Other Names:  Japanese Falsecypress, Sawara Falsecypress

Group/Class:  Dwarf Variegated Falsecypress

Description:

A very slow growing dwarf falsecypress with fine, gray-green foliage flecked with butter cream variegation; forms a neat, bun shaped mound; ideal for color and texture contrast in shrub borders, rockeries, or containers

Ornamental Features

Mini Variegated Falsecypress is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the garden for its interestingly mounded form. It has attractive buttery yellow-variegated grayish green foliage which emerges light green in spring. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain grayish green throughout the winter.

Landscape Attributes

Mini Variegated Falsecypress is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a mounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Mini Variegated Falsecypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Rock/Alpine Gardens
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Mini Variegated Falsecypress will grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It may require supplemental watering during periods of drought or extended heat. This plant should not require much in the way of fertilizing once established, although it may appreciate a shot of general-purpose fertilizer from time to time early in the growing season. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

Mini Variegated Falsecypress makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. It can be used either as 'filler' or as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination, depending on the height and form of the other plants used in the container planting. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.