Spherical thuja varieties are the best

A small evergreen beauty - spherical thuja - has won the hearts of gardeners all over the world. This is not surprising: an ornamental plant can take root in any conditions, without requiring special care. There are only five types of thuja: Sichuan, Korean, Japanese, giant and western. However, in Russia, only the western thuja can be grown, and it will become the main character of this article! Do not be confused - we will not talk about the types of spherical thuja, but about the varieties of one type of thuja.

Teddy

This variety has appeared quite recently and has already gained unprecedented popularity. It's all about his amazing appearance. Thanks to its dense and lush crown, this spherical variety of thuja looks like a bright pillow. In addition, Teddy is the fluffiest and softest variety, and therefore is in demand even though it is considered quite capricious. An evergreen dwarf grows slowly, at the age of ten its height is no more than 30 cm, and its width is 40 cm.

Among the advantages of Teddy, one can note its hardiness to shaded areas - a couple of hours spent in the sun will be enough for this variety. In this case, the plant needs regular watering, otherwise the needles will turn yellow. In order for the branches of the thuja Teddy to grow evenly, you should not overfeed the shrub.

This globular thuja variety is perfect for creating stone gardens and alpine slides. At the same time, it is important to take into account the change in the color of the needles at different times of the year - in the fall, Teddy changes a rich green shade to bronze. This variety is combined with other thujas, lush flowers and ornamental shrubs. In addition, Teddy is suitable for placement on verandas, balconies and even in rooms! Green thuja will add color and freshness to any interior.

Danica

This variety was bred in 1948 in Denmark. It can be called one of the most compact representatives of spherical tui. It grows slowly - the annual growth in height is about 5 cm, in width - 4 cm. In ten years, with proper planting and care, thuja Danica can grow up to 50 cm, and its diameter will not exceed a meter!

One of the main advantages of this variety is its simplicity. Danica feels great in shaded areas, and it grows in direct sunlight. The only thing that thuja will not tolerate is proximity to groundwater. In this case, the plant must receive enough moisture. It is better to choose fertile soil. How to care and plant thuja Danica? First, it is necessary to choose shoots with a strong root system, without damaged roots. A layer of rubble should be laid out in the planting pit. By the way, it is worth planting a plant in the spring - over the summer the root system will develop, the thuja will strengthen and overwinter without problems. Before the onset of cold weather, it is worth covering young shoots with sacking.After each watering, the coniferous shrub must be loosened, and once a year, mulched. Gardeners recommend pruning Danica in early spring. Damaged, dry branches should be removed.

In garden design, thuja of this globular variety can be combined with other shrubs of the same shape. Group plantings look organic. Of course, such a hedge will not become an obstacle to prying eyes, but it will add coziness and completeness to the garden!

Teeny Tim

Teeny Tim appeared in the gardens over 50 years ago. Thuja needles have a deep dark green color. Representatives of this variety grow extremely slowly - at the age of ten, Tini Tim's growth is only 30 cm.The diameter of a thuja can reach one and a half meters.

Taking care of Tini Tim will not be difficult, even for novice gardeners. The shrub does not make any special demands on the composition of the soil. The main condition is a lot of sunlight.

This spherical thuja in landscape design is usually used to create alpine slides. You can plant it in groups, or you can plant it alone. Either way, this delightful shrub will beautify your garden!

Hoseri

This masterpiece was invented by Polish breeders. Tuya Hoseri is miniature, but at the same time has a unique texture. This variety of western thuja loves the sun's rays, so the choice of a place for it should be approached responsibly. Khozeri has no special requirements for soil.

Compact thuja looks good next to other miniature plants. Compositions with lush flowers, for example, peonies, will diversify the garden. By the way, very often Khozeri is planted along the facades of shopping centers and residential buildings. It is suitable for border decoration.

Golden Globe

Thuya Golden Globe is distinguished by a rich yellow color. With age, the color changes to golden. This dwarf coniferous ball brings the landscape to life, even on gloomy days! Closer to winter, the color of the thuja becomes copper. A cute dwarf grows very slowly, 7-9 cm per year. By the age of 20, the diameter of the shrub will be about 120 cm.

Gardeners love the Golden Globe thuja for its unpretentiousness: it does not need to be cut, the soil can be almost any, there is no need for frequent fertilization. No need to cover the plant for the winter - it is frost-resistant. Occasionally it is necessary to water and remove damaged branches. Sanitary pruning of thuja stimulates growth, makes the crown thicker.

Low thuja looks great in small gardens as tapeworms. The Golden Globe shrub is perfect for the formation of hedges, it can be combined with flowering plants and thuja of other varieties. Miniature thuja will become a decoration of office premises, apartments, balconies and terraces, because it can be grown in containers.

Bowling Ball

The name of this thuja speaks for itself. This globular shrub has perfect symmetrical shapes. Its height can reach 70 cm, and its diameter is usually 100 cm. The needles outwardly look like a fringe, tightly pressed to the shoots. Closer to cold weather, the green color of the crown acquires a bronze tint.

Ball-shaped thuja of the Bowling Ball variety can take root even in a shaded area. The soil for it must be nutritious, it is important to ensure timely watering. With proper care, the annual growth of coniferous shrubs can be 16-19 cm.

Bowling Ball is an irreplaceable element of Japanese and heather gardens, alpine slides, walking paths. Thuja will decorate the shore of a small reservoir and forest edges.

