Overview
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' is a columnar upright, bushy conifers in the genus Chamaecyparis, part of the Cupressaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' 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 pisifera 'White Pygmy' (Sawara cypress 'White Pygmy') is a bushy, columnar evergreen cultivar of the Chamaecyparis genus, known for its densely branched sprays of small, scale-like foliage. This cultivar thrives in full sun and adapts well to a variety of soil types, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, provided the soil is moist but well-drained. Hardy to UK zone H6, it suits both exposed and sheltered sites and is ideal for architectural planting, city gardens, patios, and hedging. It is best cultivated in fertile, well-drained soil and can be propagated by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings.
About the genus
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 pisifera 'White Pygmy' 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 pisifera 'White Pygmy'
- 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 pisifera 'White Pygmy'?
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' prefers full sun. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' need?
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' 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 pisifera 'White Pygmy' hardy in the UK?
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'White Pygmy' 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 pisifera 'White Pygmy'?
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings.
More in the Chamaecyparis genus
- Chamaecypariscypress
- 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'