS since 1957, 5 samples (9 copies) were obtained from Poland; there are plants of GBS reproduction. Shrub, at 20 years height 5.1 m, crown diameter 160 cm. Vegetation from 12.V ± 10. Annual growth 5-8 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

Thuja occidentalis "Little Gem"
Photo by EDSR.

"Little Jam" ("LittleGem"). A dwarf form with a crown width of up to 2 m, and the height is much less. The crown is flat-rounded, flattened. The branches are rough, straight, rising, the branches are curved. The needles are dark green, brown in winter. The shape is close to "Recurva Nana". Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer cuttings (62%). It is recommended to plant in groups or singly on rocky areas, suitable for creating a hedge. Known since 1891. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1984 (cuttings from Salaspils, Latvia).

In GBS since 1973, 1 sample (7 copies) was obtained from cuttings from Lvov. Shrub, at 17 years height 0.55 m, crown diameter 70 cm. Vegetation from 18.V ± 10. Annual growth 0.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high.

Thuja occ. "Malonyana Holy"
Photo of Elena Solovyova

"Malonyan" ("Malonyana"). Pointed and narrow columnar form 10 - 15 m high. The shoots are short, brown, densely branched, flat, and densely spaced. The needles are shiny, green, and distinctly glandular. Winter-hardy. Propagated by seeds. When grown from seeds, 85% of seedlings retain their basic shape. Rooting rate of summer cuttings is 100%. Obtained in the Czech Republic (Arboretum Mlynany), before 1913. Currently widely found in culture. It is recommended to plant individually or in groups near houses. Can be used to create hedges.

In St. Petersburg since 1937, the first to test it in the Arboretum of the Forestry Academy was N. M. Andronov. BIN has been known in the Botanical Garden since 1967. Good specimens are available in the Arboretum of the Forestry Academy.

Thuja occidentalis "Ohlendorffii"
Photo by Kirill Tkachenko

"Olendorffy" ("Ohlendorffii"). A shrub more than 1 m tall, growing unevenly in width. The shoots are long, straight, tight, branched only at the top. The needle-shaped needles at the ends of the shoots are arranged crosswise, subulate-shaped, about 12 mm long, reddish-brown. The scaly needles are small, arranged in 4 rows, and become red-brown in the second year. Appeared in Hamburg with Ohlendorff in 1887. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings (39%). It is very decorative and deserves wider testing for landscaping alpine hills, where it is planted in groups or solitary on parterre lawns. Can be grown in containers.

In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1986. Also grown at the Forestry Academy.

"Pumila" ("Pumila") Shrub up to 2 m tall. In GBS since 1952, 1 sample (4 copies) was obtained from seedlings from the Netherlands. Tree, at 20 years crown diameter 130 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 1.5- 2 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is below average. 100% of winter cuttings take root without treatment.

Thuja occidentalis "Pyramidalis compacta"
Photo by Nadezhda Dmitrieva

"Pyramidalis Compacta", Pyramidal Dense("Pyramidalis Compacta"). Tree up to 10 m tall. The crown is narrowly conical. The shoots are densely branched, strong, tightly pressed to each other, short. The needles are large, scale-like, light green, with a faint shine. Winter-hardy. It has been known in culture since 1904 and is widespread. Recommended for single and group plantings.

In GBS since 1952, 2 samples (10 copies) were obtained from green cuttings from the Lipetsk LSOS. Tree, at 38 years old, height 9.0 m, crown diameter 150 cm. Vegetation from 7.V±10. Annual growth is 5-12 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness I. 62% of winter cuttings take root without treatment.

Thuja occidentalis "Rheingold"
Photo by EDSR.

"Rheingold"("Rheingold"). Transitional form, at a young age the crown is spherical, later - wider, height - up to 1.5 m. The shoots are thin. Young growing branches have a beautiful pinkish tint. The needles are light golden yellow, partly needle-shaped, partly scale-like. Propagated by cuttings (48%). Recommended for single and group plantings on rocky areas, as well as for growing in containers.

The plants cultivated under the name Rheingold are nothing more than propagated "ericoid" young shoots of Thuja occidentalis f. Ellwangeriana Aurea, shoots with needle-like leaves. Plants propagated in this way retain their golden-yellow color for a long time, only turning copper-yellow in winter. In older plants, more and more scaly leaves appear with age, accordingly, there is a return to the original form of Ellwangeriana Aurea.