Woodwardy

One of the most popular varieties is Woodwardi's globular thuja. Its low growth (about half a meter) and shade tolerance allow it to be used as an undergrowth and planted among tall trees. Thanks to this, on the site, you can create a landscape that is as close to natural as possible.

Among the advantages of the variety are good survival rate of seedlings, relative unpretentiousness and resistance to frost. Even -40 ° C will not harm the shrub. A young plant will need shelter before the cold weather. Experts recommend covering the thuja with sacking for the winter.You need to take it off not before the snow melts.

In the early years, Woodwardy has a strict spherical shape, but with age it stretches and takes the shape of an oval. By the way, among other advantages, gardeners highlight the healing properties of the plant - Woodwardi ionizes and purifies the air!

Hovea

This variety is considered one of the fastest growing. Spherical thuja grows up to 1.5 meters by the age of 10! The shape of the ball changes to ovoid with age. Hovea has many advantages:

• it is unpretentious, it grows in almost any soil;
• thuja tolerates frost well;
• drought and high humidity are not terrible for this variety;
• a haircut will not stress the bush.

In winter, the juicy green color takes on a brown tint. How can spherical thuja be used in landscape design? Hovea is a great option for small areas. But it also looks advantageous in spacious panoramic parks. Thanks to the possibility of growing thuja in a container, you can decorate balconies and loggias, roofs of buildings.

Emerald

This is another representative of the western thuja. At the very beginning of its growth, thuja Smaragd is spherical, but over the years it is significantly extended. A few decades after planting, the shrub can reach a height of five meters! But for this it is important to follow all the rules for caring for a capricious ephedra!

Smaragd prefers loams, soil with a high lime content. It is recommended to plant thuja in sunny places. The plant needs periodic watering, mulching and loosening. The result of proper care will delight you - the thuja will acquire a dark green color that will not lose even in winter! If you want thuja to please more than one generation of your descendants, feel free to plant a thuja of this variety: its lifespan can be more than 150 years!

An amazing plant is used as hedges. Less commonly, gardeners plant it in containers. Smaragd is perfect for creating garden sculptural compositions.

Little Champion

Bright and compact - this is how the spherical thuja of the Little Champion variety can be characterized. The maximum height of the shrub will not exceed one and a half meters, and the width - 90-100 cm. True, the growth process is extremely slow. By the age of 10, the Champion will only grow up to 70-80 cm.

This thuja is frost-hardy, but it needs light cover to protect it from the pressure of the snow. The plant prefers partial shade, it needs moist fertile soils. With proper care, the thuja will acquire a beautiful green color, which will change to bronze brown in winter.

Seat selection and landing

You are now familiar with the main varieties of spherical thuja. How do you grow these cute shrubs? You should start by choosing a place.

Experienced gardeners say - thuja can grow on any site. But to improve the appearance, it is better to choose a bright place. In the shade, coniferous shrubs can lose their splendor and change color. It is important that there are no drafts in the selected area.

Two weeks before planting, you need to prepare a pit. The depth should not exceed 70-80 cm. Drainage must be laid on the bottom. The soil must be prepared independently: it is necessary to mix two parts of sod land and one part of peat and sand. It is worth adding 5 grams of nitroammophoska to the mixture. It is best to plant thuja in open ground in a permanent place at the age of 5-7 years. It is worth doing this in the fall, before frost, or in early spring.

It is important to keep the spacing between plants. For small spherical thujas, it should not be less than one meter. After planting, the plant will need watering and feeding. Any growth stimulant is perfect. The substances that make up them will help the plants to take root and protect the seedlings from diseases.

Care

Caring for miniature conifers consists of three main stages - watering, feeding and pruning.

Both young shoots and adult thuja prefer a humid environment. It is best if water flows not only to the roots, but also to the crown.Moisture will keep the plant in good shape: the color of the needles will become brighter, moreover, it will acquire shine, the branches will become elastic.

The optimal irrigation regime is 10 liters of water per week. In the summer heat, the plant will need 10 liters of water every two to three days. To understand that thuja needs water is quite simple - due to a lack of moisture, the crown will turn yellow, a large number of not very beautiful cones will appear on the plant. Loosening carried out immediately after watering will help prevent rotting.

In the first two to three years after planting, it is not necessary to feed the thuja. Later, organic and mineral substances can be added at the rate of 100 grams per 1 sq. m. Thuja reacts to fertilizing with increased growth, splendor. Often there is no need to fertilize shrubs; it is enough to do this 1-2 times at the beginning of the season. You can use ordinary compost, fertilizers for conifers are also suitable.

Thuja pruning is necessary to limit height and crown formation. More than 10% of the crown must not be cut from miniature plants. If you cut more, the plant may die. The best time for this procedure is April, but you can slightly adjust the shape of the crown throughout the summer. You need to start with branches that grow incorrectly. Then it is recommended to remove diseased and dry shoots. Thin the thuja for air circulation.

Pests and diseases

Problems with spherical thuja arise only in two cases - when diseases or pests appear.

Excessive fertilization leads to burns of the root system, and, consequently, to yellowing of the crown of a coniferous bush. Another reason for the appearance of a yellow tint is the defeat of thuja aphids. It usually damages the underside of the shoots. Spraying with karbofos will help protect the plant from this pest.

