Overview
Chamaecyparis is a columnar upright, bushy conifers in the genus Chamaecyparis, part of the Cupressaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Chamaecyparis grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include architectural, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance, flower borders and beds and hedging and screens.
About
Chamaecyparis, common names cypress or false cypress, is a genus of conifers in the cypress family Cupressaceae, native to eastern Asia and to the western and eastern margins of the United States. The name is derived from the Greek khamai (χαμαί), meaning "on the earth", and kuparissos (κυπάρισσος) for "cypress".
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Chamaecyparis
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Chamaecyparis size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Conifers, Shrubs
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Flower borders and beds, Hedging and screens
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Chamaecyparis
- Propagation
- Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Aphids, Juniper scale, Shoot-boring moths
- Disease resistance
- Honey fungus, Phytophthora root diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Chamaecyparis?
Chamaecyparis prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Chamaecyparis need?
Chamaecyparis is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Chamaecyparis hardy in the UK?
Chamaecyparis has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Chamaecyparis?
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings.
More in the Chamaecyparis genus
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Barry's Silver'Lawson's cypress 'Barry's Silver'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Erecta Argenteovariegata' (v)Lawson's cypress 'Erecta Argenteovariegata'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Glauca'Lawson's cypress 'Glauca'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Rijnhof'Lawson's cypress 'Rijnhof'
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Silver Queen' (v)Lawson's cypress 'Silver Queen'
- Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Gimborn Beauty'hinoki cypress 'Gimborn Beauty'
- Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Lycopodioides Aurea'hinoki cypress 'Lycopodioides Aurea'
- Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Rogersii Aurea'hinoki cypress 'Rogersii Aurea'