Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta'

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese cedar 'Elegans Compacta'

RHS

Conifers

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A bushy, evergreen conifer to 2m, with horizontal branches and long, soft and tactile blue-green foliage in spring, turning green in summer then finally dark purple to red in the winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 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 Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Cryptomeria are large evergreen trees with attractive red-brown bark and dense foliage consisting of short awl-shaped leaves arranged spirally around the branchlets; cones are spherical
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows in any moist but well-drained soil in a sheltered position. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Rock garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required but is one of few conifers that is suitable for coppicing

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to phytophthora root rot and honey fungus (rarely)