Another dangerous pest is the speckled moth. Its size is only 4 mm, but it poses a serious danger. After the defeat of the thuja motley, the upper part of the shoots of the bush dies off, the needles turn brown. As a prophylaxis, you can treat thuja several times with preparations based on pyrethroids. The best time for this is the end of June.

With an excess of moisture, the plant can infect late blight. This disease affects the thuja root and then spreads to the top layer. The shrub withers, the needles acquire a gray color, the trunk becomes soft. Thuja roots acquire a rotten smell.

Phytophthora is easier to prevent than to cure. To do this, it is necessary to loosen the ground around the thuja, water it with fungicides. If the disease nevertheless reached the bush, the thuja should be burned and the land changed.

In early spring, the plant can strike another disease - it has brown shoots. If treatment is not started in time, the branches of the plant will begin to die off. To avoid this, all brown shoots should be removed. After - be sure to sprinkle with limestone and spray with foundation.

Our detailed descriptions with photos will help you choose the right variety that fits perfectly into the design of the flower garden. All these conifers tolerate frost well and do not require painstaking care.

Thuja western is distinguished by a variety of varieties: there can be both stately trees (up to 15 m high) and dwarf ones, whose height in adulthood does not exceed 30 cm. In addition, thuja needles differ in structure, shape and color. Some specimens are not alike at all. Thanks to such a variety, everyone can choose the one they like.

For you, we have compiled a rating of thujas, which are most often used in landscape design due to their attractiveness and unpretentiousness.

20th place - Miki, or Mikey (Miky)

It is an evergreen dwarf plant with a small cone-shaped crown and bright green shiny needles. This thuja looks like a small pyramid. It looks great both in single and group plantings (for example, in curbs).

Thuja western Miki prefers moist and fertile soils, capable of withstanding short-term drought and stagnant water.The most suitable place for growing is a sunny area, but the tree can develop well in partial shade.

Young plants (up to 3 years old) require more painstaking care. In early spring, they need to be shaded from the bright sun, regularly watered and sprayed in the heat, and also mulch the trunk circle. Crohn does not need shaping.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	80			High but in snowless winters young plants may freeze

19th place - Rheingold

Globular at a young age, the crown of this shrub gradually becomes conical. Thuja Reingold grows rather slowly: up to 5 cm in width and up to 10 cm in height per year. At the age of 10 years, the height of the plant is no more than 1 m.

The needles are thin, soft, needle-like, covered with scales with age. In summer, in the sun, the needles acquire a golden hue, and in winter they become bronze. If you plant the thuja western Rheingold in the shade, its color will be less bright, and the crown will become loose.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 300			High

18th place - Sunkist

This rather tall tree with a conical crown grows 15 cm in height and up to 10 cm in width per year. At the age of 10, thuja Sankist reaches a height of 2 m. The needles are scaly, in spring they are yellow-lemon, in summer they are golden, and in autumn and winter they are bronze.

Thuja Sankist can grow on any soil, but prefers fertile and moist soil. Resistant to dryness and waterlogging. In order for the color of the needles to be as bright as possible, the plant must be planted in open sunny areas.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 400			High

17th place - Hoseri

This is a relatively new variety of Polish selection. The compact shrub resembles a ball in shape. The needles are dense, scaly, in spring and summer they are dark green, and in autumn they acquire a bronze tint.

Thuja Hozeri grows well both in the sun and in the shade, while its color does not fade. However, the plant is sensitive to air pollution and dryness: to moisten it, it is necessary to regularly sprinkle the crown, especially in dry weather. In addition, thuja Hoseri needs frequent watering.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	60-80	60-80		High

16th place - Mr. Bowling Ball (Mr. Bowling Ball)

This dwarf shrub in the form of a ball is loved by many for its openwork crown, reminiscent of lace. The needles are filamentary, soft, gray-green, in winter they acquire a light bronze tint.

Thuja Mister Bowling Ball prefers sunny locations with well-drained, light and moderately moist soil. In the spring, the needles must be protected from sunburn. To grow an ideal spherical thuja, the crown should be formed annually in early spring or mid-summer.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	60-90	60-90		High

15th place - Tiny Tim (Tiny Tim)

Another attractive thuja with a spherical crown. The needles are dense, scaly, dark green, in winter they acquire a bronze tint. The shrub grows very slowly, at the age of 10 years it reaches no more than 30 cm in height and 40 cm in width. The plant loves light, is undemanding to the composition of the soil, is able to tolerate drought and stagnant water, as well as polluted city air.

Tuya Tini Tim does not need formative pruning, as it independently forms a compact and dense crown.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	50-100	100-150		High

14th place - Little Gem (Little Gem)

This thuja in the form of a flat ball grows quite quickly: 10-12 cm per year. The needles are dense, scaly, in spring and summer they are dark green, in winter they are green-brown. Numerous shoots are strongly branched, from the center directed to the sides and up.

Thuja Little Jam does not tolerate dry air, so in the summer it needs regular watering and spraying of the crown.The shrub retains its attractive shape without formative pruning.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	50-70	60-100		High

13th place - Fastigiata

This columnar thuja was bred in Germany, it grows quickly (about 30 cm per year) and looks like a cypress. The branches of the tree are tightly pressed to the trunk, the needles are soft, from light to dark green, their color does not change throughout the year.