Thuja under the name Rheingold appeared in cultivation around 1900 in Lübeck (Germany). In St. Petersburg, E. L. Wolf (1917) was the first to test it. In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1984 (obtained by cuttings from Latvia, Salaspils), it freezes in cold winters. Here it is a slow-growing tree with a wide-conical crown. Also available in the collection of the Arboretum of the Forestry Academy.

"Riversea"("Riversi"). Tree up to 5 m tall. The crown is compact, wide-conical. The shoots are short, everted. The needles are yellow in summer, yellowish-green in winter. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings (65 - 75%). Recommended for hedges and group plantings on rocky areas, or alone on a lawn.

In GBS since 1958, 1 sample (12 copies) was received from Nizhny Novgorod. Tree, at 30 years height 5.0 m, crown diameter 140 cm. Vegetation from 12.V ± 8. Annual growth 7-12 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is average.

"Rosenthal"("Rosenthalii"). The shape is uniformly columnar, up to 5 m tall. The shoots are short, dense, straight, perpendicular. The branches are numerous, slightly rounded. The needles are dark green and shiny. It grows extremely slowly. Introduced into cultivation in 1884. It is often found only in Europe. Winter-hardy. Rooting rate of summer cuttings is 92%, winter cuttings - 100%. Recommended for single and group plantings and hedges.

In St. Petersburg at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1909. In the Botanical Garden of BIN since 1949, specimens of younger plants are currently being grown.

In GBS since 1955, 1 sample (9 copies) was received from Holland. Tree, at 34 years old, height 2.3 m, crown diameter 120 cm. Vegetation with 8.V ± 10. Annual growth 1.5-3 cm, grows slowly. Dust from 5.V±6 to 12.V±4. The seeds ripen by early November and spill out of the capsules in December. Winter hardiness is complete.

"Salaspils" ("Salaspils" (Th. occidentalis "Globosa Salaspils"). Dwarf, slowly growing, abundantly branching bush-like form, with a dense spherical crown. Reaches only 55 cm in height at 30 years. The green color of the needles does not change in winter. It is a mutation, selected from seedlings from the cultivar "Globosa". Obtained in the Botanical Garden of Salaspils, Latvia, in 1928-1932. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1984, cuttings directly from Salaspils.

"Sunkist"("Sunkist"). Dwarf form. Height 3 - 5 m, crown diameter 1 - 2 m. Crown conical. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, golden-yellow, yellow when blooming, and bronze in winter. It grows slowly. Photophilous. It is undemanding to the soil, tolerates dry soil and excessive moisture, but prefers fresh, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Khoronyu endures a haircut. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups. Known as an improved version of T. oscidentalis "Lutea".

Thuja occidentalis "Semperaurea"
Photo by Kirill Tkachenko

"Semperaurea", Evergolden("Semperaurea"). Tree 10 - 12m tall. The crown is broadly conical. The shoots are thick. Growth is powerful. The ends of the shoots and young needles are densely golden; in winter the needles turn brown and become yellow-brown. A characteristic feature of this form is that the branches are edge-facing to the south. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings, but rooting rate is no more than 30%. Known since 1893. Often found in Western Europe. In the Kurnik arboretum (Poland) it was obtained independently in 1932. One of the best yellow-colored forms of the western thuja (f. aurescens Wrobl. ex Browicz et Bugala), characterized by smaller sizes, namely: height - 4 - 5 m, narrow-coconical crown, young shoots and needles have a bright golden color. Winter-hardy. Propagated by cuttings (72%). Recommended for group plantings near houses.

In St. Petersburg at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1907. In the Botanical Garden BIN since 1995

Thuja occidentalis "Smaragd"
Photo on the left of Alexandra Shcherbakova, Garden Collection company
Photo on the right is EDSR.

"Emerald"("Smaragd"). Squat form up to 2 m tall. The crown is cone-shaped, weakly branches. The shoots are located in a vertical plane. The branches are far apart, glossy, fresh green in summer and winter. Obtained in 1950 in Denmark (Quistchard). Currently in great demand among plant lovers. Propagated by cuttings (53%). Recommended for group and single plantings. Can be tested when creating a hedge.

In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1993. It is also grown in the Arboretum of the Forestry Academy.

