Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Confucius'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-SIP-a-ris ob-TOO-sa
- Description
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Yellow hinoki cypress is a semi-dwarf, evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. It has delicate sprays of soft gold-to-green foliage in a pyramidal form that grows up to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Its branches form fans and whorls of flattened foliage that spread outward. The parent plant is native to central and southern Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai, which means dwarf, and kyparissos, which means cypress tree.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade and in average-to-moist, well-drained soil. It is tolerant of various soil types and a broad pH range and benefits from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. It prefers humid conditions.
Use yellow hinoki cypress as a specimen or accent, or in a mass planting as a short hedge. The plant adds winter interest with its lovely color and can be planted in a container on a patio.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to juniper blight, root rot, and insect pests such as bagworms.
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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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- obtusa
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Wildlife Value:
- Evergreens provide protection for wildlife, especially in the winter.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Irregular
- 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 Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- 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, 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:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The bright yellow to green foliage grows in flat sprays with scale-like leaves. The outer leaves are bright lemon-yellow with the interior foliage being darker yellow, gold and emerald green.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Green
- Light Brown
- Red/Burgundy
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Patio
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
- Pollution