The plant prefers sunny places with moderately moist loamy soil. When planting, the trunk circle must be mulched with mowed grass. This will help improve soil structure and retain moisture.

Due to their high growth, Fastigiata varieties are often used to create hedges.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 1200	Up to 130		High

12th place - Little Giant, or Little Giant

The short, spherical thuja Little Giant during the growth period is covered with bright green needles, which in winter change color to bronze-green. The dense and frequent shoots of the shrub grow rather slowly. The plant needs fertile loamy soil, moderate watering and shading of the crown in the spring.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	80			High

11th place - Woodwardii

Thuja western Woodwardi is a slow-growing tree with an ovoid or spherical crown. And the older it becomes, the more its branches diverge to the sides. Although the plant can grow up to 2.5 m in height, at the age of 10 it looks like a compact shrub with a height and width of 40-60 cm.

The needles are deep green in winter and summer, the color does not fade with a lack of sunlight, but in the shade the crown of the plant becomes narrower and thicker.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 250	Up to 200		High

10th place - Mirjam

This slow-growing shrub is attractive for its globular crown and brightly colored needles. It is thick, scaly, golden yellow, and takes on a beautiful orange hue in winter. But keep in mind that in the shade, the needles lose their rich golden color and turn green.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 80	Up to 80		High

9th place - Yellow Ribbon

This small tree with a conical crown grows 10-20 cm per year. In order for the crown of the plant to be less loose, it is necessary to regularly trim. Young needles are orange-yellow, in adulthood they turn green, and in winter they acquire a brown tint.

Thuja Yellow Ribbon is ideal for creating hedges. Trees must be planted in a sunny location, otherwise the needles will lose their bright shade and turn dark green.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	100-200	50-80		High

8th place - Holmstrup

A slender thuja with a dense columnar crown grows 12 cm in height and 4 cm in width in a year. The plant retains its neat shape even without formative pruning. The needles are dense, scaly, dark green all year round. The tree tolerates shade well, is resistant to dryness and waterlogging.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	200-300	100-120		High

7th place - Globosa

Thuja of western Globoza is characterized by a dense, rounded crown. The tree grows slowly (5 cm in height and width per year) and by the age of 10 reaches a height of no more than 1 m.The needles are scaly, during the year they change their color three times: in the spring it is light green, in the summer it is green, and in the winter it is green. brown.

Thuja can grow on any soil, but prefers moist loams. The plant does not tolerate dry air, therefore in the summer it needs regular spraying with water at room temperature.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 150	Up to 150		High

6th place - Teddy

Dwarf thuja Teddy with a spherical crown grows very slowly. At a young age, its needle-like needles are thin and not prickly, but over time they become more rigid. In spring and summer, the color of the needles is dark green, and in winter it is bronze.

The plant is sensitive to soil compaction, responds well to the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers, and tolerates cutting very well.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	30			High

5th place - Columna

This tall thuja with a narrow crown in the form of a column every year adds 15 cm in height and reaches a height of 3 m by the age of 10. The needles are scaly, dark green, shiny, do not change color throughout the year. Thuja Columna is ideal for creating a tall hedge.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	500			High

4th place - Golden Globe (Golden Globe)

Thuja western Golden Globe has a spherical crown, the tree grows by 10 cm per year. It has rather loose needles, but with the help of regular haircuts, you can achieve its greater density.

Thuja Golden Globe has an unusual and attractive color: the tips of the shoots that are illuminated by the sun are yellow-green, and inside the crown the needles are green. In autumn and winter, the plant takes on a copper hue.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Up to 100	Up to 120		High

3rd place - Danica

This variety was bred in Denmark back in 1948, but to this day it has not lost its popularity among landscape designers. A low spherical shrub with a dense crown grows very slowly (up to 5 cm in height and up to 4 cm in width per year). The needles are soft, thin, scaly, green. The branches are arranged vertically. This gives the plant an unusual look.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	50-80	Up to 100		High

2nd place - Brabant

This fast-growing tree can reach a height of 20 m, but in the middle lane it usually grows no more than 5 m.Every year, the growth is 40 cm in height and 15 cm in width. The popular Thuja Brabant has a conical crown, the branches of the plant often sink to the ground. The needles are green throughout the year, their young tips are slightly golden.

So that the thuja does not lose its attractive appearance, the crown must be cut 2 times per season. And do not be afraid to cut off excess shoots - they will grow back quickly.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	Before 2000	Up to 400		High

1st place - Smaragd

Among the popular conifers, this western thuja rightfully takes the first place. A tall tree with emerald green needles in appearance resembles a stately cypress. The crown is dense, narrow, pyramidal. The color of the needles does not change throughout the year and does not fade with a lack of lighting.

Thuja Smaragd grows rather slowly: per year by 10 cm in height and 5 cm in width. In the middle lane, this variety is very popular not only for its attractive appearance, but also for its excellent resistance to unstable climatic conditions.

Appointment	Height of an adult thuja (cm)	Width of an adult thuja (cm)		Frost resistance
	300-500	Up to 200		High

If you are fond of these attractive plants, be sure to read how to plant and grow them properly. You will find a lot of useful information in our articles:

• Thuja seedlings: how to choose and plant correctly?
• How to propagate thuja by cuttings in summer and autumn - detailed instructions
• Thuja - features of cultivation

Thuja globular is a frequent visitor to the gardens. The sizes of this plant can vary from several tens of centimeters to one and a half meters. The color of the crown also differs in different varieties.

