We’re back again for Meet the Plants Monday!

For this week’s plant, we’re going big. Like, tree-sized. Meet Tsuga canadensis, otherwise known as the Eastern or Canadian Hemlock! This is a large evergreen conifer that prefers shaded cool areas with moist soil – it’s actually the most shade-tolerant tree in North America – and it’s a WI native. Its needles are soft and short (no worries about getting stabbed by this one) and the color is a deep shiny green.

You’ll need a good amount of space for these, as they can get up to 70′ tall and 35′ wide in their native forest habitat (though more commonly 25-45′ tall in a landscape) and they make a great screening plant. It’s also a favorite of birds and other wildlife for both food and cover.

If you don’t have space for a full-size evergreen tree, there are also several interesting cultivars available: ‘Gentsch White’ is a shrub-like form (8’x6′), ‘Pendula’ has a wide weeping form (10’x25′), and there are a couple golden-needled varieties such as Golden Duke (up to 10’x4′) and Golden Duchess (4’x5′). Regardless of cultivar, all hemlocks need cool, mulched soil and part shade to shaded conditions. They may also need protection from strong winter winds.

?I like this plant for it’s shade tolerance, ecological function, interesting brown-red bark, and it’s beautiful open form. It’s a tree with a lot of character and can make a great specimen, too!

?Do watch out for deer with this one -it will need protection especially when young. One other potential concern is Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. This insect pest has not been found in Wisconsin but it has devastated hemlock populations in the eastern US.