Cryptomeria japonica 'Dacrydioides'

RHS Plant Profile

Japanese cedar 'Dacrydioides'

Conifers

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A slow-growing, shrubby conifer, 2-3m high after 10 years, with an irregular, spreading habit making it an unusual specimen plant. Long branches bear clusters of slender branchlets, that are cloaked in short, grey-green awl-shaped leaves. Foliage is tinted bronze in winter

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 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 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: Spreading branched
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, slightly acidic, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Requires a sheltered site. Does not tolerate waterlogging

Propagation

Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

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