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Native alternative(s) for Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball':
Juniperus communis var. depressa Juniperus comunis var. depressa
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' Close up
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' Form
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana' Form
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball' has some common insect problems:
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes
Juniper Pest Management Calendar

Cream Ball Chamaecyparis Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'

Other Common Name(s):

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

'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.

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Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#specimen#shrub#easy to grow#slow growing#winter interest#fall interest#dwarf#accent plant#foundation planting#summer interest#rock garden#spring interest#border front#border middle#small group plantings#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#crevice garden#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#specimen#shrub#easy to grow#slow growing#winter interest#fall interest#dwarf#accent plant#foundation planting#summer interest#rock garden#spring interest#border front#border middle#small group plantings#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#crevice garden#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    pisifera
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    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)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    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:
    Not 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:
    Gold/Yellow
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are gray-green and nearly thread-like with distinctive yellow-green to almost white tips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Fairy Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen