Cole's Prostrate Canadian Hemlock

Cole's Prostrate Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis 'Cole's Prostrate')

Cole's Prostrate Canadian Hemlock is a low, spreading selection with soft, deep green needles on draping branches; its cascading, ground-hugging habit flows over stones and walls, creating a refined evergreen carpet for shaded gardens.

Distinctive Features

Prostrate Form: Naturally low, layered sprays spill outward in graceful tiers; Fine Texture: Short, flat needles give a plush look year-round with small pendant 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 1 to 2 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide in 10 years; wider with age.
• Soil pH: Acidic to slightly acidic, about 4.8 to 6.5.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Cascading mat softens boulders and edges with four-season interest.
• Rock Garden: Low habit threads texture among stones and dwarf conifers.
• Wall and Slope: Drapes beautifully over retaining walls and gentle banks.
• Woodland Border: Pairs with ferns, hostas, and heucheras in dappled light.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: Deeply soak during dry spells and maintain even moisture with mulch.
• Pruning: Minimal; light tip-pruning after spring flush to refine outline; avoid cuts into bare wood.
• Fertilizing: Apply an acid-forming, slow-release fertilizer in early spring if soil tests indicate need.
• Mulching: 2 to 3 in of pine bark or leaf mold, kept a few inches from the trunk, to cool roots and conserve moisture.
• Notes: Monitor for hemlock woolly adelgid and treat promptly; protect from road salt and drying winter winds, and guard against deer browse where pressure is high.

Why Choose Cole's Prostrate Canadian Hemlock?

• Elegant Groundcover: Evergreen cascade that unifies paths, beds, and stonework.
• Compact Footprint: Low height with generous spread for small spaces.
• Textural Depth: Fine needles and layered sprays add softness and detail.
• Shade Specialist: Performs where many conifers struggle, especially in dappled light.

Plant in acidic, well-drained soil with partial shade and steady moisture to showcase its graceful, ground-embracing habit.