Chamaecyparis
A genus of 8 species of trees that are related to the true Cypresses with a number of minute differences. Many are valued for their timber which is used for house interiors and fences.
They prefer deep, light, well drained soil but arent very fussy. They are lime tolerant but will grow faster on soil with a PH below 7. They are also pollution tolerant.
Propagation is from seed sown in fall or spring. The cultivars can be reproduced from half hardened cuttings taken in summer. If grafted, that can be done in late winter to early spring.
Chamaecyparis formosensis ( Taiwan Cypress )
A very large tree native to Taiwan that is fast growing and reach reach 140 feet or more. Some records include: 10 years - 22 x 12 feet; largest on record - 220 x 80 feet with a trunk diameter of 27 feet. It can live up to 3000 years.
The pendant foliage in flattened sprays is medium green above with pale green or white markings below.
The cones are rust colored and round.
Hardy zones 7 to 10, tolerating as low as -11 F. It is very tolerant of hot, humid summers even thriving in eastern Texas eastwards through the Deep South. ENDANGERED
* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DCChamaecyparis funebris ( Chinese Weeping Cypress )
A coniferous tree that can grow fast ( to 3 feet in a year ) but is usually moderate growing ( 27 x 13 feet in 20 years ) and can eventually reach 120 x 48 feet with trunk diameter of 7 feet - huge! Some additional records include: 100 years - trunk diameter of 3.3 feet. It can also live up to 800 years. An elegant pyramid shape tree when young it becomes pendulous and graceful when mature.
The foliage grows in flattened sprays and is medium green.
Hardy zones 6 to 9
* photos taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
* photo taken on June 23 2013 @ U.S. National Arboretum, DCAurea
Slower and smaller growing, reaching a maximum size of 30 x 30 feet.
It is similar in habit but has golden-yellow foliage.
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ( Lawson Cypress )
Also called Port Orford Cedar. Native to western North America, mainly in Oregon; it is a large tree that grows at a moderate pace to 100 feet. Some records include: 20 years - 75 x 13 feet; 90 years - trunk diameter of 3.3 feet; largest on record - 270 x 50 feet with a trunk diameter of 21 feet. Rare in the eastern U.S., it can be found at Longwood Gardens among a few other parks and arboretums. Unfortunately, this tree is threatened with extinction in the wild, as native stands have been getting wiped out by phytophora fungus since approx. 1952.
The foliage is bright to blue green in fan shaped sprays.
The early spring flowers are small and red.
The cones are grayish and ripening to rusty brown.
The ridged bark is red-brown.
Hardy zones 4 to 9; in the eastern U.S. it thrives on Long Island especially well but has a fairly wide range of adaptation. Tolerant of dry, alkaline soils and shade.
Can be propagated from softwood cuttings in summer.
* photo taken on May 6 2010 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA
* photo taken by W.J. Allyn @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database* photo taken by L.D. Bailey @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS DatabaseUSDA-NRCS PLANTS DatabaseAffs Van Pelts
A broad columnar tree. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 2 feet.
The attractive foliage is so powdery-blue that the tree looks spray painted. Known to tolerate -30 F for 2 consecutive winters with no damage.
Albospica
Dense and conical in habit, reaching 10 x 10 feet in 10 years, eventually to 33 feet or more. Largest on record - 57 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The new growth is white before fading to green.
Grows best on fertile soil in a sheltered site.
Allumnii
Narrow and densely conical to 33 x 10 feet in 20 years; largest on record - 105 feet with a trunk diameter of 42 inches. Growth rate up to 2 feet per year. Foliage is bright blue.
* photo from unknown internet source
Aurea Densa
Densely pyramidal and dwarf, to 2 x 1 feet in 10 years and eventually up to 6.6 feet in height. Golden yellow foliage.
Bleu Nantais
Dense and columnar, resembling an Italian Cypress. Slow growing when young before speeding up to moderate, reaching an eventual size of 37 x 6.6 feet.Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 3 feet; largest on record - 55 feet with a trunk diameter of 27 inches
The semi-juvenile foliage is silvery blue
Chilworth Silver
Slow growing, dwarf, upright and columnar, reaching up to 5 x 2 feet in 10 years.
The juvenile foliage is silvery-blue.
Columnaris
Upright, dense and narrowly columnar in habit.
Some records include: 20 years - 33 x 3.3 feet; 44 years - 66 feet with trunk diameter of 29 inches; largest on record - 103 feet with trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
Very attractive!
The blue-gray, aromatic foliage is borne on flattened sprays.
Hardy zones 5 to 7
Dirks Weeping
A narrow-conical tree with a strong central leader and very weeping sidebranches, reaching up to 25 feet in height. Some records include: 10 years - 14 x 3 feet.
The foliage is blue-green.
Dows Gem
A dense, spreading shrub, with drooping branch tips, that can reach up to 3.3 x 5 feet in 10 years.
The very beautiful, ferny foliage is bluish-gray.
Duncanii
A dwarf, rounded to dome-shaped shrub with blue-green, thread like foliage.
