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Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® (Sawara Cypress)

Sawara Cypress Soft Serve®, Japanese Cypress Soft Serve®, Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Dow Whiting', Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Dow Whiting' PP20883

Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Soft Serve', Sawara Cypress 'Soft Serve', Japanese Cypress 'Soft Serve', evergreen shrub, blue shrub
Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Soft Serve', Sawara Cypress 'Soft Serve', Japanese Cypress 'Soft Serve', evergreen shrub, blue shrub

Regarded as a great substitute for dwarf Alberta Spruce, Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® (Sawara Cypress) is a compact and graceful conifer forming a dense pyramidal, evergreen shrub adorned with soft, fern-like branches. Its bright green, needlelike foliage is adorned with silver-blue flecks on the underside. The foliage keeps its brilliant color year-round, adding drama to the landscape, particularly in winter. Attractive during all seasons, this hardy Sawara Cypress provides unusual texture in the garden and looks charming as a formal accent.

  • Grows up to 6-10 ft. tall and wide (180-300 cm).
  • 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 hedges.
  • 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 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120"
(180cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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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 ‘Curly Tops’ (Sawara Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® Gold (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 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spread 6' - 10'
(180cm - 3m)
Spacing 72" - 120"
(180cm - 3m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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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