Chamaecyparis pisifera 'True Blue'

RHS Plant Profile
Sawara cypress 'True Blue'
Conifers Trees

A slow-growing, evergreen conifer with a rounded and upright habit. The soft, dense and compact foliage, gives a fluffy appearance and the bright silvery blue-green foliage appears to shimmer. It can be clipped and trimmed into topiary or left natural if you wish it to eventually reach its full height, it has a growth rate of 15-25cm per year

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 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 North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
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, 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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun or light shade in a consistently moist but well drained, fertile soil. Prefers acid or neutral soils but will tolerate chalky soil. See Conifer cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by grafting or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Regular pruning is not required; however, the removal of damaged branches or shaping can be done from April to the end of August, or trim twice a year to maintain a shape

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus and Phytophthora root diseases