It looks great combined with purple-leafed plants.
Some records include: 10 years - 5 feet x 32 inches.
Ellwoodii
Dense and columnar, resembling an Italian Cypress. Slow growing when young before speeding up to moderate, eventually reaching up to 37 x 6.6 feet.
Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 3 feet; largest on record - 55 feet with a trunk diameter of 27 inches
The semi-juvenile foliage is deep blue-green
Ellwood Gold
Dense and columnar, resembling an Italian Cypress. Slow growing when young before speeding up to moderate. It can reach 8 x 3 feet in 10 years and eventually up to 37 x 6.6 feet. Potential extreme maximum size - 55 feet with a trunk diameter of 27 inches
The semi juvenile foliage is gold in summer before darkening to green.
Erecta Viridis
largest on record - 112 feet with trunk diameter of 6 feet
Filiformis
To 82 feet with weeping branches. Resembles the Weeping Nootka Cypress.
Gray green foliage.
Fletcheri
Slow growing, upright and conical, eventually reaching up to 50 x 10 feet.
Some records include: 20 years - 30 x 6.5 feet; largest on record - 80 x 67 feet with trunk diameter of 5 feet.
The semi-juvenile foliage is blue-green turning to bronze in winter.
Forsteckensis
A dense, globular to flat-topped, dwarf shrub, reaching up to 20 x 24 inches in 10 years and eventually 6.6 x 5 feet or more. The largest on record is 20 feet with a trunk diameter of 9 inches.
Foliage is medium green.
Gimbornii
Forms a very compact, dense, globular shrub, reaching up to 2 x 2 feet in 10 years and eventually 5 x 5 feet after many decades. Foliage is blue-green turning purplish-pink tinged during winter.
Glauca Pendula
largest on record - 107 feet with trunk diameter of 40 inches
Gnome
Dense and rounded dwarf to 2 x 2 feet, appearing like some of the Hinokis. Foliage in flattened sprays is luxuriant medium blue-green.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
Green Piller
A slow growing, dense, column to 23 x 6.6 feet in 20 years and 63 x 17 feet in 46 years. Foliage is bright green.
Greyswood Piller
Dense and narrow to 40 x 3.3 feet in 20 years. Reaches 63 feet in 46 years.
Foliage is gray.
Intertexta
An attractive, elegant tree to 82 feet with slightly weeping branches.
Foliage is gray green in pendulous sprays.
Hardy zones 4 to 8
Green Pillar.
Conical to columnar with upright branches and dense. Reaches up to 50 x 6 feet.
The aromatic foliage in spattened sprays is gold tinted in spring turning to bright green.
Handworth Park
An upright, large tree with a strong leader and pendulous side branches.
The blue-green foliage is speckled creamy-white.
Hillieri
largest on record - 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 16 inches
Ivonne
Upright, conical in habit, reaching up to 17 x 8 feet in 10 years, eventually more. It bears sprays of attractive golden-yellow foliage.
* photos taken on Sep 23 2013 in Burtonsville, MDKilmacurragh
Columnar to 23 x 6.6 feet in 20 years and eventually much larger; largest on record - 82 x 10 feet with trunk diameter of 42 inches. Foliage is deep green. Resistant to heavy snow damage.
Lanei Aurea
Upright, conical when young later becoming columnar.
Some records include: 20 years - 40 x 10 feet; largest on record - 130 x 20 feet with trunk diameter of 28 inches.
The aromatic, plumy foliage is borne on flattened feathery sprays. The foliage is bright green with golden-yellow tips.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
* photo of unknown internet source
Little Spire
Forms a very dwarf, very upright column. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 2 ( usually half that ) feet; largest on record - 40 x 5 feet.
The foliage is blue-green. It is the dwarf form of Wisselii.
Lutea
A broadly columnar tree with drooping branchlets, to 33 x 10 feet in 20 years and eventually to 90 feet with trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
Foliage is bright yellow maturing darker.
* photo of unknown internet source
Minima
A globular dwarf shrub, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 8 feet with gray-green to mid-green adult foliage. Slow growing, up to 3 inches per year.
Nana
A shrub to 6 x 10 feet ( record is 27 feet with trunk diameter of 14 inches ) with yellow foliage.
New Silver
Largest on record - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 27 inches
Nidiformis ( Birds Nest Cypress )
A dome shape shrub with arching branches and green foliage. Reaches up to 6.6 x 10 feet in 10 years with a maximum mature size of 6.6 x 20 feet.
Oregon Blue
Fast growing, very large tree with silvery-blue foliage.
It has a strongly upright leader and semi-pendulous side branches.
Some records include: 10 years - 14 x 4 feet ( average ).
Resistant to Phytophora.
Pembury Blue
An extremely attractive, upright and conical tree. Some records include - 20 years -
23 x 13 feet; largest on record - 66 x 25 feet with trunk diameter of 1.5 feet though much larger is possible.
The silvery-blue, aromatic foliage is borne on flattened, pendulous sprays.
