Also known as Hemlock · 83 gardener saves
Tsuga: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tsuga, the genus most gardeners know as hemlock. We track 4 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 4 most-saved Tsuga varieties
Of 4 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCurley Canadian Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis 'Curley'
#2 most savedWeeping Canadian Hemlock
Tsuga canadensis 'Pendula'
Tsuga Canadensis Ted's Christmas Tree
Tsuga canadensis 'Ted's Christmas Tree'
Eastern Hemlock Prostrate
Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate'
How to grow Tsuga
What the Tsuga varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tsuga year
- Check for PestsMarch–October100% of varieties
Inspect for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (white cottony masses).
- PlantMarch, April, September and October75% of varieties
Plant in well-drained, acidic soil during cool weather.
- PruneFebruary and March75% of varieties
Lightly shape in late winter; remove dead or crossing branches.
- Spray TreatmentFebruary50% of varieties
Apply dormant oil in late winter or late fall for pest control (HWA).
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune to maintain shape in late winter
- Mulch to preserve soil moisture
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Prune lightly to maintain shape ❌
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don't fertilize heavily in fall
- Never prune during late summer
- Avoid over-pruning which can stress the tree ❌
What goes wrong with Tsuga
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil and prune infested branches |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on branches | Introduce natural predators or spray with water |
| Hemlock Woolly Adelgid | Small, white, cottony sacs at the base of needles on twigs. Causes needle drop, dieback, and tree death. | Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap sprays can be effective if coverage is thorough. Systemic insecticides (imidacloprid, dinotefuran) are most effective. |
| Root rot | Wilting and discolored needles | Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering |
| Eastern Hemlock Blight | Needle browning and dieback | Improve air circulation, remove affected parts, use fungicide |
| Needle blight | Browning needles | Remove affected branches, ensure good air circulation |
Making more Tsuga
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Insert into moist rooting medium.
- Maintain humidity and keep in indirect light for 6 weeks.
- Transplant rooted cuttings into the garden.
Seed
- Collect seeds in fall after cones mature.
- Stratify seeds in moist medium for 8 weeks.
- Plant in pots with well-draining soil in spring.
- Keep soil moist and provide indirect light.
- Transplant seedlings after they develop several leaves.
Tsuga questions
How many types of Tsuga are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Tsuga varieties. The most popular — ranked by 83 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tsuga grow in?
Across its varieties, Tsuga covers USDA Zones 4–8. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tsuga bloom?
Most Tsuga varieties bloom in early spring, mid-spring, spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tsuga should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
By hardiness zone
Design with Tsuga in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
