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Hemlocks for Raleigh #878936

Asked July 26, 2024, 4:05 PM EDT

Hi. I like hemlocks and I have plenty of part shade and shade (Not deep). Is it a fools errand to plant in this area? Will the wolly andelgid and hemlock borer make it time consuming and lead to eventual failure? Any suggestions for conifers, Cyprus, etc that can handle low light? I live in the northern most part of Wake. Thanks

Wake County North Carolina

Expert Response

You didn't mention your soil conditions but most hemlocks like moist soil.  Our native hemlock, the Carolina Hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) likes moist soil and does not tolerate drought.  Most hemlocks do better in the western part of our state.

Here is a list of hemlocks.  As you can tell from the descriptions, hemlocks prefer moist soil and cooler climates.  Hemlock adelgid appears to plague most hemlocks.

Find a Plant | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

If you click on the particular plant, on the left of the screen there are some suggestions for plants that fill a similar niche.  You might find a plant that you like and suits your growing conditions.

Eastern Red Cedar (juniperus virginiana) is a native plant that can be grown in partial shade.

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu

You can use the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox to search for plants that do well in your growing conditions.  I did a search for needled evergreens that do well in partial shade.  Here are the results.

Find a Plant | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (ncsu.edu)

Thank you for contacting Ask Extension.  If you have additional questions, please contact us.


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 27, 2024, 4:08 PM EDT

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