Hardy zones 4 to 8
Pendula Vera
Very weeping, it will need to be staked for height when young.
Some records include: 10 years -6 x 4 feet; largest on record - 113 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet.
The attractive foliage is very coarse and luxuriant mid-green.
Pottenii
A very bushy, neat, conical tree to 27 x 6.6 feet in 20 years; largest on record - 66 feet with trunk diameter of 2.5 feet. The semi-juvenile foliage is medium green in soft sprays.
Pygmy
A dense, rounded to flat-topped, miniature shrub, reaching up to 18 x 16 inches in 10 years. The foliage is gray-green.
Pygmaea Argentea
Rounded and dwarf, to 20 x 20 inches in 10 years; eventually to 4 x 4 feet.
Foliage is blue-green tipped creamy white.
Robusta Glauca
largest on record - 57 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet
Silver Queen
An upright large tree with foliage that is deep green with white veining throughout the sprays giving it a grayish cast. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 5 feet ( average ) largest on record - 90 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet
* photo taken on Sep 25 2013 in Howard Co., MDStardust
A narrowly conical tree to 23 x 6.6 feet in 20 years; largest on record - 47 feet with trunk diameter of 1.5 feet. The foliage is yellow tinted bronze
Stewartii
An elegant, large conical tree with large flat sprays of foliage that are golden-yellow during summer turning to green during autumn and winter. Some records include: 20 years - 53 x 23 feet; largest on record - 103 x 25 feet.
Stricta
largest on record - 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 16 inches
Tamariscifolia
Rounded and flat topped, to 6.6 x 13 feet in 10 years and eventually larger.
Largest on record - 23 x 17 feet with a trunk diameter of 7 inches
The foliage is in triangular, flat, sea green sprays.
Triumphe de Boskoop
An open, vigorous, conical, large tree to 57 x 13 feet in 20 years. Largest on record - 103 x 20 feet with a diameter of 44 inches. The foliage is steele blue.
Westermanii
An extra vigorous grower with wide spreading branches and drooping branchlets.
It is broadly-conical in habit and reaches up to 30 feet or more.
The young foliage is golden-yellow, later turning to green.
Winston Churchill
A dense, conical tree that is upswept at the base and grows to 27 x 10 feet in 20 years, largest on record - 53 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.5 feet.
The very attractive foliage is golden yellow.
Wisselii
A fast growing, upswpet, irregular, very ornamental, columnar tree to to 33 x 10 feet in 20 years and eventually 85 feet. Largest on record - 133 feet with a trunk diameter of 5 feet.
Foliage is blue-green.
Versicolor
largest on record - 42 feet with a trunk diameter of 14 inches
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ( Nootka Cypress )
Native to western North America, from Alaska south to central Oregon. It grows moderately and is pyramidal in habit, reaching up to 75 feet or more. Some records include: 10 years - 20 x 10 feet; 20 years - 33 x 17 feet; largest on record - 205 x 60 feet with a trunk diameter of 14 feet. Unfortunately, many mature stands of this spectacular tree are dying out in the wild due to global climate change.
The foliage is deep green on hanging branchlets.
The bark is brown, furrowed and fibrous.
Hardy zones 4 to 7 in full sun to partial shade. Tolerant of heat, humidity as well as pollution, one could never guess this tree to be so hardy considering its origins in the maritime Pacific Northwest.
* photos from unknown internet source
* photo taken on August 4 2010 @ Stratford, Ontario
* photo of unknown internet source
Aldrich Mountain
A cold hardy form originating at 5300 feet in elevation on Aldrich Mountain in central Oregon, east of the Cascades. It is otherwise similar to the species.
Fully hardy in zone 4.
Aurea
Upright-conical, reaching up to 60 feet with bright yellow foliage.
Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 6 feet.
Glauca
Very glaucous-blue foliage, otherwise similar to species.
Green Arrow
Fast growing and very narrow, reaching a maximum size of 40 x 4 feet.
It has a strong central leader and very weeping side branches.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet; 10 years - 15 feet.
The foliage is mid-green.
Pendula
An attractive specimum tree with a strong erect central leader and horizontal branches that bear long weeping sprays of deep green foliage.
Some records include: 10 years - 20 x 8 feet ( 27 feet in 10 years reported in Pacific Northwest ); 24 years - 40 feet. Eventually reaching about the same size as regular Nootka Cypress!
* photos taken on July 1 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA
* photos taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario
* photo taken on August 4 2010 @ Stratford, Ontario
* photo taken on Aug 4 2012 in Bayfield, OntarioChamaecyparis obtusa ( Hinoki Cypress ) -
The Hinoki Cypress is a large forest tree native of Japan. It is moderate growing to 2 feet per year ( rarely 3 feet ) and can grow to 27 x 10 feet in 20 years. One has already reached 80 feet at Princeton, NJ however much older trees to 1000 years old grow much larger to 180 x 40 x 10 feet in the wild.
The foliage is deep green above and striped silvery white below for the entire year.
The thick red brown bark peels off in strips and the trees are sometimes limbed up or planted in groves to show it off.
