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Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’ (Sawara Cypress)

Sawara Cypress 'Curly Tops', Japanese Cypress 'Curly Tops'

AGM Award
Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Curly Tops', Sawara Cypress 'Curly Tops', Japanese Cypress 'Curly Tops', evergreen shrub, golden shrub

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’ (Sawara Cypress) is a dense, compact, globose conifer with bright, steel-blue, twisted foliage and branchlets. Its lateral shoots are curled, revealing the white bands of the needlelike leaves which are surprisingly soft to the touch. Slow-growing, this hardy evergreen shrub has an annual growth rate of 1-2 in. (2-5 cm). Remaining attractive all year round, this Sawara Cypress provides unusual texture in the landscape and looks charming in rockeries.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, are winter hardy and pest resistant.
  • Grows up to 18 in. tall and wide (45 cm) after 10 years but may eventually reach 3-5 ft. tall and wide (90-150 cm) at maturity
  • Full sun to light shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, for foundation plantings or rock gardens.
  • Requires very little pruning. Only prune to remove dead, broken, or poorly formed branches.
  • Propagate by grafting and semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Native to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Chamaecyparis
Common names Japanese Cypress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard
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Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cupressus x leylandii (Leyland Cypress)
Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar)
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’ (Nootka Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® Gold (Sawara Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® (Sawara Cypress)
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Pendula’ (Nootka Cypress)

Recommended Companion Plants

Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea Nana’ (Japanese Barberry)
Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)
Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Roots of Life: Exploring the Diverse World of Trees
Cypress Tree: Popular Varieties and Growing Guide
Small Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Appeal
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Chamaecyparis
Common names Japanese Cypress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm)
Spread 1' - 5' (30cm - 150cm)
Spacing 48" - 60" (120cm - 150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, Gravel and Rock Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
Not sure which Chamaecyparis (False Cypress) to pick?
Compare Now

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