Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'

'Cream Ball' is a compact dwarf cultivar in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). This globe-like, rounded evergreen shrub has cream-colored, variegated, fine-textured foliage. It was introduced into cultivation in the early 1980s. 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 plant.

Plant in any moist well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It grows in a range of soil types but prefers acidic soil. It grows in the form of a very tight ball when young and is sometimes vulnerable to sun-scald. This very slow-growing evergreen reaches a mature height 2 feet tall and wide after 10 years. The fine almost string-like brilliant gray-green foliage with cream variegation at the tips add texture and accent color in the garden, especially in the winter.

'Cream Ball' is an easy to grow evergreen that can add interest as a specimen or planted in small groups in a rock or crevice garden. Its dwarf size contributes beautifully to small-scale plantings including the middle or front of a border, foundation plantings, or container gardens.

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.