Chamaecyparis pisifera
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ee-SIP-a-riss pee-SEE-fer-uh
- Description
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The Sawara cypress is a large evergreen conifer native to Japan 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 soil. Once established this plant is very drought tolerant. Although it may grow very large in the wild, the cultivated form matures to 20 to 30 feet tall, with a moderate rate of growth. The form is pyramidal, but develops a loose, open habit with age. While it is multi-branched, the lower branches may die with age.
Most plants available for purchase are compact cultivars of the species. The plant may be propagated by stem cuttings, usually taken in mid to late fall.
Sawara cypress or its cultivars are often used as a focal point or specimen tree at an entranceway or as a large foundation shrub.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms and 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:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Blue Moon'
- 'Curly Tops'
- 'Dow Whiting'
- 'Filifera'
- 'Gold Dust'
- 'Gold Spangle'
- 'Lemon Thread'
- 'Nana Aureovariegata'
- 'Plumosa Juniperoides'
- 'Squarrosa Minimas'
- 'True Blue'
- 'Vintage Gold'
Showy blue-green foliage 'Cream Ball'
Cream-colored, and finely textured foliage
Thread-like and golden yellow foliage on weeping branches 'Filifera Nana'
Thread-like green foliage on long pendulous branches
Yellow-green foliage is pendulous and whip-like and holds its color throughout the year
Bronze-yellow to creamy foliage
Bluish foliage flecked with white tips 'Squarrosa Lutea'
Yellow threadlike leaves are highly ornamental and turn lime green in fall
Gold-tipped, thread-like foliage on thin weeping branches
Rounded and flat-topped - 'Blue Moon'
- 'Blue Moon', 'Boulevard', 'Cream Ball', 'Curly Tops', 'Dow Whiting', 'Filifera', 'Filifera Aurea', 'Filifera Nana', 'Gold Dust', 'Golden Mop', 'Gold Spangle', 'Lemon Thread', 'Nana Aureovariegata', 'Plumosa Aurea', 'Plumosa Juniperoides', 'Snow', 'Squarrosa Lutea', 'Squarrosa Minimas', 'Sungold', 'True Blue', 'Tsukumo', 'Vintage Gold'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Blue Moon'
- 'Curly Tops'
- 'Dow Whiting'
- 'Filifera'
- 'Gold Dust'
- 'Gold Spangle'
- 'Lemon Thread'
- 'Nana Aureovariegata'
- 'Plumosa Juniperoides'
- 'Squarrosa Minimas'
- 'True Blue'
- 'Vintage Gold'
Showy blue-green foliage 'Cream Ball'
Cream-colored, and finely textured foliage
Thread-like and golden yellow foliage on weeping branches 'Filifera Nana'
Thread-like green foliage on long pendulous branches
Yellow-green foliage is pendulous and whip-like and holds its color throughout the year
Bronze-yellow to creamy foliage
Bluish foliage flecked with white tips 'Squarrosa Lutea'
Yellow threadlike leaves are highly ornamental and turn lime green in fall
Gold-tipped, thread-like foliage on thin weeping branches
Rounded and flat-topped - 'Blue Moon'
- 'Blue Moon', 'Boulevard', 'Cream Ball', 'Curly Tops', 'Dow Whiting', 'Filifera', 'Filifera Aurea', 'Filifera Nana', 'Gold Dust', 'Golden Mop', 'Gold Spangle', 'Lemon Thread', 'Nana Aureovariegata', 'Plumosa Aurea', 'Plumosa Juniperoides', 'Snow', 'Squarrosa Lutea', 'Squarrosa Minimas', 'Sungold', 'True Blue', 'Tsukumo', 'Vintage Gold'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- pisifera
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- drought
- Dimensions:
- Height: 50 ft. 0 in. - 70 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Open
- Pyramidal
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
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-
Flowers:
- 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
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- White
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Obovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has small leaves in horizontal planes. They are bright green with a silvery line underneath.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- The bark is reddish brown with somewhat smooth texture that peels off in thin strips.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
