How to grow cypress (chamaecyparis)
Find out which chaemaecyparis is the best for your garden, in our Grow Guide.
Chamaecyparis are coniferous trees originating mainly from countries bordering the Pacific ocean, growing in forests in Japan, Taiwan and the West coast of America. There are five species, but hundreds of cultivars including dwarf and slow-growing varieties that make attractive feature plants for pots, rock gardens, borders and hedging. The common name for chamaecyparis is cypress, although the trees are often referred to as false cypress because they aren't in the Cypress genus (Cupressus).
Chamaecyparis have flat evergreen leaves, held in sprays. The colour of the foliage varies widely between varieties, from deep green through to yellow, gold and even blue, and there are shapes and sizes to suit most gardens. The species Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, which has many suitable cultivars for the garden, was introduced to Britain in 1854 and named after a Scottish nurseryman Charles Lawson. Tall, narrow varieties such as Chamaecyparis lawsoninana 'Columnaris' are ideal for borders that are lacking height and impact, Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' brings texture and colour with its silvery blue leaves, while slow-growing varieties such as Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis', with its rounded shape, are good for small spaces and containers.
These coniferous trees not only add interest throughout the year with their evergreen foliage, but also provide shelter to nesting birds, including finches.
How to grow chamaecyparis
Chamaecyparis grows best in a sunny spot, although some varieties can tolerate a bit of shade. These trees thrive in moist soil. Avoid growing chamaecyparis in any area that could get waterlogged as it is susceptible to root rot disease.
Where to grow chamaecyparis
Plant chamacyparis trees in full sun, in moist, but well drained soil. Ideally the soil should be neutral to slightly acidic.
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How to plant chamaecyparis
The best time to plant chamaecyparis is between October and April. Dig a hole that's twice as wide as the tree's root ball and plant chamaecyparis at the same depth it was in its pot, with the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil. Avoid planting in an area that gets waterlogged and give your tree enough space, bearing in mind its eventual height and spread. Water regularly during the growing season from April to September until the tree is established.
How to care for chamaecyparis
Pruning isn't necessary, but if chamaecyparis is being used for hedging it can be trimmed twice a year to keep it in shape. Avoid cutting back into old wood.
Keep the soil around your cypress tree moist for the first two years, but avoid overwatering young trees. Check on container grown trees regularly, especially during the summer to make sure that the compost hasn't dried out. Chamaecyparis doesn't need additional fertiliser.
Pests and diseases
Look out for aphids and juniper scale. Juniper scale are flat, white sap-sucking insects that appear from June onwards. These shouldn't be a problem unless it's a large infestation.
Growing your tree in the right soil and location is the best way to avoid any serious pests and diseases. A healthy tree should be able to cope with small infestations. Encourage wildlife into the garden to help keep pest populations down.
Chamaecyparis can suffer from honey fungus, which can kill the tree, and phytophthora, which causes root decay and branch die back. The main symptom of honey fungus is a white growth between the tree bark and its wood. There isn't any treatment for honey fungus, the tree will have to be dug up and destroyed.
In the case of phytophthora, you may notice branch dieback and the foliage fading in colour. This disease spreads through wet soil, so it's important to remove any affected plants. Ensuring that cypress trees have good drainage is a good way to prevent problems.
Types of chamaecyparis
There are five species of chamaecyparis. The majority of ornamental varieties that are used in gardens today are cultivars of Chamaecypris lawsoniana, Chamaecypri thyoides or Chamaecypri pisifera.
Chamaecyparis formosnesis is listed as an endangered species. It's a massive tree, native to Taiwan, where populations have declined due to logging. Height x Spread: 65m x 7m
Chamaecyparis thyoides – this is the only species that doesn't grow next to the Pacific ocean as it comes from the East coast of North America. It's a narrow tree that can grow up to 15m tall. H x S: 15m x 4m
Chamaecyparis obtusa is also known as the Hinoki cypress, as it's native to Japan. It has a wide, conical shape, reaching up to 6m across, and dark green leaves. H x S: 20m x 6m
Chamaecyparis pisifera has been cultivated for hundreds of years and it has many cultivars that are suitable for gardens, including 'Boulevard'. It's slow-growing with red-brown bark and white, scented wood. H x S: 12m x 2.5m
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Lawson cypress, is from the west coast of North America, and grows up to 40m. It has hundreds of ornamental cultivars. H x S: 40m x 5m
Frequently asked questions
Why is my chamaecyparis turning brown?
Chamaecyparis can turn brown for a number of reasons, including insects, adverse weather, incorrect pruning and disease. Foliage can turn brown after an infestation of aphids or scale insects, which can cause the leaves to dry up. The weather can also affect the health of conifers – frost, waterlogging, drought and wind can all cause brown foliage.
One of the most likely causes of browning foliage is pruning back too hard and cutting into old wood, which can cause bare patches.
If the branches are turning brown, starting at the tips, it could be pestalotiopsis, which is a fungal dieback disease. Look for pin-head sized, black fruiting bodies on the branches. Unhealthy or weak trees are more susceptible to fungal diseases – others to look out for are honey fungus and phytophthora.
Is chamaecyparis an indoor or outdoor plant?
Dwarf forms of chamaecyparis, such as Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Pom Pom', which only grows to 45cm tall, can be grown in a container, but all species are outdoor plants.
Advice on buying chamaecyparis
- Chamaecyparis nootkatensis is now named Callitropsis nootkatensis – you may find it sold under both these names
- Always check the ultimate size of the tree you are buying is suitable for your space as the height and spread of different chamaecyparis cultivars can vary widely.
Where to buy chamaecyparis
Varieties of chamaecyparis to grow
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Aurea' is a dwarf cypress that makes a great choice for a container, reaching only 50cm high with bright yellow foliage that will brighten a small garden or patio. Height x Spread: 50cm x 50cm
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwoodii' is a versatile variety with a columnar shape, which can be used for hedging or as an individual specimen tree. H x S: 6m x 2.5m
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Pelt's Blue' is a narrow, conical tree with blue-grey leaves that mature to a dark blue-green shade. H x S: 4m x 1.5m
Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Top Point' is perfect for a pot, adding year-round interest with foliage that turns purple and bronze in the winter. H x S: 1.5m x 1m
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' brings architectural impact to borders with its silver blue foliage that is tinted with purple in cold winters. H x S: 8m x 4m
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