James H. Schutte
Family
Cupressaceae
Botanical Name
Chamaecyparis
Plant Common Name
Falsecypress
General Description
Comprising a handful of species from Taiwan, Japan, and North America, these evergreen conifers are garden favorites worldwide. In the wild they form majestic, conical, stout-trunked trees with beautiful shredding red-brown bark. In cultivation they are mostly known by their myriad dwarf (or slow-growing) cultivars, which come in diverse colors, sizes, and shapes.
Chamaecyparis cultivars may be conical, globular, prostrate, fastigiate, weeping, or contorted in habit. Many eventually attain tree size, although taking decades to do so. Most cultivated falsecypresses bear flattened fan-like sprays of scale-like leaves with white-marked undersides. Some bear soft mossy needle-like leaves. So-called "plumose" types have feathery branchlets with spreading, awl-shaped leaves. Leaves may be rich to light green, or tinged with blue, silver, and yellow. The foliage is often pungently fragrant when bruised. The fruits are small spherical cones with shield-like scales that mature from green to brown.
Most commonly grown are Sawara falsecypress (Chamecyparis pisifera) and Hinoki falsecypress (C. obtusa) from Japan, and Lawson cypress (C. lawsoniana) from the western United States. Each has scores of cultivars. Alaska cypress (C. nootkatensis) and white cedar (C. thyoides) – from western and eastern North America, respectively – are also frequently grown.
These beautiful evergreens are mostly easy to please, prospering in sun or light shade and moist well-drained soil. All commonly grown falsecypress species tolerate cold winters and dislike hot parched conditions. Yellow-leaved cultivars may benefit from afternoon shade to protect their leaves from scorching.
Use dwarf and slow-growing cultivars of falsecypress in foundation plantings, mixed borders, and containers, reserving larger cultivars for less restricted spaces. All combine well with broadleaved evergreens such as rhododendrons and Pieris.
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Needled or Scaled Evergreen
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Western United States, Alaska, Canada, Asia, 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)
Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Yellow, Green, Blue Green, Gray Green, Dark Green, Silver
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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
Yes
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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
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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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