The Hinoki Cypress is hardy from zones 3 to 8 ( tolerating -40 F ) and it is recommended to never use grafted trees. Shading small nonestablished plants during winter can prevent freeze damage. Dwarf varieties of Hinoki Cypress(s) do surprisingly well in the harsh climate of Newfoundland on Canadas northeast coast.
They are not generally prone to pests and diseases, spider mites may occur on very dry sites. Cultivars can be grown from cuttings taken during autumn.
* photos from U.S. National Arboretum, D.C. on Feb 2009
* photos taken in Laurel, MD on April 2002
* photos taken in Clarksville, MD on July 2008
* photo of unknown internet origin of wild habitat in Japan
* photos taken on April 23 2010 in Howard County, MD
* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD
* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA
Albospica
to 6 x 6 feet in 10 years; largest on record - 67 feet with trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
Aurea
Similar to Cripsii but more sculptured with foliage that is less graceful. Some records include: 10 years - 15 feet, eventually reaching up to 30 feet.
It form a pyramidal small tree.
The whorled, dense, cupped foliage sprays are rich golden-yellow later turning to deep green giving a multicolored effect.
Aurea Nana
Slow growing, very compact, dense, and broad-pyramidal in habit. Some records include: 12 years - 8 x 5 ( often only 3 x 2 ) feet; largest on record - 15 x 15 feet.
The twisted branches bear flat, fan-shaped sprays of bright golden-yellow foliage that later turns to green, giving a multicolored effect.
The foliage generally does not burn in full sun.
Blue Feathers
Slow growing, dense and compact with an upright twisted habit. Some records include: 10 years - 6 feet; largest on record - 12 x 6 feet.
The soft, feathery, bright blue juvenile foliage gives it a very soft appearance.
Breviramea
Very fast growing, compact and narrow in habit, reaching up to 10 x 5 feet in 10 years, eventually much larger.
The attractive, deep green, Gracilis-like foliage is borne on fine sprays.
Compacta
Fast growing, dense, irregular and broadly-conical in habit. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 6 ( rarely over 6 ) feet; 35 years - 20 x 10 feet; largest on record - 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 37 inches. It is similar to Nana Gracilis but is more vigorous.
The foliage sprays are rich deep green.
* photo taken on landscape install in Columbia, MD on Sep 2008
* photo taken on June 2011 in Columbia, MD
Confucious
Fast growing, dense, compact and broadly-pyramidal. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 4 ( rarely over 6 ) feet; 35 years - 15 x 8 feet.
The layered feathery foliage sprays have whip-like tips.
The foliage is bright golden-yellow at first, turning to emerald green then finally to deep green giving it a multicolor effect. The foliage may turn orangish during cold winter weather.
It is shear tolerant but looks better in its natural form and looks great against a dark background.
Coralliformis
Slow growing and bushy. Some records include: 10 years - 4 feet; 35 years - 12 x 8 feet; largest on record - 33 feet with a trunk diameter of 13 inches.
The twisted, semi-weeping, threadlike foliage is glossy blue-green, turning bronze during winter.
Cripsii ( Golden Hinoki Cypress )
A very ornamental, moderate to fast growing, pyramidal, small to medium-sized tree with large sprays of bright golden-yellow foliage.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 2 feet; 10 years - 20 x 10 feet;
largest on record is 75 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet, it has already grown to 40 ft. in Connecticut.
* photo taken @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C. on Feb 2009
* photo taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Elmwood Gold
Slow growing, dense and broad-upright in habit, reaching a maximum size of 8 feet tall and 8.5 feet wide. The attractive golden-yellow foliage does not burn in full sun.
* photo taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Filicioides ( Fernspray Hinoki Cypress )
A pyramidal, small, open tree to 12 x 6.6 feet in 10 years and eventually to 50 x 15 feet after many decades. The largest on record is 60 x 31 feet with a trunk diameter of 32 inches. It can be kept more compact and smaller with persistent selective pruning.
Foliage is bright green in flat fern like sprays.
Tolerates hot humid summers, even in most of North Carolina.
* photo taken on June 10 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD
Filicioides Aurea ( Golden Fernspray Hinoki Cypress )
A pyramidal form that eventually becomes a small tree. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 4 feet; 35 years - 20 x 14 feet; largest on record - 50 feet.
The flat fern-like sprays of foliage are golden-yellow.
It is more heat tolerant than most Hinoki cultivars, thriving as far south as Savannah, GA.
Filicioides Compacta
Similar to Filicioides but it more compact and more more suited for smaller sites.
Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 4 feet; largest on record - 12 feet.
The fern-like foliage sprays are bright green at first, later deepening to rich dark green.
Gracilis ( Gracilis Hinoki Cypress )
A moderate growing, irregular upright pyramidal tree, reaching around 35 feet, with a strong central leader and horizontal branching. Some records include: 10 years - 15 x 6 feet ( average ); largest on record - 100 feet.
The whorled, fan-shaped foliage sprays have drooping tips.
The foliage is glossy very deep green turning bronze during winter.