Thuja occidentalis "Spiralis"
Photo by EDSR.

"Spiralis" ("Spiralis"). Tree with a narrow conical crown, up to 15 m tall. The shoots are twisted and turned so that they resemble a spiral when viewed from above. The branches are short, reminiscent of the leaves of some ferns. The needles are bluish-green. In terms of growth rate, it surpasses all other forms of western thuja. Known in culture since 1920. Place of origin unknown. Propagated by seeds. When propagated by seed, 30% of seedlings inherit shape characteristics. Rooting rate of summer cuttings is 95%. Winter-hardy. Recommended for single and group plantings. Effective in alleys.

In cultivation since 1920. BIN has been known in the Botanical Garden since 1948, and is also available in LTA.

In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (7 copies) were received from Denmark and the Netherlands. Tree, at 33 years old, height 8.6 m, crown diameter 160 cm. Vegetation from 12.V ± 10. Annual growth 5-9 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is average.

Thuja occidentalis "Stolwijk"
Photo on the left EDSR.
Photo on the right Andrey Ganov

"Stolwijk" ("Stolwijk"). A new cultivar, which is not yet in the world's dendrological directories. Obtained in Holland, at the Stolwijk Nursery, in 1986 (Erhardt, 2005). Original low form, in youth with a hemispherical or wide-pyramidal crown, at 10 years reaches about 1 m in height. The lower part of the crown is dense, the upper part is sparse, sometimes multi-stemmed. Summer needles are green, young growth is white-yellow. In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1998, it is quite winter-hardy, forms cones, and is easily propagated from cuttings.

Thuja occidentalis "Tiny Tim"
Photo of Golubitskaya Lyubov Fedorovna

"Tiny Tim" ("Tiny Tim"). Dwarf form, developed in 1955, very beautiful. Height 0.5 -1 m, crown diameter 1 - 1.5 m. The crown is spherical, short and dense branches. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, dark green. At 10 years old, the height of plants of this form is 30 cm, the diameter of the crown is 40 cm. It grows slowly. Photophilous. It is undemanding to soils, tolerates dry soil and excessive moisture, but prefers fresh, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups, on rocky hills.

"Tuiopsoides" ("Thujopsoides"). The needles are reminiscent of Japanese arborvitae, vigorous growth, with a loose crown and larger cones. Known until 1894, it first appeared in Duisburg (Germany). It has been grown on the Karelian Isthmus, in the Arboretum of the scientific experimental station BIN "Otradnoe" since 1986 (obtained from Salaspils, Latvia).

"Umbraculifera", Umbrella ("Umbraculifera"). Dwarf form up to 1.5 m tall. The crown is flat-rounded, almost umbrella-shaped at the top. The shoots are straight. The ends of the branches are thin, rounded, slightly drooping. The needles are juicy, small, dark green with a bluish tint. Winter-hardy. It grows slowly. Fruits moderately. Propagated by seeds, more often by summer cuttings (92%), winter cuttings - 100%. Appeared in 1890 in Germany. Recommended for single and group plantings on rock gardens, lawns, and for growing in containers.

In St. Petersburg, in the nurseries of E. L. Regel and J. K. Kesselring since 1903. In the Botanical Garden, BIN at 22 years old reaches 1.4 m in height with the same crown width.

In GBS since 1957, 1 sample (2 copies) was obtained by cuttings from the Lipetsk LSOS. Shrub, at 38 years height 0.55 m, crown diameter 120 cm. Vegetation from 17.V ± 10. Annual growth 1.5-3.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high.

"Fastigiata", Equally High ("Fastigiata"). Very variable form. Tree with a columnar crown, 15m tall. It looks like a cypress tree. The shoots are tightly pressed to the trunk, directed partially downwards. The branches are numerous. The needles are light to dark green. Unlike other forms, it retains its green color to a greater extent in winter. Grows quickly. It tolerates air pollution better than others. A widely known and beloved form. Winter-hardy. It is easy to grow from seeds, but the seed offspring will not always be uniform. Propagated by summer (95%) and winter (60%) cuttings. Recommended for single and group plantings near houses.

Known since 1865. In St. Petersburg at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and K. Ya. Kesselring since 1903, in the Botanical Garden BIN since 1937. It is also grown in the Arboretum of the Forestry Academy. A stable and reliable form, suitable for hedges.

