Tsuga canadensis Jervis - Eastern Hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'Jervis' is a charming small conifer with a very distinct personality. It grows slowly, with a compact and highly branched habit, initially conical and then pyramidal, asymmetrical, widening with age. Its irregular and rough-textured vegetation consists of ascending branches and slightly knotty twigs, densely covered with short, dark green needles. It is perfect for rock gardens and will stand out as a specimen on a balcony or terrace. This Canadian hemlock tolerates shade well, in a moist but well-drained soil, as it is sensitive to drought and heat. This variety does not require pruning.

Tsuga canadensis, also known as Eastern Hemlock, is an evergreen conifer of the pine family, native to Eastern Canada, where it often grows in mixed forests and maple groves, always in shade. This species slowly reaches a height of 30 m (98ft), with a diameter of 1 m (3ft), and can live up to 600 years. This very hardy conifer prefers fertile and moist soils and cannot tolerate drought or direct sunlight. Its roots are shallow and spreading widey.

The 'Jervis' variety, derived from this species, presumably from a seedling discovered in 1956 near Port Jervis, New York, is still rarely used in our gardens. It stands out for its very small size and its stout and compact habit, with a twisted and tightly packed vegetation in the shape of a pyramidal cone. Its growth is very slow (2.5 cm (1in) per year), it will not exceed 35 cm (14in) in height and about 40 cm (16in) in width at the age of 25. At maturity, it will reach a height of 1 m (3ft) and a width of 1.25 m (4ft). Its ascending to horizontal branches bear twigs that seem covered with clusters of tightly packed, flat, and short needles (7 mm (1in) x 1.7 mm (1in)), finely toothed, with a very vibrant dark green color on the upper side, featuring two lighter bands on the underside. They are arranged in 2 rows on slightly spiraled twigs. In spring, the foliage comes alive with tender green buds, further enhancing the appeal of this variety. The bark becomes scaly at a young age.

Tsuga canadensis 'Jervis', with its silhouette resembling a small creature with dark fur will find its place in all gardens, even the smallest ones, especially in shaded and cool areas unloved by other plants. In small spaces, it will make a good impression when grown as a standalone plant and will also elegantly animate a rock garden or a flower bed. It pairs well with large stones and retaining walls; it can be planted in moist soils. It can also adorn the banks of a natural pond or a water feature, providing the freshness it seeks, in a non-burning location. It also performs very well in a pot, to adorn a terrace or balcony. The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of contemporary gardens, which favour the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally anchor a flower bed, mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.