Growing this decorative tree is not easy. Only the correct fit and care of the spherical thuja will provide it with a healthy dense crown and a spectacular rounded shape.

Species affiliation

Before proceeding to the recommendations for care, you should understand the origin of the thuja with a rounded crown shape. They are not a separate species, but a collection of specially bred varieties. In our climatic conditions, varieties of western thuja have become widespread. There are several explanations for this:

1. Thuja western spherical unpretentious and suitable for growing in our country.
2. The varietal variety of this species is so great that from the available varieties, you can choose a suitable option. In addition, the selection of new varieties continues to this day.

Spherical forms are found among other types of thuja (Japanese, Korean and others), but these varieties are difficult to grow in our climatic conditions outdoors. Further recommendations for care relate specifically to the globular varieties of western thuja.

Planting and leaving

Correct planting and caring for a spherical thuja in the garden are prerequisites for the good development of the tree.

When and where to plant?

When choosing a landing site, give preference to partial shade. In the shade, the plant will lose its decorative qualities, the crown will become rare, and the branches will stretch out. In areas with short daylight hours, spherical thuja can be planted in a well-lit place, but in the steppe zone, direct sunlight and low humidity will lead to sunburn and shedding of needles. The plant also negatively relates to drafts, so the planting site must be protected from the wind.

Thuja is unpretentious to the soil, but the best result can be achieved on fertile, moderately moist soils. In places where groundwater is high. In the lowlands of the beams and on loams, a drainage layer up to 20 cm thick is laid at the bottom of the planting pit.

The plant enters the active growing season in May, so it can be transplanted in early spring or autumn. The pit is prepared 2 weeks before planting, moistened and filled with a soil mixture: turf + peat + sand (2: 1: 1). The composition for transplantation can be additionally enriched with nitroammophos.

Plants that have reached the age of 5-7 years are transplanted, together with the root ball. Below in the photo is a spherical thuja, prepared for transplantation.

The root collar is not buried; it should be at the level of the soil surface. After planting, the seedlings are watered daily for a month (1 bucket of water for each tree). The first year after planting, the plant is sensitive to direct sunlight, so it is shaded with kraft paper, cloth or sunscreen.

Watering and loosening

Thuja with a spherical crown shape is resistant to short-term drought, but if the plant grows for a long time in conditions of water shortage, its crown thins. After a month after planting, young seedlings are watered once a week (10 liters for each plant). In a dry season, the number of waterings should be increased up to 2 times a week.

So that the roots of the plant "breathe", after each watering, the soil is loosened to a depth of 10 cm and mulched with peat, shavings or compost. The thickness of the mulch layer must be at least 7 cm.

Preparing for winter

Adult plants tolerate even frosty winters well, and young plants should be covered with spruce branches, fallen leaves or special agromaterials in late autumn. When the air temperature drops to -5 ° C, the plant is additionally wrapped in foil.

Pruning

The breeders took care of the preservation of the spherical shape of the crown, so there is no need to additionally form the plant. Every spring, sanitary pruning is carried out, removing dead and diseased branches. In the spring and at the end of summer, thujas are cut, which are used as a hedge.

Due to its dense crown, the tree lends itself well to decorative molding. An experienced gardener is able to shape it in many different ways.

Top dressing

Thuja are classified as slowly growing trees, so fertilizers must be applied carefully. The first 3 years of life after transplanting top dressing are not recommended.In subsequent years of life, the amount of fertilizer applied depends on the growth rate of the tree: less for dwarf varieties, more for tall ones.

Experts are skeptical about the application of organic fertilizers under coniferous trees. It is better to use commercially available complex fertilizers for thuja.

Reproduction

At home, thuja are propagated by cuttings. It is carried out in the fall after the end of the growing season or in the spring before bud break. For planting, cuttings from 50 cm long with a well-formed "heel" are used. In the lower part of the cutting, the needles are cut and treated with one of the root-forming compounds.

For planting, a special soil mixture is prepared: turf soil (1 part) + sand (1 part) + peat (1 part). The stalk is immersed in a moistened mixture for 3 cm and covered with foil to maintain the moisture level. If grafting is carried out in the fall, you need to take care of good lighting of the seedlings. Spring landings, on the other hand, shade.

Varieties

The varietal variety of thuja with a spherical crown is great. Trees differ in both size and color. Below are photos of the varieties and types of spherical thuja that are most common, as well as their description.

Globoza is a tall variety, the height of adult plants reaches 1.2-1.5 meters. The color of the needles changes depending on the season: in summer it is green, in winter it is brown. Plants of this variety do not require molding - by the age of 5-7 years, the trees become spherical, further growth is 5 cm in height and width annually, and the crown becomes thicker with age.

Thuja globular Danica is a low-growing variety (the height of mature trees is up to 80 cm). It gained popularity due to its unpretentiousness, winter hardiness and the ability to maintain shape without pruning.

The Reingold variety has a high decorative effect. The main feature of this tall plant (up to 1.5 m) is the unusual color of the needles: pinkish in spring, light golden in summer, and copper-yellow, almost brown in autumn.

