Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ee-SIP-a-riss ob-TOO-suh
- Description
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‘Nana Gracilis’ Hinoki cypress is a dwarf, compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. The parent plant is native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai, which means dwarf, and kyparissos, which means cypress tree.
Grow this plant in average, moist, well-drained soils and protect it from harsh winds. It does best in full sun but will tolerate partial shade. In 10 years it will only reach 3 to 4 feet tall but will eventually mature to 6 feet or more with a 2 to 4 foot spread. Young shrubs have a rounded form that becomes more conical with age. It provides winter interest with its graceful, dark-green needles.
Use this shrub in small spaces, Asian or rock gardens, containers, or as a specimen. It can also be used in bonsai.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to juniper blight, root rot, and insect pests such as bagworms.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Japanese Garden at JC Raulston Arboretum
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- obtusa
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Grafting
- Root Cutting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Dense
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown with male being orange brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No true flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Shell-like sprays of dark green scale-like needles. Silver markings on the undersides.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Ridges
- Bark Description:
- Gray-brown bark with ridges
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Red-brown stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Specimen
