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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' is often confused with:
Thuja occidentalis Thuja occidentalis
Native alternative(s) for Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard':
Chamaecyparis thyoides Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Form
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow' close up
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' has some common insect problems:
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'

Phonetic Spelling
kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
Description

‘Boulevard’ false-cypress is a semi-dwarf, evergreen shrub cultivar belonging to the cypress family (Cupressaceae). This cultivar originated as a sport of ‘Squarrosa’ and was introduced in 1934 by Boulevard Nurseries, in Rhode Island.. The genus name derives from the Greek words chamai, for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos, for "cypress." The species epithet, pisifera, is Latin meaning “pea-bearing” and refers to the small rounded cones borne by this tree. 

This plant grows best in full sun to part shade with moist but well-drained, acidic loamy soil and protection from windy conditions. It is slow growing and densely pyramidal in form, typically reaching 5 to 6 feet tall in 10 years and may mature at 12 feet tall, but can be pruned to maintain a particular size and form. The canopy opens up and becomes leggy with age. The plant can be propagated by stem cuttings or division. It is typically regarded as heat tolerant. 

The soft, pliable, blue-green foliage is showy and holds its color well through winter. Female cones are lacking in this juvenile cultivar. The peeling, reddish bark adds additional interest.

The beautiful blue-green needles contrast nicely with other mid- to dark-green-leaved plants and can be grown in containers when younger, used as a specimen or hedge, or planted along the back of a border.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Gymnosperm with bluish, soft pliable, linear leaves
  • Dense, columnar gymnosperm shrub to 10 to 20 feet tall

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms, root rot, and juniper blight. See Clemson's publication on root rot

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Chamaecyparis pisifera.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#specimen#shrub#slow growing#blue green needles#showy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#accent plant#blue-green leaves#summer interest#border planting#spring interest#fantz#exfoliating bark#border back#partial shade tolerant#container plant#dense growth#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#specimen#shrub#slow growing#blue green needles#showy leaves#winter interest#fall interest#accent plant#blue-green leaves#summer interest#border planting#spring interest#fantz#exfoliating bark#border back#partial shade tolerant#container plant#dense growth#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    pisifera
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Pyramidal
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    No true flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Soft, blue-green leaves with silvery under markings are awl-shaped and curving into a fine point but not prickly. Leaves of juvenile type, soft, pliable, short-linear, silvery blue-green to grayish-blue.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    Reddish-brown bark peels in strips
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Nighttime Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Specimen