One of the novelties of the selection is the dwarf spherical thuja of the Teddy variety. The height of this unusually dense shrub reaches 30 cm, while the needles that are atypical for thuja are remembered: smooth, rich green and not prickly. The plant is resistant to sunburn and does not lose its decorative effect for a long time.

Application in landscape design

Thuja globular found wide application in landscape design. These versatile trees go well with other plants and decorative items. Due to the slow growth, compositions with thuja retain their original appearance for a long time, therefore they are often used in mixborders, rock gardens and Japanese gardens.

Dwarf varieties grow well in containers and pots, with their help you can create a kind of coniferous lawn. As curbs or hedges, you can use a medium-sized variety of spherical thuja.

Video of dwarf spherical thuja

Thuja is an evergreen plant that can grow for fifty, or even a hundred years. Most of the species are hardy. Some plants look like shrubs, while others can grow over two meters in height.

Most often, thuja is used as an addition to the design of a garden or flower bed. Sometimes such a plant can be a separate element in the landscape.

The most common varieties in Russia

Western thuja is most suitable for the Russian climate. It is this plant that is also suitable for urban conditions.

There are five types of thuja in total: Korean, Western, Giant, Japanese, Sichuan... However, in the Russian climate, only the western one grows, and we will consider it, do not confuse the species and the variety! The article deals specifically with varieties of one type of tui-western thuja.

There are six of the most common western thuja varieties:

1. Brabant. This variety is used for hedges. After all, the height of this thuja reaches 5 meters, and the diameter is 1.5 meters. In one year, Brabant grows 30 centimeters in height and 15 in width.You can buy it in the nursery at any time of the year and of any size.
2. Columna. The silhouette is similar to the Crimean cypress trees. It grows up to 7 meters in height and up to 1.3 in diameter. These plants are great for recreating the Mediterranean style.
3. Emerald... Also resistant to frost and large gusts of wind. It grows up to 5 meters in height. However, this thuja is demanding on growing conditions and its growth rate is slow.
4. Holmstrup. It is the perfect thuja for lazy gardeners as it does not require much maintenance. Holmstrup is able to form a dense wall. Taking into account the slow growth rate, in 10 years it can grow by 3 meters in height.
5. Fastigiata... In central Russia, the height of this thuja reaches 6 meters. It makes a good hedge for covering unsightly landscapes or fencing off neighbors.
6. Wagneri... The maximum height of this tree is 4 meters. It tolerates frost very well, but does not like snowfalls. For planting this variety, it is better to choose an open place.

These varieties have a different crown, just below we will see the classification according to such a criterion as the shape of the crown.

Classification and forms of thuja

Tuyu can be divided into different classes depending on the design use. There are three groups:

• dwarf thuja are most often used to decorate rockeries;
• as a hedge - denser and taller plants;
• tapeworm species are created for planting one or a group of the same trees.

Differences also apply to the shape of the crown of plants. They may be:

1. Pyramidal. Some varieties of trees reach 20 meters in height. Shrubs are no more than two. Such thuja can be planted both as independent elements and in a group with others.
2. Columnar... This species is distinguished by a large number of varieties. They make good hedges with a height of 5 meters.
3. Keglevidnye. Usually low (up to 2 meters) and with dense branches.
4. Umbrella-shaped. Quite popular for small flower beds, since most varieties are dwarf (up to 1 meter in height).
5. Spherical. Thuja of this shape is a shrub with dense branches. Globular thuja grows slowly, gradually changing color.

Important: The main advantage of the spherical appearance is the unpretentiousness in terms of soil and good shade tolerance.

All types of thuja are suitable for land improvement and the creation of living fences. The variety of shapes and colors contributes to the ability to create compositions using only thuja. Below are the photos varieties with a spherical crown.

Globular thuja varieties

There are a huge number of varieties of spherical thuja. Among them there are both, changing color from season to season, and evergreen. Let's consider the most interesting ones.

1. Barbant

Strictly speaking, this variety does not have a spherical crown shape, but broad-columnar... However, due to the popularity of this species, as well as its pliability to the haircut, it is worth mentioning it.

This is the most common species in Russia in Western Europe. It is also called the Western Tree of Life. This is a multi-stemmed tree. Due to the density of the crown, you can create a fence from street noise and city dust. The age of such plants reaches 800 years.

With the onset of winter, Barbant does not change color. Has a conical crown, straight trunk. Dense and branched branches are arranged horizontally and in an arc.

Fact: The difference between Barbant and wild plants is its fast growth rate.

The maximum height of plants of this species is 20 meters, and the width is 4. In one year, thuja adds 30 centimeters in height and 10 in width.

Barbant is a very unpretentious variety. It can be planted in the shade or in the sun. It will calmly tolerate both very dry and wet soil. Differs from other varieties in ease of cutting.

It is best to buy a plant in a nursery, so it will already be acclimatized.

Planting does not require special skills - it is similar for all conifers. It is necessary to drop the root well, mulch once a year and weed constantly.Also, in the first year, you can water the thuja crown in the evenings. In this case, the water should be 17-30 degrees.

Do not allow the soil around the plant to become overgrown with weeds or lawns. The condition of the land should be monitored so that it does not dry out and does not become compacted after watering. The root system of the tree should not be exposed.

Barbant in landscape design

This variety looks best in the form of a hedge. Several trees in a line create a loose green fence. To do this, in the early stages, you should form the desired shape.