In GBS since 1938, 5 samples (19 copies) were obtained from Potsdam (Germany), Lipetsk LSOS, Trostyanets arboretum (Ukraine), there are plants of GBS reproduction. Tree, at 52 years old, height 1.8 m, crown diameter 230 cm. Vegetation from 9.V ± 8. Annual growth 8-13 cm. Dusty from 17.V ± 4 to 24.V ± 3, irregularly. The seeds ripen at the end of October. Winter hardiness is complete.

"Philicoides" ("Filicoides"). Shrub. In GBS since 1947. Seedlings were received from Germany. Currently, one sample of GBS reproduction is from 1965. At 28 years old, height 4.5 m, crown diameter 260 cm. Vegetation from 10.V ± 7. Annual growth is about 15 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is below average. 15% of summer cuttings take root; when treated with phyton, callus is formed after 3.5 months.

Thuja occidentalis "Filiformis"
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Filiformis", Filiformis ("Filiformis"). A small tree up to 1.5 m tall. The crown is dense, broadly cone-shaped or round. The shoots are long, hanging, thread-like, weakly branched. Young needles are scale-like, light green with clearly defined resinous glands. In winter it turns brown. Winter-hardy, propagated by cuttings (62%) and seeds. Known in culture since 1901, brought to Europe from North America. Recommended for group plantings on the lawn and for growing in containers.

In St. Petersburg, the first to test it was E. L. Wolf (1917). In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1955 (currently young plants). Good specimens are available in the collection of the Forestry Academy.

In GBS since 1970, 1 sample (2 copies) was obtained from the Lipetsk LSOS with living plants. Shrub, at 20 years height 1.2 m, crown diameter 110 cm. Vegetation from 12.V ± 10. Annual growth 1.5 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high.

Thuja occidentalis "Holmstrup"
Photo by Alexander Zhukov

"Holmstrup"("Holmstrup"). The variety was obtained in Denmark in 1951 by breeder A. R. Jensen. Bush. Height 3 - 4 m, crown diameter 0.8 - 1 m. Crown conical. The bark is reddish or grayish-brown, flaking. The needles are scaly, thick, green. The annual growth is 12 cm in height, 4 cm in width, grows slowly. Shade-tolerant. It is undemanding to the soil, tolerates dry soil and excessive moisture, but prefers fresh, sufficiently moist fertile loams. Tolerates haircuts well. Frost-resistant. Application: single plantings, groups, hedges, alleys. "Holmstrup vellow" - mutation of "Holmstrup" with yellow needles.

In the BIN Botanical Garden since 1992. In terms of winter hardiness, it does not differ from the typical western thuja.

"Elegantssima", Most Graceful ("Elegantissima"). Tree up to 5 m tall. The crown is dense, wide-conical, graceful. The needles are brightly colored and shiny. The ends of the shoots have a whitish tint. Winter-hardy. Abundantly bears fruit. It is difficult to propagate by cuttings (up to 14%) and seeds. When sown, only part of the seedlings inherits the characteristics of the form. Known in culture since 1930. Recommended for single and group plantings on the lawn.

Thuja occidentalis "Ellwangeriana"
Photo by EDSR.

"Ellvangeriana" ("Ellwangeriana"). Transitional form, 2.5 m tall. The crown is broadly conical, in young trees it is pyramidal. The shoots are straight, finely pinnate. The ends of the branches are highly branched. The needles on young shoots are soft, needle-like, on older shoots they are scaly, flat, pressed, and grayish in winter. Winter-hardy. Propagated by summer (54%) and winter (97 - 100%) cuttings, as well as seeds. Originated in 1869, apparently in North America. Recommended for group plantings near houses and as a tapeworm. A very elegant plant for single plantings in the foreground.

In GBS since 1947, 3 samples (16 copies) were obtained from Brno (Slovakia), the Netherlands. Tree, at 49 years old, height 7.2 m, crown diameter 380 cm. Vegetation from 18.V ± 10. Annual growth 8-15 cm. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is complete.

