Other Names:  Canadian Hemlock, Eastern Hemlock

Description:

This is a beautiful dwarf cultivar that tends to be irregular conical in shape; interesting short and stiff dark green needles; a wonderful addition to the rock garden or small landscape area; likes sunshine and acidic moist soil

Ornamental Features

Lewis Hemlock is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has dark green evergreen foliage which emerges light green in spring. The needles remain dark green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Lewis Hemlock is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

Lewis Hemlock is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Lewis Hemlock will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.