A denser fence can be made from Barbant if the seedlings are planted closer and in several rows.

Brabant can become such a design decision. Thanks to its dense branches, it is easy to cut and shape.

2. Danica

This thuja variety was bred in Denmark in 1948. Danica is a slow-growing shrub. In a year, it grows 5 centimeters in height and 4 centimeters in width. For 10 years, Danica can grow in height by no more than 50 centimeters, and the diameter will not exceed 1 meter.

Interesting: This variety is one of the smallest representatives of spherical tui.

This shrub can be placed both in a dark area and in the sun. The only difference is that in the light, Danica becomes brighter and denser.

For planting, you should choose fertile soil, you should pay attention to sufficient moisture.

It is better to plant this plant in spring. Over the summer, the thuja will be able to develop the root system and thus prepare for winter. There should be no groundwater at the landing site. If there are any, then you should compact the soil with rubble. It needs to be put in the planting hole. Better to make a layer of 20 centimeters.

It is recommended to loosen the soil near the bush after each watering. Mulching can be done once a year.

Dry and damaged branches should be removed every spring. At the same time, you can form a crown, make a transplant or pruning. It is better to close young bushes with burlap for the winter.

Danica in landscape design

Danica combines perfectly in garden design with other globular plants. It is important to pick up contrasting flower bushes. So the thuja greens will become even brighter.

This shrub also looks organic in a group lined up in a row. It can be either an independent element or work in conjunction with others, forming a living fence of shrubs.

Such a hedge is not an obstacle for prying eyes, but creates coziness and completes the whole composition.

3. Teddy

Teddy is a new type of dwarf spherical thuja. For 10 years of growth, it can reach 30 centimeters in height and 40 in width. It grows slowly.

This shrub has needle-like, but not thorny needles. In the autumn season, the color changes from dark green to bronze.

The plant is distinguished by its resistance to shade. A couple of hours in the sun per day will be enough for this variety of thuja. However, the soil should not be dry.

You cannot overfeed Teddy, otherwise the needles will grow rapidly and lose their shape.

In dry weather, be sure to water. Dried branches should be pruned at all times.

Interesting: Teddy is the softest and fluffiest variety of thuja. Although it is considered one of the most capricious.

This variety is more suitable for creating alpine slides, gardens with an emphasis on stone. When designing, it is worth considering changes in the color of the needles at different times of the year - so that such a property does not spoil the whole idea.

Teddy can be combined with other thujas of various shapes, shrubs and flowers. The main condition is that the style of the mountains must be respected - different levels of arrangement of elements, a stone embankment, breaking through grass, rare flowers. Large blocks of stones complete the overall picture. The use of boulders is also possible.

For this variety of thuja, it is quite acceptable to grow in a container. Due to its small size and small root system, this amount of soil will suffice for Teddy. This one is easy to place on a veranda, balcony or in a room. the alpine style can be preserved.Especially if the design of the apartment is Scandinavian. Teddy green thuja will only add color and freshness to the rooms.

4. Globoza

One of the brightest representatives of spherical thuja is the Globosa variety. This spruce is one of the most popular among landscape designers in the post-Soviet space. In the first years of life, the crown has the shape of a ball without the main trunk.

Within 10-15 years, the plant will form, so to speak, a leader shoot, and only then the spruce will acquire the shape of a triangle. This variety is often shaped like a ball after it has grown. Plant Excellent for cutting. One of the features is its color - blue.

Such a spruce can grow up to two meters in height and three in width. Such a tree can decorate both a small corner of the garden and become the centerpiece of a rocky garden.

5. Golden Globe

Goleden Glob is a worthy representative of its kind. Its dimensions reach about a meter later, both in height and in width for ten years. It has a yellow color that will appeal to many gardeners. Over time, the needles will acquire a golden color. Due to its size, such a spruce will perfectly fit into the landscape of small gardens and will be able to delight its owners. Often it becomes a decoration of the facades of houses in various office centers. Another advantage is its simplicity and frost resistance.

6. Hoseri

Hoseri is a masterpiece produced by Polish breeders. This thuja is perfect for people who like the texture of the Globosa variety, but because of the size of this spruce, they had to abandon planting it. Will be able to fit perfectly into the composition with any miniature plants. Over the years, it will take on the shape of a pillow. This variety is very fond of the sun's rays, so it is better to choose the appropriate place. Thuja Hoseri is often planted along the facades of houses and shopping centers.

7. Reingold

Rheingold is another dwarf shrub. 10 years after planting this variety, its height will be about a meter.

In the first years it will have the shape of a ball, then it will stretch out and take on an oval shape. A remarkable feature of this species is its color, which will also change in different seasons of the year. So in winter the thuja will be brown, and by summer it will become golden. It will look best as a hedge or as part of a composition in a small area. It is very demanding on moist and fertile soil.

8. Woodwardy

Woodwardii is a very popular cultivar among European gardeners. It has a rich green color, a fairly dense crown shape, and also has a fairly good survival rate and relative whimsicality.

The temperature in which thuja can still exist reaches -40 ° C. It can reach up to half a meter in height. In the first years after planting, it will have the shape of a ball, but therefore, over time, it will stretch and acquire the shape of an oval. It has excellent ionizing and purifying properties of the air, so many Europeans plant this thuja in their backyards.

