PlantFiles: Sawara False Cypress, Japanese False Cypress
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera'

In 1998 I saw a picture of one of these chamaecyparis and had to have one. I found one at a local nursery that was 4' tall and wide and was delighted with it. I've never been let down. It presides at the top of my garden, growing about 6" per year. Minor trimming on the undergrowth and sides keeps it neat and I make adjustments to the flowers around it when necessary. Each year it becomes home to a host of sparrows and finches who nest in its branches. A worthy focal point for the garden.

This cultivar can grow over 20' tall and wide, and has an irregular mounding habit. I try to keep it trimmed to a size that will not overtake the whole area, and will not take away from the look of the bush. Since it's rather slow growing, it's easy to trim just a little each year in early spring, so that when the new growth starts it fills in quite well. I have mine in a place where it stays moist, but is well drained (we have springs all over our property and most areas are fairly moist, but being on a slope allows for good drainage).

Visitors to my backyard always oooh and ahhh when they see this gem. I've also added a second smaller one above my frog pond. We have springs close to where this one is planted and it also does very well.

Deer will graze these during the winter, so I hearily recommend that you net or surround with a fence if you have deer in your area. If browsed, they will recover, but it will take quite a while. My smaller one was "topped" by deer when a fallen tree allowed them access to it two winters ago. It has just started looking good again this year.

I heartily recommend this shrub, it's easy to care for, extremely graceful looking and will add a wonderful focal point!