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