Content
The wild western thuja is a tree with high frost resistance, therefore it is widely used by landscape designers to decorate the territory in regions with cold climatic conditions. Large size formed the basis of a large number of varieties, differing in color and crown shape. Thuja Woodwardi is one of the first artificially created dwarf cultivars. The variety has been grown since the beginning of the 20th century for the design of gardens, summer cottages, urban recreation areas, sanatoriums and children's institutions.
Description of thuja Woodwardy
Thuja Woodwardi is a bright decorative representative of breeding varieties. It is an evergreen, perennial shrub with a dense, rounded crown. The plant lends itself well to cutting, does not change color by autumn. An unpretentious, slow-growing crop withstands winter frosts and spring temperature drops well. The growth in 12 months is 4-6 cm. Up to 10 years old, the height of the thuja is 0.5-0.7 m, the volume of the crown is 1 m. An adult plant at the age of 25 can reach a height of up to 1.5 m.
Description and characteristics of thuja western Woodwardie, shown in the photo:
- The spherical crown of thuja is formed by a large number of thin, flexible shoots of light brown color. The lower and middle stems are longer than the branches of the upper part of the shrub, grow horizontally, branched at the crown. There are no resin passages.
- Dense needles of saturated green color, scaly, tightly pressed to the shoots, length - 4 cm. The color of needles of the current year and perennials is the same, by the fall the tone remains unchanged. The needles are tough, but not prickly. Once every three years, the upper part of the branches falls off, during the season the crown is completely restored.
- There are few cones, they are light brown in color, consist of thin numerous scales, grow every year, give yellow seeds, equipped with thin, transparent lionfish.
- The root system is mixed, the central part is deepened, the lateral roots are thin, tightly intertwined, they provide the thuja with nutrition, the central ones are responsible for the supply of moisture.
- The dwarf form of the western thuja Woodwardy is a wind-resistant plant that does not respond to adverse environmental factors. The cultivar retains its decorative effect in partial shade; in an open area, the needles do not burn.
The use of thuja Woodwardi in landscape design
The Woodwardi western thuja variety has been used for many years by professional designers and amateur gardeners in ornamental gardening. The perennial culture grows slowly, responds well to haircuts, maintains a given shape during the season, does not require correction. It harmoniously combines with almost all representatives of the flora, both large-sized and flowering herbaceous shrubs. Thuyu Woodwardi is included in compositions, planted in a group or as a single plant. Below are a few photos with Woodwardy western thuja in landscape design combinations.
In the form of a decorative hedge dividing the areas of the personal plot.
Curb option on the sides of the garden path.
Registration of the central part of the lawn.
In a group composition with flowering plants and dwarf forms.
In mixborders.
Breeding features
According to the description of the variety, thuja western Woodwardie propagates by seeds and vegetatively. The generative method is the most productive, but it will take more time, from the moment of laying the seeds and placing the thuja seedling on the site, 3 years should pass. The vegetative method will give the result faster, but not all the harvested material will be able to take root.
Recommendations for breeding western thuja Woodwardie:
- Seeds. Planting material ripens in mid-autumn - this is the time for collecting cones. The seeds are sown directly into containers or a greenhouse. Capacities for the winter are left on the site. Until spring, the seeds will undergo natural stratification, at the end of May young growth will appear, the covering structure is removed, the plant is watered. For the winter, the seedlings are protected from frost. The next year, in mid-July, they select strong seedlings and dive into separate small containers, cover for the winter. The next year, thuja seedlings are planted.
- Cuttings. To propagate thuja western Woodward, the material is harvested from two-year-old shoots. They take strong branches, the middle will go to cuttings 25-30 cm long. The sections are treated with a 5% manganese solution and planted in fertile soil. During the summer, they are constantly watered, they are sheltered for the winter. The next year, the rooted material will form the first shoots, the thuja seedlings that have successfully overwintered are planted on the site in the spring.
- Layers. The work is carried out at the end of May, a furrow 6 cm deep is dug near the bush, a lower stem is placed in it, fixed, covered with soil. The next year in the spring (after the emergence of shoots), plots are cut and planted.
Reproduction of thuja Woodwardi by layering is the fastest way, but less productive, since the survival rate of seedlings is low.
Planting and caring for Woodwardy thuja
Before planting, a self-grown seedling of western thuja Woodwardi is carefully dug out so as not to damage the root, and placed in a manganese solution for 5 hours, then in the preparation "Kornevin" for 3 hours. Generatively grown thuja seedlings are removed from the container along with a lump, examined, cut if there are damaged or dry areas, disinfected and stimulated for better rooting. The acquired thuja seedling does not need preparatory measures; it is treated with an antifungal drug in the nursery. In the photo, thuja Woodwardi, grown independently from seeds, a seedling with a 3-year growing season is ready for transplantation.
