©Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
Family
Sciadopityaceae
Botanical Name
Sciadopitys verticillata
Plant Common Name
Japanese Umbrella-pine, Koyamaki
General Description
With long, flat needles arranged like radial spokes, the slow-growing Japanese umbrella-pine is an unusual but picturesque tree. From Japan, this evergreen is dense and compact when young and becomes more open with age, attaining a pyramidal shape that can be either tall and narrow or slightly rounded. Its bark is attractive, but since hidden by the foliage, the exfoliating plates and strips of reddish gray-brown are rarely enjoyed.
The needles are arranged in whorls on the branches, tufted together in an upward manner to look like wind-distended umbrella skeletons. Each needle is long and narrow, dark glossy green and feels of flexible plastic. In spring the branch tips are graced with separate male or female cones of brown. The male cones come in multiples and are held in tight clusters and the female cones are single and stand alone. The plump, oval female cones have chunky scales and are decorative. Trees don't set cones until they are of substantial age, so young trees are fruitless.
Grow Japanese umbrella-pine in full to partial sun and acid to neutral, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Very slow-growing in any circumstance, this unusual gymnosperm should be protected from extreme cold, drying winter winds and excessive drought. The best application for this beautiful evergreen is as a specimen, or clustered group in a spacious border.
Gold-needled cultivars are difficult to obtain but worthwhile seeking out and include 'Aurea', 'Ann Haddow' and 'Ossorio Gold'. Perhaps the most commonly offered selection is 'Wintergreen' with its dense, narrowly upright habit. The green and yellow needled, 'Variegata', is also very interesting and relatively easy to obtain.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
5 - 8
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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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
20'-40' / 6.1m - 12.2m
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Width
15'-25' / 4.6m - 7.6m
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Bloom Time
Spring, Late Spring
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Native To
Japan
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Pyramidal
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
None
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Dark Green, Bronze
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Bark Color
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
Yes
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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
Glossy
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
Yes
