Snow Falsecypress Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow'
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
- Description
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‘Snow’ false cypress is a dwarf, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. It grows slowly, reaching a height of 1 to 6 feet with a 5 to 6 foot spread. 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 this shrub bears.
It is somewhat sensitive to the hot summer sun and winds, so plant in a sheltered location in partial shade. Plant in any moist, well-drained soil. 'Snow' is resistant to browsing by der.
‘Snow’ false cypress has a more or less rounded form. This shrub features bluish foliage in sprays with white tips that are particularly prominent in spring.
Use as an accent, border, screening hedge, or foundation plant. It can also be grown in containers or at the edge of lawn.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
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- See this plant in the following landscape:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- pisifera
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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
- 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, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruits, seed bearing cones.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Cream/Tan
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Fine, dense, blue-green foliage in sprays with white tips.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer