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Conifers

Cryptomeria japonica 'Black Dragon'

Japanese cedar 'Black Dragon'

A small conifer, to around 2m high in 10 years, with fibrous red-brown bark and dense, very dark green foliage. Initial growth is vigorous and upright, later slowing and filling in to a bushy, conical shape

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

1.5–2.5 metres

Chalk

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–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)

Botanical details

Family: Cupressaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
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

Tolerates most soils, but prefers a humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Requires a sheltered site. Dislikes waterlogging and salt-laden winds

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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

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