Tsuga mertensiana

RHS Plant Profile
mountain hemlock

Other common names

Californian hemlock

Conifers Trees

A fairly slow-growing evergreen tree, broadly conical in habit, with blue-grey linear leaves aranged all round the brown shoots; pendulous cones are 5-8cm in length, with recurved scales

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Pinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Tsuga are evergreen trees, broadly conical in habit, with a drooping leading shoot,linear leaves which are white beneath, and small ovoid cones
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Western N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Good specimen tree

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cutings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free