About
Chamaecyparis pisifera is a slowly maturing evergreen conifer that can reach heights ranging from 1 meter for dwarf cultivars to over 12 meters for larger forms. The bark is reddish-brown and features a fissured texture. Its branches are flat and exhibit a range of colors, from green to blue.
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
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conifers, Trees
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 8-12 metres
- Spread
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
- Native to
- Japan
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grows well in moist but well-drained soil. Tolerant of chalk soils but prefers slightly acidic soil
- Pruning
- No pruning required but if used as hedging, trim twice a year to maintain shape
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood 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