Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Little Spire'

RHS Plant Profile
Lawson's cypress 'Little Spire'
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs Conifers

'Little Spire' is a slow-growing evergreen conifer of conical habit, with dark blue-green foliage in small, dense, thick sprays

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Drought Resistance
Yes

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Chamaecyparis are evergreen trees, usually of narrowly ovoid or columnar outline, with much-branched sprays of small scale-like leaves, and small, globose cones; tiny red male cones are conspicuous in a few cultivars
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows well in moist but well-drained soil. Tolerant of chalk soils but prefers slightly acidic soil

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Architectural
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, juniper scale and shoot-boring moths

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and Phytophthora root diseases