About

This compact conifer develops into a dense, columnar or conical specimen, reaching about 1.5 meters in height within a decade. Its vertical branches display flattened clusters of grey-green leaves, accented by prominent creamy-white spots.

About the genus

Chamaecyparis consists of evergreen trees that typically exhibit a narrow ovoid or columnar shape. They feature densely branched sprays of diminutive scale-like foliage and produce small, rounded cones. In certain cultivars, the tiny red male cones are particularly noticeable.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Moist but well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing, East-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H6

Plant details

Plant type
Conifers, Trees
Habit
Columnar upright
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
1-1.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
10-20 years
Suggested uses
Architectural, City and courtyard gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Tolerant of chalky soils but best in a moist but well-drained, preferably neutral to slightly acidic soil in sun
Pruning
Trim hedging from late spring to early autumn; do not cut into old wood
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids, juniper scale and shoot-boring moths
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus and Phytophthora root diseases