Thuja occidentalis "Ellwangeriana Aurea"
Photo by Anetta Popova

"Ellvangeriana Aurea", Ellvangeriana aureus ("Ellwangeritina Aurea"). The yellow offspring mutant from the "Ellwangeriana" form originated in Späth's nursery in 1895 (Germany). It grows slowly and reaches about 1 m in height, often has several peaks. The crown is ovoid. The needles are scaly and needle-shaped, golden-bronze in color, and golden-yellow in winter. Young growing branches have a beautiful pinkish tint. The shoots are thin. Suffers from sunburn and sometimes from severe frosts. The shoots branch densely. Propagated by summer (52%) and winter (100%) cuttings. Recommended for single and group plantings, for growing in containers. Very decorative, goes well with the pyramidal green forms of thuja, and retains its golden color well.

In GBS since 1957, 2 samples (11 copies) were obtained from England; there are plants of GBS reproduction. Tree, at 33 years old, height 4.6 m, crown diameter 260 cm. Vegetation from 15.V ± 10. Annual growth 5-8 m. Does not generate dust. Winter hardiness is high.

Thuja occidentalis "Ericoides"
Photo on the left EDSR.
Photo on the right of Mironova Irina

"Ericoides", Heather-shaped ("Ericoides"). Dwarf form up to 1 m tall. Reminds me of juniper in appearance. The crown is rounded, wide-conical, multi-peaked. The shoots are thin, flexible, straight and curved, numerous. The needles are subulate, up to 8 mm long, soft, matte yellow-green above, gray-green below, brownish in winter. Grows quickly. Only young plants are decorative; older specimens have many dead shoots and needles. It is known as a low-winter-hardy form; perennial shoots are frostbitten. Easily propagated by cuttings (88%). Effective in group plantings. Used to create dwarf gardens and design flower beds.

Known since 1867. In St. Petersburg at the nurseries of E. L. Regel and K. Ya. Kesselring since 1901. There can be quite a lot of dried shoots and needles in the crown, drying out from below increases with age and with bad fit. It is grown in the collections of the Botanical Garden BIN and the Otradnoe Scientific Experimental Station.

In GBS since 1957, 3 samples (8 copies) were obtained from Poland (seedlings), from Lipetsk LSOS, Lvov, Sochi. Shrub, at 20 years height 1.5 m, crown diameter 80 cm. Vegetation from 18.V ± 9. Annual growth 3-5 cm. Low winter hardiness.

Location: Can grow in sun and partial shade. In sunny places it sometimes suffers from temperature fluctuations or becomes dehydrated from frost and dries out. It is better to plant in places protected from the wind. Winter-hardy (some forms are less frost-resistant, primarily those with young juvenile needles, as well as some golden ones). Grows relatively slowly.

The soil: turf or leaf soil, peat, sand (2:1:1) with the addition of 500 g of nitroammophoska for each adult plant when planting mineral fertilizers. Can grow on any soil: swampy, peaty, clayey, dry sandy loam, etc.

Landing: the distance between plants is from 0.5 to 3, rarely 5 m, in a hedge with two-row planting between rows 0.5 - 0.7 m, in a row 0.4 - 0.5 m. It is recommended to arrange thuja alleys with a width of 6 - 8 m with an interval between trees of 4 m. Planting depth is 60 - 80 cm, depending on the clod of earth, as well as the height and diameter of the plant crown. Root collar at ground level. Drainage with a layer of 15 - 20 cm on underlying clay or pipes in trenches in swamps.

Thuja hedge
Photo of Elena Solovyova

Care: in the spring it is recommended to apply "Kemira Universal" at the rate of 100 - 120 g/m2, only two years after planting, if the full amount has been applied mineral fertilizer. For the first month after planting, it is recommended to water once a week with 10 liters per plant and sprinkling. During the dry season, water 15 - 20 liters per plant and 2 times a week, also sprinkling. Thujas love moist soils; in dry places and in the shade the crowns thin out. Loosening is shallow 8-10 cm, because thuja has a superficial root system. It is advisable to mulch with peat or wood chips with a layer of 7 cm. Removing dry shoots annually in the spring. Moderate trimming of hedges, no more than 1 /3 shoot length. Crown molding as needed. Mature plants are quite winter-hardy. In the first winter after planting, young plants need shelter. Their needles should be protected from winter and spring sunburn by covering the plants with spruce branches or craft paper.

