Blue Moss Cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
- Description
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‘Boulevard’ false cypress is a semi-dwarf, evergreen shrub cultivar belonging to the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. The plant’s genus name comes from the Greek, meaning dwarf cypress. The species name pisifera is Latin and refers to the small, rounded cones born 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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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
- 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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
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Flowers:
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- 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:
- 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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Reddish-brown bark peels in strips
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
