Fernspray Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’

Other Names: Hinoki False Cypress, Hinoki Falsecypress

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer

Height at Maturity: 6-7′ at 10 years of age; 15-20′ at maturity

Width at Maturity: 3-4′ at 10 years of age; 10-12′ at maturity
Spacing:

Growth Habit / Form: Conical, Upright

Growth Rate: Slow; 6 to 8″ per year

Foliage Color: Deep Green

Fragrant Foliage: Mild Pine Scent

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun

Water Needs: Average, low when established

Soil Type: Clay (Amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained; tolerates dry when established

Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought (when established), Insect

Description

A unique coniferous evergreen tree with no two specimens looking the same, the Fernspray Hinoki Cypress is full of character. It has an upright habit with open branching ending in straggly stems bearing distinctive, flat, fern-like sprays of deep green foliage. Growing 6 to 8 feet tall and half as wide in 10 years with no pruning, and ultimately to 20 feet tall and half as wide at the base, the Fernspray Hinoki is a highly attractive addition to any garden, especially Asian theme gardens. With an annual pruning in late winter, it can be kept to half its size and a fuller form if desired. That said, we like it’s natural look. If you do decide to prune it, that’ll be about the only maintenance to what is otherwise a carefree plant.

This cultivar, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’, originated long ago in Japan. P.F. von Siebold imported the first plants to Leiden, The Netherlands in 1860. It is relatively uncommon in North America. The name filicoides means fern-like; from Latin: filix = fern, and from Greek: oides = resemblance.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing up to 20 feet tall and maybe half as wide at the base, the Fernspray Hinoki Cypress is ideal for use as a specimen in smaller to mid size garden spaces or in groupings in larger landscape borders. It can also be used to frame the corners of homes or to accentuate or frame an entryway. A fine addition to Asian theme gardens, conifer gardens and rock gardens.

Growing Preferences

The Fernspray Hinoki Cypress is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full to part sun. It is tolerant of dry soil conditions when established. Maintenance is minimal with little to no pruning required. That said, it can be pruned for size control and shaping purposes.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to get helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, fertilize and water Cypress trees.

How To Plant & Care For Cypress Trees

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