Usage: Thuja occidentalis and its forms are a valuable material for green building in most of Russia, with the exception of the extreme northeast of the European part of Russia, the extreme northern part of the forest zone of Siberia and the arid southern steppe and semi-desert regions, where it can be replaced by biota. Resistance to urban conditions allows this species to be widely used in urban landscaping, and a wide variety of decorative forms makes it possible to create a wide variety of compositions. In green construction it is used for solitary plantings (especially for garden forms), as well as for lining alleys, monumental walls and hedges different heights. For forestry purposes it is of interest as an undergrowth species and for planting on excessively moist soils.

Partners: goes well with hemlock, cypress, European larch, oriental spruce, etc.

(1 of 14)

Landscape design of the site

Landscape design of a site is a real art, which involves a whole group of specialists. Landscape design is distinguished by individuality, because you are unlikely to find two identical plots: each house with its surrounding area and landscape is unique. Therefore, designers and planners create a landscape design that is suitable only for you and where all your dreams are realized. Landscape design is only limited by your imagination. For example, you need to beautifully decorate your terrace for a pleasant pastime. Or maybe you dream of a small pond with a cascade of murmuring water. If the project includes a swimming pool, then a changing cabin is needed, and the ground around the entire perimeter must be covered with safe materials.
Having equipped a fountain, you can listen to the sound of falling water. Some people do not need the presence of ponds on their plot, then a landscape design specialist can create the appearance of water with the help of a “dry” stream. The imagination of our landscape designers is limitless, and a photo gallery of our completed projects will help you in determining what your summer cottage should be like. Our company employs creative individuals who are experienced and highly qualified specialists who are ready to fill your garden with life, which will bring the joy of communicating with it for many years.
Our landscape design studio strives to preserve and improve the natural environment that has developed on the site. In this regard, each tree, shrub or part of the relief, at your request, will become integral organic elements of the new garden design. Our specialists love their work and will be happy to provide any assistance!

Nursery ornamental plants

We are engaged landscaping personal plots, dachas, suburban and urban areas. Our task is integrated approach to landscaping. We are ready not only to give you beautiful and adapted plants, but to deliver them and plant them.

Our plant nursery employs only competent and qualified specialists in various fields. Each of us has unique knowledge of planting and replanting plants, pruning trees and shrubs, we will tell you how to properly care for your garden and give recommendations on landscape design.

landscaping

Conifers
Deciduous
Shrubs
Fruit
Lianas
Annuals
Perennials

Thuja .

Thuja is an ornamental, evergreen coniferous plant with a dense crown of the Cypress family. Thuja can be either a shrub or a tree. Thujas live up to 90 - 200 years.
A little history...
The homeland of thuja is America. Americans call it the “Tree of Life.” Europeans also could not help but notice the beauty and unusual shape tree and soon brought it to the Old World in their gardens and parks. Thuja was brought to Russia in the 18th century, and it grew on the Black Sea coast, in the Crimea and in the Caucasus. Today Thuja can be found throughout Russia, both in the more southern territories and in the North of our country.
Highlighted in culture a large number of thujas have interesting pyramidal and spherical shapes, and their growth patterns are dwarf and tall. Thujas look great both in single plantings and in group plantings. This is a wonderful greening agent for our gardens, it is used in hedges and fences, it combines wonderfully with other garden plants, and also looks good on alpine slides and rock gardens, which have become very popular these days. Thuja will decorate any garden with its beauty, purifying the surrounding air from harmful impurities and imparting a wonderful aroma. They are planted along paths in the garden, planted in alleys. Thujas tolerate cutting well and can be given different shapes.

Types of thuja
In nature, there are five types of thuja: Western, Chinese, Korean, Japanese and folded. All species are evergreen, making them ideal for decorative landscaping. Moreover, all types of thuja differ in their crown shape, the color and shape of the needles, and their fragrant smell.

Thuja japonica - a tree reaching a height of 18 meters and having soft needles. Homeland - Japan. Frost-resistant, tolerate very low temperatures. Unpretentious in care and not demanding on moisture. But it cannot grow in polluted cities, since it is demanding on the cleanliness of the surrounding air, due to this it is not widespread.

Thuja Korean - a tree with a wide crown and spreading branches with soft needles. Homeland - Korean Peninsula. With unusual long (up to 20 mm) leaves with an elongated triangular-ovate shape. The color of the needles on back side- bright silver tone, on the front side - dark green tone. In Russia, it grows only in the southern regions, as it does not tolerate frosts above -100C.