Gracilis Compacta
Dense, compact and irregular-pyramidal in habit. Some records include: 15 years - 10 feet; largest on record - 25 feet. It makes a great specimen plant.
The fan-shaped foliage sprays are deep green.
* photos taken on June 10 2011 in Columbia, MD
Kosteri ( Kosteri Hinoki Cypress )
A dwarf form with a natural semi-bonsai effect, it is best with its leader trained up for layered effect. Some record include: growth rate - 6 ( averaging 3 ) inches; 10 years - 4 x 3 ( rarely over 3 ) feet; largest on record - 13 x 10 feet.
It has twisted, cupped, dense foliage sprays that are luxuriant bright green.
* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 in Columbia, MD
Kosteri Fast Form
Similar to Kosteri but faster growing, reaching up to 5 x 3 feet in 10 years.
Lycopodioides
Slow growing, reaching a maximum size of 66 feet with trunk diameter of 3 foot, though rarely even half that. Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 3 feet.
The very deep green, very thick foliage is spirally arranged on the very thick branchlets. It is definately a unique shrub/tree to stop traffic.
Lycopodioides Aurea
Very similar to Lycopodioides except for having new foliage that is yellow.
Mariesii
Slow growing, forming a dense, broad, upright cone. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 4 feet; largest on record - 6 x 5 feet.
The twisted branches bear fine feathery foliage that is green and heavily flecked creamy-white.
Nana
A slow growing, broad-pyramidal, "natural bonsai" reaching up to 8 x 6 feet in 10 years and eventually 20 x 25 feet in 90 years.
The foliage is deep green.
* photos taken on Apr 7 2013 in Columbia, MD
Nana Aurea
A broad, irregular, flat topped, slow growing dwarf shrub. It can grow up to 8 inches per year but typically only reaches 32 x 32 inches in 10 years; 6 feet in 25 years and 7 x 7 feet with great age. The scalloped foliage is bright golden-yellow in cupped, horizontal sprays.
Hardy zones 4 to 8
Nana Gracilis ( Nana Gracilis Hinoki Cypress )
Dense, compact and broad-conical in habit. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 2 feet; 50 years - 13 feet; 60 years - 18 x 13 feet; largest on record - 36 x 15 feet with diameter up to 21 inches ( after 100 years )
The heavily-textured, cupped, spreading foliage sprays are rich deep green.
* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA
Nana Lutea ( Golden Dwarf Hinoki Cypress )
Compact, dwarf and upright in habit. Globe shaped when young, eventually becoming pyramidal. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 8 ( rarely over 4 ) inches; 10 years - 3 x 3 feet; 25 years - 6 x 6 feet; 90 years - 20 x 8 feet.
The compact foliage sprays are pale yellow. The foliage can burn in full sun in hot climates or where sun is reflected.
Pygmaea ( Pygmy Hinoki Cypress )
A miniature Hinoki to 4 x 3 feet in 10 years and a maximum mature size of 8 x 10 feet. The fan shaped sprays of foliage turn to bronze in the winter.
Pygmaea Aurescens
Forms a compact, dense, spreading, flat-topped shrub. It is similar to Pygmaea but with foliage that is bronze-gold at first, turning to dull green. During winter the foliage turns back to bronzy-gold. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 6 inches; 10 years - 3 x 4 feet; largest on record - 7 x 9 feet.
* photo taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore, PA
Reis Dwarf
Irregular and columnar in habit with a straight ascending main trunk and horizonatal side branches. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 1 foot ( when young, older plants are slow growing ); 10 years - 8 x 3 ( rarely over 5 x 3 ) feet; largest on record - 18 x 6 feet.
The twisted branches bear foliage sprays that are bright green later turning to rich deep green.
* photo taken on October 17 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Repens
Slow growing, low, spreading and flat-topped in habit, reaching a maximum size of 4.5 x 7 feet. Some records include: 10 years - 2 x 4 feet.
It makes a spectacular specimen plant to trail over a low stone wall.
The finely-textured, cupped, thick, layered foliage is dense and luxuriant deep green.
Rigid Dwarf ( Rigid Dwarf Hinoki Cypress )
Moderate growing, stiffly rigid, dense and upright-conical in habit. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 3 feet; 20 years - 6 x 5 feet; largest on record - 20 x 8 feet.
The foliage is luxuriant deep green.
Spiralis
Slow growing, narrow, upright and spiralling in habit. Some records include: fastest growth rate - 6 inches; 10 years - 5 x 1 feet; largest on record - 16 x 11 ( extremely old ) feet. It is a great architectural plant that is also great for large courtyard containers. It is a natural bonsai that does not need pruning.
The very twisted, cupped branches bear very dense, fine-textured, very deep green foliage on flattened sprays.
Split Rock
A compact, narrow, upright, pyramidal miniature tree with a strong central leader.
It has deep green, flattened sprays of scale-like, overlapping leaves as well as blue juvenile foliage.
It has excellent textural interest.
Some records include: growth rate - 8 inches; 10 years - 10 x 6 ( rarely over 8 ) feet.
