Lewis Canadian Hemlock

Lewis Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Lewis')

Lewis Canadian Hemlock is a compact, slow-growing selection with dense, finely layered sprays of deep green needles; its tidy, broadly pyramidal to mounded habit provides four-season texture for foundations, conifer gardens, and shaded borders.

Distinctive Features

Refined Texture: Short, flat needles on closely set branchlets create plush, lacy greenery year-round; Compact Habit: Naturally tight structure maintains a neat outline with minimal pruning and carries small decorative cones on mature plants.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade; morning sun with afternoon shade in hot-summer regions.
• Soil: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil; avoid compaction and standing water.
• Water: Keep evenly moist, especially during establishment and heat; protect from prolonged drought.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7.
• Mature Size: About 4 to 6 ft tall and 3 to 5 ft wide in 10 years; slowly larger with age.
• Soil pH: Acidic to slightly acidic, about 4.8 to 6.5.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Dense, tidy form anchors small beds and courtyard plantings.
• Foundation Planting: Compact size softens hardscape edges without overgrowing.
• Conifer and Rock Gardens: Slow growth suits layered, small-scale designs.
• Woodland Border: Pairs with ferns, heucheras, and hostas in dappled light.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply soak during dry spells; maintain even moisture with mulch.
• Pruning: Light tip-pruning after spring flush to refine shape; avoid cutting into bare wood.
• Fertilizing: Apply an acid-forming, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if soil tests indicate need.
• Mulching: Spread 2 to 3 in of pine bark or leaf mold, keeping mulch a few inches from the trunk.
• Notes: Monitor for hemlock woolly adelgid and site away from road salt and drying winter winds.

Why Choose Lewis Canadian Hemlock?

• Dwarf Presence: Manageable size for small gardens and tight spaces.
• Four-Season Interest: Fine needles maintain color and texture year-round.
• Elegant Structure: Naturally tidy habit needs minimal shaping.
• Shade Adaptability: Performs reliably where many conifers struggle.

Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade and steady moisture to showcase its compact form and plush, evergreen texture.