Jesse Saylor
Family
Cupressaceae
Botanical Name
CHAMAECYPARIS pisifera 'Plumosa'
Plant Common Name
Japanese Falsecypress, Sawara Falsecypress
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Japanese falsecypress is a hardy evergreen conifer best known for its legions of interesting cultivated varieties. Wild-type specimens in Japan become large trees, but most cultivated forms are far more compact and have foliage in an array of textures and colors. In fact, garden varieties have been separated into three groups that differ in their foliage textures. These include the Filifera Group, with scale-like leaves held in cascading, rope-like branchlets; the Plumosa Group, with feathery masses of soft, awl-shaped leaves; and the Squarrosa Group, with dense, mossy tufts of stiff, spreading, juniper-like needles.
The foliage of wild-type Japanese falsecypress is needle-like when plants are young and develops into flattened sprays of dark green, scale-like leaves as plants age. The needles line horizontal branches that are denser in young plants and more open in mature. Spherical, green, pea-sized cones develop in spring and turn dry and brown with age. The seasoned bark is reddish brown and peels off in strips.
Sun-loving and easy to grow, this favorite landscape plant thrives in moist, acid, organic-rich soil with good drainage. It performs best where winters and cold and summers moderate. All varieties should be protected from harsh, drying winds. Use dwarf and compact cultivars of Japanese falsecypress in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and containers, reserving larger cultivars for less restricted spaces.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A3, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
2'-70' / 0.6m - 21.3m
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Width
3'-20' / 0.9m - 6.1m
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Native To
Japan
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Fruit Color
Green, Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Gold
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Gold
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Gold
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Blue Green, Dark Green, Gold
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Bark Color
Brown, Sienna
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Exfoliating
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No