9. Tiny Tim

Thuja Tiny Tim was bred back in the 60s of the last century. Its height can reach a meter, and its width is one and a half. The needles are mostly dark green in color. A distinctive feature is that thuja grows very slowly: at 10 years old it reaches only 30 centimeters. Very fond of light, but not demanding on the soil. Basically, it is planted on rocky hills. It can be planted both singly and in a group, in both cases it will look organic.

10. Stolvik

Stolwijk is another representative of dwarf conifers. At first, when young, the shrub has the shape of a dome, but closer to the decade, when it becomes about one meter in height, the shape takes on the shape of an asymmetrical cone. Despite its uniqueness, very few European landscape designers and gardeners use it in their compositions. This is due to the unpredictable shape of the crown.

11. Bowling Ball

Thuja got its name Bowling Ball not by chance, but because of its perfect symmetrical shapes. In the first years after planting, it has a strictly spherical shape, but over the years it stretches a little. It reaches about 70 centimeters in height and up to a meter in width. And all the same, the impression remains that the thuja has the shape of a ball. This is due to her splendor. Despite the fact that the plant loves sunlight, it will be able to reconcile with partial shade. In landscape design, it is mainly used in compositions requiring a spherical element.

12. Holmstrap

Dumosa, or in other words Holmstrup, is one of the unique types of thuja with an egg-shaped crown, which can reach about three meters. Also, one of the advantages is that even without regular shearing, the plant retains the correct column shape. This is definitely a huge plus for gardeners who are busy with less self-sustaining plants in their garden. Also among all representatives of spherical thuja, Dumosa has the most dense. Basically, such thuja are intended to form a hedge, but there are also many cases when it is planted in one copy.

13. Hovea

Thuja Hovea is an excellent variety of its kind. At 2-3 years old, this thuja will still look like a ball later, it will transform and will have an ovoid shape. By the age of 10, it will be able to reach, maximum, one and a half meters. Among the main features of this thuja is its unpretentiousness, frost resistance, rather slow growth. Also another good indicator is the pliability of the mowing, and the ability to grow on any kind of soil. This type of thuja will be very useful for gardeners who have long wanted to form hedges or refine alpine slides.

14. Little Champion

Thuja Little Champion is a fairly compact representative of spherical thuja, which reaches about one and a half meters in height and a meter in width. A feature of this plant is that it grows for a long time. At the age of 10, it will have a diameter of half its maximum. Also very noticeable is the change in color of the tree. In the summer, the thuja will have a green color, and closer to winter it will turn brown or bronze. These trees are often planted singly or in groups. You can often see them in pots on terraces or loggias.

15. Little Jam

Thuja Little Gem is a fairly popular variety among gardeners, because it has a specific crown shape, and also due to the fact that the diameter of this plant is an order of magnitude higher than the height. The light green color that thuja possesses changes in summer to a shade of bronze in winter. Little Gem loves places where the sun is not restricted. Negatively refers to drought, so it is necessary to water on time. The tree is perfect for decorating a rocky garden or alpine slide.

16. Little Gyant

Little Giant is a dwarf plant with a pillow-like crown. The dimensions of this thuja reach only 80 centimeters in height and exactly 2 times smaller in width. Like the previous thuja, it has a bright green needles color in summer and bronze in winter. A feature is slow growth.

Due to its small size, this thuja is very popular and widely used. It can be used both in the garden and on the terrace and on the loggia. The most popular is in Europe.

17. Pumila

Pumila 'is a cultivar with an ovoid crown shape. The size of this tree can reach about two meters. Many gardeners often choose this strain over Little Gem because they are very similar, but Pumila 'grows an order of magnitude larger. This quality will be very useful when forming a hedge. I also use thuja one by one. The branches of this tree are fan-shaped, slightly curved and do not touch each other. Hardy enough and unpretentious.

18.Rekuwa Nana

Recurva Nana has a rounded shape a few years after planting. Later, the crown is formed into a cone.It can reach up to two meters in height. Charm to this variety is added with twigs that protrude along the entire perimeter of the crown. The needles are green in color, but it changes from dark near the trunk to light at the tips. Possesses frost resistance Also loves the sun, but can grow in the shade. It is used as a hedge, they are also planted along alleys at a distance of several meters, they can also become an indispensable element of any composition.

19. Salaspis

The Salaspils variety was bred by breeders from Latvia back in the 40s of the last century. It has a dense rounded shape, it creates the effect of splendor, for which many gardeners love it. At 30 years old, the maximum growth of this plant is 55 centimeters. This thuja does not change its color throughout the year, it remains bright green for her. Due to the fact that the plant is small in size, many people grow it on terraces and loggias. It also goes well in combination with bonsai.

20. Trompenburg

Thuja called Trompenburg was bred in the Netherlands. For the first time after planting, the crown will have a spherical shape, but then it will begin to stretch and the ball will be replaced by an oval. This is a dwarf representative of spherical thujas, respectively, its height reaches only 60 centimeters at 10 years. It has a yellowish-green color, randomly located around the entire perimeter of the thuu. Darkening occurs in winter. It will become an indispensable element of any composition invented by a landscape designer. It is better to use a group of such thujas when planting.

Twenty varieties of spherical thuja - there is plenty to choose from, regardless of the idea and capabilities.