Chamaecyparis
obtusa
Hinoki Falsecypress
Description
General: The species, C. obtusa is native to Japan
and can obtain heights up to 160 ft in its natural environment. There are many
cultivars in all shapes and sizes that can surely fit their way into any landscape.
Leaves: Except for certain varieties, leaves
are shiny dark green with small whitish markings beneath. Many varieties' foliage
exhibits fan-like appearance. May turn brownish in winter months.
Flowers:
Inconspicuous
Fruit: Small globuse cones about
the size of a marble.
Bark: Reddish-brown in
color and sheds in long narrow strips
Culture
Growing Conditions: Prefers a moist, well-drained
soil in a sunny to partially shady location. Protect from heavy drying winds.
Maintenance: Very little pruning necessary. For
the most part, disease and insect free. Do not spray foliage with Bee/Wasp killer
or plant injury, even death will occur.
Transplanting:
Some books report them as hard to transplant, but we have not noticed that. We
have had no problems transplanting various varieties at any time during the growing
season.
Hardiness
Zone 5 to 8. We have
experienced some bark splitting on some of the cultivars, but this has not been
a major problem. Some books report it hardy at zones 4 and 9, but that may be
pushing the limits one way or another.
Experience
at Great Hill
We have had wonderful success growing many cultivars
of C. obtusa. Cultivars include:
'Chabo Yaderi'- Dwarf, upright;
distinctive, feathery-like foliage.
'Crippsii'- Wide, upright growth
habit, bright yellow new foliage, grows to 15' in height.
'Gracilis Compacta'-
Excellent fan like leaves, semi-dwarf, grows to 8-10'.
'Filicoldes'-
Dwarf shrub, twisted fern-like leaves, may reach 8-12' in height.
'Kosteri'-
Slow growing, irregular pyramid shape, layers of foliage, only 5-6' in height.
'Lycopodioides'-
Dwarf, upright, distinctive cord-like foliage.
'Nana'- Very slow growing,
rounded shape, ideal for rock gardens
'Nana Gracilis'- Upright, pyramidal
growing shape, gets taller than 'Nana'
'Pygmaea Aurescens'- Spreading/shrub-like
growth habit, orange-brown stems, rich copper-bronze in winter.
'Repens'-
Low spreading form, dark green leaves.
'Split Rock'- Dwarf, pyramidal
form, bluish green color, compact growth habit.
'Templehof'- Dwarf,
has a more egg shape than 'Nana Gracilis'.
'Well's Special'- Upright
growing, open growth habit, excellent specimen plant.
Attributes
Cultivars such as 'Well's Special', 'Kosteri', and 'Gracilis Compacta' can
all be used as excellent specimen evergreens in the landscape. Other cultivars,
such as 'Chabo Yaderi' or 'Lycopodioides' add textures. 'Split Rock' and 'Crippsii'
add unique colors or a 'Nana' can be a nice addition to a rock garden. All make
excellent choices for any landscape