Stoneham
An extremely slow growing, miniature, flattened globular form with deep green foliage. Great for the rock garden.
Some records include: growth rate - 1 inch; 10 years - 8 x 8 inches.
Another form also called "Stoneham" has golden foliage, is more upright and much larger, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet in 10 years and eventually up to 12 x 8 feet
Teddy Bear
Similar to Filicioides but with denser, deep green foliage in fern-like sprays. It is upright-conical in habit, reaching up to 8 x 5 ( averaging 4 x 3 ) feet in 10 years, with a mature height of up to 15 feet.
Templehof ( Templehop Hinoki Cypress )
Vigorous, compact and broadly-conical in habit with whorled, coarse, flat fern-like sprays of lush, rich, glossy deep green foliage. The foliage turns bronze during winter.
Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 7.5 ( typically smaller and can be kept pruned to 5 x 4 ) feet; largest on record - 25 x 15 feet.
Reasonably vigorous, it can be used as a natural hedge.
More heat tolerant than regular Hinoki Cypress.
* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario
* photos taken on 5 Dec 2011 in Columbia, MD
Tetragona Aurea
Irregular and dense with curving angled branches; The dense ferny foliage is golden-yellow. It can reach up to 12 x 5 ( rarely over 8 x 4 ) feet in 10 years and 43 x 23 feet after many decades. Largest on record - 60 x 27 feet with trunk diameter of 43 inches.
* photo taken on June 10 2010 in Columbia, MD
Torulosa
Moderate growing, dense and broadly-conical in habit with twisted branches bearing flattened sprats of foliage that droops at the tips. Very interesting in habit and with some selective pruning, can add an oriental effect to the landscape.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 8 inches; 10 years - 6 x 4 feet; largest on record - 25 x 20 feet.
The luxuriant foliage is bright green at first later turning to glossy deep green.
The bark is reddish.
It will look best with some pruning such as removing branches that lay on the ground in order to show off the semi-cascading habit more. During early winter, shaking out any dried old foliage will also enhance appearance.
* photo taken on landscape install in Clarksville, MD
Verdonii ( Verdonii Hinoki Cypress )
Compact and upright-conical in habit, it reaches up to 8 ( averaging 4 x 4 ) feet in 10 years and eventually 16 x 6 feet. It is faster growing than Nana Lutea.
The fresh new foliage is golden-yellow, later maturing to deep green and in very cold climates turning bronzy-orange during winter. The foliage does not burn in full sun. It is a golden foliaged form of Nana Gracilis a seedling of which it originated.
* photo taken @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C. on Feb 2009
Wells Special
Strong growing and broadly-upright in habit. The foliage is similar to Gracilis but denser, more twisted and less layered. The flattened, whorled sprays of feathery foliage are rich deep green.
Some records include; 10 years - 12 x 6 feet; 20 years - 15 feet ( average ); largest on record - 35 feet.
Chamaecyparis pisifera ( Sawara Cypress )
A large tree growing vigorously to 3 feet in a year, often 33 x 17 feet in 20 years, and eventually 80 feet ( largest ever known Sawara Cypress(s) in its native Japan reach 225 x 60 x 10 feet. Very long-lived, it can persist for as long as 1000 years.
The foliage is shiny dark green above with white markings below.
The small round cones ripen to black-brown.
The bark is red-brown peeling in thin strips.
Hardy from zones 3 to 8. It should be pruned to a single leader when young since multiple leaders often split in old trees.
The Sawara grows best in humid climates and is not very drought tolerant. It is sensitive to salt.
* photo taken @ Tyler Arboretum near Philly, PA on August 2004
* photo of unknown internet origin
* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD
* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour
* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA
* photo taken on July 2009 in Wilkes-Barre, PA
* photos taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA
* photo taken on Feb 5 2014 in Ellicott City, MD
Baby Blue
Similar to Boulevard but much more compact, only reaching at most 6 x 4 feet in 10 years.
Boulevardi ( Boulevard Cypress )
Fast growing, dense and conical in habit, it eventually forms a small tree unless sheared. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 6 ( rarely over 6.5 x 3 ) feet; 20 years - 17 x 10 feet; largest on record - 37 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 1.8 feet. This Sawara cultivar is often used for bonsais.
The silvery-blue foliage turns bronze during winter.
Prefers moist, acidic soil. It is more heat tolerant than all other Sawara Cypress cultivars, thriving as far south as Gainesville, FL & Savannah, GA.
* photo taken on July 2009 in Wilkes-Barre, PA
* photos taken on June 6 2010 in Baltimore Co., MD
* photos taken on Oct 31 2013 @ Hampton Ntl. Historic Site, Towson, MD
Compacta
A flat topped to rounded miniature, only reaching at most 1 x 2 feet in 10 years, eventually around 2 x 4 feet.
The blue-green foliage turns to bronze during winter.
Filifera ( Thread Cypress )
Very attractive long threadlike branchlets on this Sawara Cypress cultivar. One has already grown to 50 feet in Connecticut, its eventual size may be as large as 82 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 4.5 feet in 200 years, even more with extreme age.
