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Dwarf Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana'

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Dwarf Japanese Cedar:

Phonetic Spelling
krip-toh-MER-ee-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh
Description

The Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana' cultivar belongs to the Cypress family (formally Taxodiaceae that was consolidated with the Cupressaceae family).  This cultivar is a very slow-growing conifer evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded, flat-topped growth habit and short, finely textured leaves.  The leaves are green during the summer, turn bronze in winter, and return to green in the spring.  Juvenile leaves are soft, feathery and blue-green.  As leaves mature, they become stiffer and prickly.  Full sun is preferred with light afternoon shade.  Protection from strong drying winter wind is recommended.  Acidic, well drained, fertile soil is best but it can withstand periods of drought.  Compacted urban soils is tolerated if irrigation is provided.  This is an interesting specimen plant for smaller areas and requires little if any pruning to maintain its form  Cones may form in the fall, but are small and inconspicuous and do not create nuisance litter.  Other Japanese Cedar cultivars vary greatly in size and form, including larger tree forms.  

This plant may be confused with other Cryptomeria Japonica varieties that are not dwarf.  For example, Cryptomeria Japonica 'Elegans' is not dwarf and has a much taller pyramidal form.  

In Hawaii, Japanese cedar is listed as invasive for the Haleakala National Park.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  This plant is generally trouble-free but may be susceptible to mites, fungi, die back leaf spot, and leaf blight.  Leaf blight can cause foliage to turn brown.  However, blight can be avoided by locating plants in areas with good air circulation and avoiding wet foliage.  

More information on Cryptomeria japonica.

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Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#blue green needles#dwarf#disease resistant#deer resistant#foundation planting#border planting#compaction tolerant#urban conditions tolerant#small group plantings#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#drought tolerant#specimen#blue green needles#dwarf#disease resistant#deer resistant#foundation planting#border planting#compaction tolerant#urban conditions tolerant#small group plantings#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cryptomeria
    Species:
    japonica
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Japan
    Dimensions:
    Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    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)
    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:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Male (pollen) cones are in clusters near the apex of branches and are oblong and scaly. Female (seed) cones are round, brown, rosette looking on terminal branches singly or in groups.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Acicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Juvenile foliage is a soft bluish-green in the summer turning to brown in the winter months. Mature growth is prickly. This evergreen shrub is compact appearing like a flat-topped globe.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Green
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Bark Description:
    The bark on the current year's growth is green, then darkens to brown. Showy exfoliating bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Buds:
    Smooth/Hairless
    Stem Description:
    Branches are whorled and horizontally spreading to slightly drooping. Branchlets are green the first year. Winter buds are small and non-scaly.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Specimen
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Compaction
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Salt
    Urban Conditions