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 December
2002
 Pedicularis
kanei ssp kanei
November
2002
Crocus
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October
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Cyclamen
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September
2002
Sternbergia
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August
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July
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June
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May
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dubia
April
2002
Tulipa
vvedenskyi
March
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Draba
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February
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Diapensia
lapponica
 January
2002
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana'
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Plant
of the Month
January
2002
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana'
by Barbara Cochrane
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana', the dwarf Hinoki cypress, has been
cultivated and revered by the Japanese for centuries. Native
to Japan and introduced to the West about 1860, it is a
member of the Cupressaceae. Thuja, Juniperus, and Microbiota
are other familiar genera of the cypress family.
Chamaecyparis can be easily distinguished from the pines,
hemlocks, and spruces (members of the Pinaceae) by their
small scalelike, overlapping leaves that completely clothe
the branches, turning them green. The true, wild species
Chamaecyparis obtusa is an evergreen, narrow conical tree
growing 50 to 75 feet tall in cultivation and 120 feet tall
in the wild.
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana' is one of several very slow growing
cultivars. These attractive miniatures are suitable for rock
gardens, troughs, or container gardens. The tightly
congested, dark green foliage of slightly upward-facing
shell-like sprays forms a tiny rounded, flat-topped mound
after many years. The pictured plant, about 3 inches in
diameter at purchase 16 years ago, is now 6 inches high and
12 inches across.
Chamaecyparis
obtusa 'Nana' is hardy in the United States zones 4
to 8. Published cultural advice recommends moist, loamy soil
in a well-drained site and full sun to partial shade.
Although some growers warn that the species does not like
alkaline soil, the pictured plant has been living well in a
trough filled with local, alkaline soil-based mix.
Chamaecyparis
obtusa and C. pisifera
(the Sawara cypress) offer many attractive cultivars
presenting a wide variety of colors, textures, and growth
habits. Many are accurately called dwarf with respect to the
full size of the wild species, but not all are diminutive
enough for the smallest setting in the rock garden.
Propagation
of the cultivars of Chamaecyparis is by cuttings and
grafting.
References:
Proudley, Brian & Valerie. "Garden Conifers." 1984.
Blandford Press.
UCON Plant Database
Iseli Nursery
Fingerut, J. & R. Murfitt. "Creating and Planting Garden
Troughs." 1999. Mackey Books.
Krussmann, G. "Manual of Cultivated Conifers." 1985. Timber
Press.
Johnson, H. "Encyclopedia of Trees." 1984. Gallery
Books.
Plant purchased May 1986 from
Washington Evergreen Nursery
P.O. Box 388
Brooks Branch Rd
Leicester NC 28748
704-683-4518.
JG size, $8.00
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