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 December
2000
 Chamaecyparis
obtusa
'Kosteri'
 November
2000
Epimediums
October
2000
Asplenium
trichomanes
September
2000
Gentiana
paradoxa
August
2000
Allium
cyaneum
July
2000
Geranium
dalmaticum
June
2000
Lewisia
rediviva
May
2000
Sanguinaria
canadensis
'Multiplex'
April
2000
Pulsatilla
slavica
March
2000
Crocus
ancyrensis
February
2000
Cassiope
lycopodioides
January
2000
Corallorhiza
maculata
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2003
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2002
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2001
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1999
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1998
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1997
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Plant
of the Month
December
2000
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Kosteri'
by Chuck Griffith
Chamae (dwarf or ground
growing)
cyparis (cypress)
a.k.a. Hinoki cypress
Family: Cupressaceae
No rock garden is complete without a set of dwarf
conifers to compliment the perennials that we focus so much
of our attention on. These woody plants give height when our
plants are low, form when the flowers are not in season and
soften the bulk of the rocks we plant between.
Chamaecyparis obtusa
provides a number of excellent dwarf variations that have
come to us from its native Japan, some over 100 years ago.
To name a very few:
'Caespitosa' is very small,
'Minima' is smaller yet,
'Filicoides' branches like a
fern, 'Lycopodioides' looks
like club moss, 'Nana' looks
like brain coral.
Unlike most conifers, Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Kosteri' does not strive for the symmetrical
look. Instead it layers itself haphazardly like precarious
stacks of old separating limestone. This gives it a
weathered ancient look like the high winds might have
tortured it where our alpines grow natively. Pruning, best
done in the summer, can make this look even more dramatic
and the plant is suitable for bonsai treatment. The cuttings
are relatively easy to root, for a woody plant.
 The
dark emerald leaves blend with the stems as small scales
rather than needles and have small white lines on the
underside. The plant pictured is 15 to 20 years old having
achieved a height of about 24 inches (61 cm). Hardiness is
described as from USDA Zone 6 to 5 but this author has
successfully grown it for over 10 years in zone 4a. Freezing
sun, however, is a combination that is sure to burn its
little fingers to a crisp. Burlap laid over the shrub and
snow cover is enough to discourage sun scald.
As far as habitat is concerned,
Chamaecyparis prefers full sun,
moist well drained soil and acid or neutral soil but will
tolerate dry, alkaline soils and accept moderate shade when
small.
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