Recommended timing
The adult thuja western Woodwardy is one of the most frost-resistant representatives of the species. Without freezing of the shoots and the root system, it tolerates a drop in temperature to -40 0C, spring frosts have no effect on further vegetation. Young plants (up to 5 years old) are less resistant to frost. There is a risk that the thuja planted in autumn will die. The autumn planting of thuja Woodwardi is only suitable for the South. In temperate climates, spring work is carried out after warming up the soil to +7 0C. Therefore, the timing of planting thuja for each location will be different. In the cold climatic zone, this is mid-May. In the South - early April or late September.
Site selection and soil preparation
The western thuja of the Woodwardi variety is a thermophilic plant with good drought resistance, but it does not tolerate waterlogging of the root ball, so the planting site is chosen open, without running groundwater. Lowlands, where excess moisture accumulates, are not suitable for planting. The shrub retains its decorative effect in partial shade, but it is better to place the thuja in a place open to sunlight.
The soil for thuja is chosen light, fertile, aerated. The composition is neutral or slightly alkaline, on acidic or salty soil, thuja grows poorly, the crown is formed loose, decorativeness is low. Before planting, the site is dug up, the acidic composition is neutralized with alkaline agents. Mix a nutrient substrate from sand, compost, peat, turf layer (in equal amounts), add superphosphate (100 g).
Landing algorithm
2 days before planting thuja, they dig a hole 50 cm deep, 10 cm in diameter larger than the root of the seedling, and fill it with water. Planting algorithm for thuja western Woodwardy:
- At the bottom of the recess, a drainage cushion is made of coarse gravel or pebbles and expanded clay (layer 20 cm).
- A layer of substrate is poured on top.
- Thuja Woodwardy sapling is set in the center of the pit.
- Fall asleep with the remnants of the fertile mixture, the root collar should remain 2 cm above the ground.
- Compacted and watered abundantly.
- When the moisture is absorbed, mulch with straw, peat or wood chips. If the purpose of planting is to create a hedge, the interval between thuja should be at least 1 m.
Growing and care rules
Western thuja Woodwardi is popular for its ability to maintain decorative habit even under unfavorable conditions. Agricultural technology is standard, it does not differ from the method of growing all representatives of the Cypress family.
Watering schedule
Tuyu Woodwardi under the age of 5 is watered 2 times a week with 8-12 liters of water. An adult plant needs 2 waterings per month. It is necessary to periodically loosen the soil and remove weeds. Sprinkling in the morning or evening is recommended during the dry season.
Top dressing
For normal growth of a Woodwardy thuja seedling, the nutrients introduced during planting are sufficient for 3 years. In the future, the plant needs feeding. In the spring, they bring in funds containing potassium and phosphorus, in the middle of summer they fertilize with organic matter, periodically cover the root circle with wood ash.
Pruning
Until 5 years of vegetation, Woodwardi thuja does not make shaping haircuts. If necessary, carry out a health-improving pruning, the shoots frozen in winter are removed. Crooked or weak stems and dry areas are harvested. In the sixth year of growth, you can cut the crown, giving it the intended shape. The work is carried out at the beginning of summer, the molding will last for two years, then the event is repeated.
Preparing for winter
Thuja western Woodwardy is a frost-resistant plant, an adult shrub does not need a crown shelter for the winter, a snow cover is enough. In autumn, water-charging irrigation is carried out and the layer of mulch is increased. Young seedlings are more vulnerable, preparatory activities include:
- hilling;
- increased mulch;
- covering the crown with any moisture-resistant material;
- from above the bush is covered with snow.
Pests and diseases
Western thuja Woodwardi with waterlogged soil is affected by late blight, the infection can lead to the death of the plant. It is recommended to cut back on watering or transplant it to soil with good drainage. Less often, a fungal disease of shute is observed, spreading to the stems and needles, the affected areas turn yellow and die off. In the fight against fungus, the drug "Kartotsid" is effective.
Of the pests parasitizes on the Woodwardi thuja:
- aphid - eliminate the pest with a concentrated soap solution;
- speckled moth - caterpillars get rid of "Fumitoks";
- spider mite - treated with colloidal sulfur.
In the spring, for preventive purposes, Woodwardi's thuja is sprayed with copper-based preparations.
Conclusion
Thuja Woodwardi is a dwarf form of western thuja, a frost-resistant plant, unpretentious to the place of cultivation. The culture gives insignificant annual growth, does not require frequent haircuts. Ornamental shrubs are used in landscape design of homestead and summer cottages, gardens, urban recreation areas, sanatoriums and childcare facilities.