Thuja giant or folded - this is very beautiful bush, resembling a cypress tree. The fastest growing type of thuja (up to 30 cm per year). Pyramidal in shape, 15 meters high and 3 - 5 meters wide. The needles of this species are shiny and dark green in color, with white spots below, and have a strong aroma. Winter-hardy and wind-resistant, does not tolerate high temperatures, grows well in humid areas. There are many varieties of thuja foldata.

Arbor vitae - This is an Asian species. Most often it has the form of a bush, reaching a height of 18 meters. It has cones 1-3 cm long. The branches are flat and grow vertically, not horizontally, like other species. Light- and heat-loving, drought-resistant, not demanding on soils, not winter-hardy.

Thuja occidentalis - the most popular type.
The tree is pyramidal in shape, reaching 15 - 20 meters in height and 3 - 5 meters in width. It has inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers and red-brown cones. The western thuja has dark green needles, which are lighter below, and in winter the needles turn brown, but turn green again in the spring. The root system is fibrous, branched, and can lift the road surface. Western thuja grows well in partial shade and in the sun; if it grows in dense shade, it becomes thinner, which spoils its appearance. It is not whimsical, is not picky about soil, and also grows well in humid and cool areas, does not tolerate drought and heat. Wind resistant. This species is suitable for cultivation in all regions. Thuja occidentalis is a long-lived tree, living up to 1000 years or more. The thuja occidentalis species has many varieties that have a variety of shapes, but thujas stand out especially for their beautiful and unusual geometric shapes: pyramidal, columnar, spherical and others. Also prized are dwarf and low-growing thujas and those with needles of unusual colors: golden, white-variegated.

In the middle zone, a widespread species is the thuja occidentalis; other species in our area are not yet oklematized and are therefore dying. This species is the most unpretentious and undemanding to growing conditions.

Conditions for growing thuja
Thujas are unpretentious and grow in almost any conditions and on any soil: sand, clay, turf.They prefer lush, moist, fertile, slightly acidic soils.They grow well in the sun and in partial shade; in the shade they lose their attractiveness and begin to thin out. It is better to choose an area where there is no sun all day long. Trees do not like drought and high temperatures. In early spring, thuja can get a sunburn, which then quickly recovers. Thujas are moisture-loving, can grow in damp areas, but do not like close proximity groundwater(closer than 2 m), at the same time they are drought-resistant, although in very dry times it is better to sprinkle twice a week so that the needles do not lose their decorative properties. Arborvitae can be grown in open ground, and also as a potted crop. Can be used in single and group plantings, as a hedge.

Planting thuja
Thuja is planted in early spring in early April or autumn in October. When planting, you should not bury the plant, sprinkle the soil at the level of the root collar; in places where there is stagnant water (melt or rain), it is better to make a small drainage (20 cm). It is important to maintain the correct distance between thujas in a group planting; it can be from 1 to 5 meters, namely, when planting a single-row hedge, the distance is 1 meter, with a double-row hedge - up to 2 meters, and when planting large types of thujas in an alley - up to 5 meters . It should be remembered that trees will grow not only in height, but also in width.
Thujas with a closed root system take root much easier.

Thuja care
Thuja does not require special care; the main care is watering. As soon as you planted the thuja, then for the first month you should water it once a week, 10 liters each; if there is a drought, then 2 times a week, 20 liters each. Thujas love moist soils, under this condition they will have bright and lush needles. If the soil is dry, the crown will be sparse and the needles will begin to turn yellow. For the first three years, you need to loosen the top layer of soil around the tree to a depth of no more than 10 cm, because The root system of the thuja is located almost on the surface of the earth; it should be mulched with sawdust or peat (mulch layer 7 cm). Once a year (it is better to do this in the spring) you need to fertilize the tree with mineral or organic fertilizers. A snowy winter, even on an adult thuja, can damage the crown and break the branches, so the necessary measures should be taken in the fall. To protect the crown from heavy snow, the tree is tied up, and in early spring, when there is still snow and the bright sun is already shining, the young tree should be darkened (from sunburn) with covering material. Every spring you need to remove dry shoots. Hedge trimming should be done in a moderate amount, no more than a third of the shoot. Keep in mind that thujas should be cut with powerful pruning shears to avoid indentations at the ends of the cut.