Foliage is medium green in spring later turning deep green.
* photos taken on May 16 2010 @ Cylburn Arboretum, Baltimore, MD
* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario
* photo taken on Mar 23 2011 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photos taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore College, PA
Filifera Aurea ( Gold Thread Cypress )
Widely conical, growing at a rate up to 2 feet in a year, to 13 x 10 feet in 10 years. Largest on record is 50 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 26 inches.
Cuttings can become 3 x 3 foot shrubs in 3 years.
The largest on record is 40 x 30 feet with a trunk diameter of 1 foot. This cypress with golden-yellow threadlike foliage is sprawling at first then eventually becoming broadly conical.
* photos taken on Feb 1 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Mar 7 2013 in Columbia, MD
Filifera Aurea Nana
Also called Filifera Nana Aurea. A dwarf, mounding form of Filifera Aurea with similar foliage. Some records include: 10 years - 3 x 6 feet; largest on record - 10 x 16 feet.
The stringy foliage is golden-yellow later deepening to green.
Filifera Nana
Flat topped to rounded with drooping threadlike medium green foliage.
Reaches 32 inches x 4 feet in 10 years and eventually to 4 feet.
Golden Sprangle
Conical and weeping in habit, reaching up to 20 x 15 feet ( record - 28 feet with trunk diameter of 1 foot ) with stringlike bright gold foliage. It may eventually develop into a tree. Some records include: 10 years - 8 x 5 ( rarely over 5 ) feet. Faster growing with thicker foliage than the other Golden Threadleaf Cypresses.
It can be sheared though it natural habit may be more desirable.
Gold Mop ( Gold Mop Cypress )
A moderate growing, dome-shaped shrub bearing long, pendulous streamers of golden-yellow branchlets.
Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 6 ( rarely over 3 x 5 ) feet; largest on record - 18 x 20 ft.
* photo taken on Columbia, MD installation
* photos taken @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C. on Feb 2009
* photos taken on July 17 2010 @ Morris Arboretum, Philly, PA
* photo taken on 4th of July 2010 @ U.S. National Arboretum, D.C.
Lemon Thread
A very fast growing, upright shrub with long pendulous bright yellow streamer branchlets. Some records include: 4 years - 5 feet; 10 years - 8 x 4 feet; largest on record - 12 x 7 feet.
Nana
Dwarf and rounded to 8 x 20 inches in 10 years and eventually to 2 x 5 feet. The crowded foliage is deep green.
Nana Aureovariegata
Dwarf and rounded to 8 x 20 inches in 10 years and eventually to 2 x 5 feet. The crowded foliage is golden.
Plumosa ( Plumosa Sawara Cypress )
Green plume like foliage on this attractive Sawara Cypress cultivar. This broadly conidal tree can grow very large to 115 x 33 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. 0ne tree 80 feet has been reported in the state of Connecticut )
The foliage is medium green.
The bark is attractive red-brown.
* photos taken on Aug 25 2011 @ Scott Arboretum, Swarthmore, PA
Plumosa Aurea
A tree to 40 feet. The largest on record is 87 feet with a trunk diameter of 3 feet. The foliage is golden yellow.
Plumosa Aurea Nana
A dwarf rounded version of the above, only reaching 6 x 4 ( rarely over 4 ) feet in 10 years and 13 x 8 feet at maturity. The semi-juvenile foliage is golden yellow.
* photos taken on Mar 7 2013 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
Plumosa Compressa
A slow growing, low dwarf shrub with foliage that is green and bunched, somewhat resembling the Hinokis but more feathery. Some records include: 10 years - 3 x 2 feet; largest on record - 17 x 23 feet.
* photo taken on Feb 2009 @ U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, DC
Plumosa Cristata
A compact, pyramidal, small tree with soft feathery foliage that is gray-blue to blue-green. Some records include: 15 years - 20 x 15 feet.
Plumosa Flavescens Nana
An attractive, low growing, very dense, broadly pyramidal to rounded in habit.
It is not as pendulous as the other "thread" cypresses with golden-yellow foliage.
Some records include: 10 years - 5 x 4 feet; largest on record - 22 x 16 feet.
Plumosa Rogersii
A dwarf rounded version of the above, it is broadly conical in habit with golden-yellow juvenile foliage. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 4 feet; largest on record - 13 x 8 feet.
Pygmaea ( Pygmy Sawara Cypress )
Dense and broad globular in habit. Some records include: 10 years - 3 x 5 feet; largest on record - 8 x 10 feet.
The flat fan-shaped foliage sprays are bright green, turning to bronze during winter.
Snow
Dwarf, rounded and miniature with feathery, bright blue to almost powdery white new foliage. Slow growing, up to 4 inches per year; it reaches up to 20 x 32 inches in 10 years and 7 x 5 feet after many decades. The tender young foliage may burn on hot sunny sites.
Squarrosa ( Moss Cypress )
An irregular outlined, very dense, conical large tree with blue-green, very feathery, soft juvenile foliage. Some records include: 20 years - 33 x 23 feet; largest on record - 90 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 4 feet. The largest in the U.S. is in Montgomery County, PA.
Squarrosa Intermedia ( Blue Moss Cypress )
Fast growing and semi-pyramidal in habit, with long whiplike branches that bear tight, very dense, soft, silvery-blue foliage. Some records include: 7 years - 14 feet; 10 years - 13 x 8 ( avg 6 x 5 ) feet; largest on record - 37 x 13 feet.
It is often used for topiary and bonsai.
Squarrosa Pygmaea
A dwarf, compact, rounded shrub, reaching a maximum size of 7 x 7 feet, with very feathery blue-green foliage.
Squarrosa Sulfurea
An upright pyramidal to columnar shrub with feathery, semi-pendulous foliage that is golden-yellow, later deepening to green. Some records include: 10 years - 10 x 5 feet; 25 years - 15 x 8 feet; largest on record - 30 x 13 feet with a trunk diameter of 16 inches.
Sungold ( Sungold Cypress )
A very attractive, broad-spreading pendulous shrub with drooping threadlike foliage that is golden-yellow at first, later deepening to bright green. Some records include: 8 years - 4 feet; 35 years - 8 x 10 feet; largest on record - 10 x 15 feet.
It looks great combined with burgundy foliage shrubs such as Smokebush.
It is hardy north to zone 3. Plants in Grand Forks, ND are reported to be healthy despite growing on exposed site. The foliage does not burn.
* photo taken on August 3 2010 @ University of Guelph Arboretum, Ontario
Vintage Gold
A vigorous, graceful, compact, rounded shrub, reaching up to 3 x 5 feet in 10 years, with an eventual maximum size of 7 x 8 feet ( unsheared size ).
The very attractive, ferny foliage is bright golden-yellow in all seasons.
* photos taken on Oct 23 2012 in Harford Co., MD
* photo taken on Oct 17 2013 in Olney, MD
Chamaecyparis thyoides ( Atlantic White Cypress )
A moderate growing, large, columnar conifer native to swampy areas of the east coast of the U.S. from Mississippi north to Massachussetts
From a distance it appears like a more feathery Juniperus virginiana but does NOT get Cedar Apple Rust. Commonly reaching 60 feet in height, sometimes more; some records include: 2 years - 7 feet; 10 years - 25 x 8 feet; largest on record - 135 x 40 feet with a trunk diameter of 6 feet. Due to overharvesting for its rot resistant wood, old growth stands of this tree are virtually extinct.
The blue-gray to deep green leaves are tiny and sharp pointed. They are arranged in fan shape sprays.
The male flowers are tiny and yellow.
The cones are purplish black when ripe.
Bark is gray-brown and fibrous.
Hardy zones 3 to 9 and tolerant of swampy conditions, clay and drought.
This False Cypress does not like drought and unlike the others is not lime tolerant.
* photo from unknown source on internet
* photo taken on June 6 in Baltimore County, MD
* photo taken by H.S. Graves @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
* photo taken by W.D. Brush @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Andelyensis
Conical shrub with crowded branches and sprays of juvenive blue-green foliage. Slow growing, it can reach 4 x 2 feet in 10 years and eventually 23 feet or very rarely up to a maximum size of 72 x 18 feet with a trunk diameter of 2.5 feet.
Small cones are profuse.
Emily
A fast growing, pyramidal form that makes an excellent windbreak; that originates at the University of Georgia. It reaches an average of 10 x 10 feet in 5 years.
The foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
Ericoides
A pyramidal shrub or small tree with feathery juvenile foliage that is sea green and turns purplish in winter. It is slow growing, reaching up to 7 x 3 feet in 10 years and a maximum eventual size of 40 x 10 feet.
Glauca Pendula
A very open small tree with weeping branches that bear blue foliage.
Some records include: 10 years - 6 x 4 feet.
Heatherbun
A slow growing, wide pyramidal, dwarf shrub with feathery foliage that can reach up to 3 x 3 feet in 5 years and 10 x 10 feet with great age.
Some records include: fastest growth rate - 10 inches.
The blue-green foliage turns attractive plum-purple in the winter.
It may look more like a dwarf Thuja than a Cypress.
A great plant for planting in large patio containers.
Hopkinton
Open branches and fast growing, reaching up to 40 x 20 feet in 50 years. Attractive blue-green foliage. Disease free.
Maine Strain
Originating from wild trees in Maryland; this strain is fast growing and one of the hardiest.
Rachel
A clone that is disease resistant, very fast growing to a very large size.
The elegant ferny foliage retains good color throughout the year.
It makes a great windbreak and screen.
Yankee Blue
Very fast growing with silvery blue foliage. Hardy north to zone 4
Red Star
Slow growing, very dense and upright broad-conical in habit. Some records include: 10 years - 4 x 2 feet; largest on record - 25 x 5 feet. The feathery, juvenile, blue-green foliage turns to plum-purple during winter.
