Conifers
Compacta Hinoki cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Compacta'
Compacta Hinoki cypress contributes dense evergreen foliage and an irregular, sculptural outline to a mixed planting. Its slow development makes it appealing as a specimen, but the name does not guarantee a dwarf plant. Different forms sold as Compacta vary substantially, and some can reach around 25 feet. Confirm the particular plant's expected dimensions before using it near buildings or paths. Sun to partial shade, shelter from drying wind, and moist, well-drained soil provide a good starting point. In Southwest Washington, balance summer watering with winter drainage. Prune lightly, avoiding bare old wood that may not refill.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- Variable; some forms reach about 25 ft
- Mature spread
- Variable; confirm the selected form
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Generally USDA Zones 5–8
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
The dense, irregular outline suits a mixed conifer bed, Japanese-style garden, or roomy foundation planting. Keep neighboring shrubs far enough away that the plant's form remains visible.
Where to plant
Verify the expected size of the nursery's particular form before planting. Allow space for a slowly broadening conifer, with air circulation around its dense foliage and clearance from nearby buildings.
Through the seasons
Dense evergreen foliage and the branching pattern remain visible throughout the year. Small cones are a secondary feature.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
A sheltered position in sun or partial shade suits maritime gardens. Protect foliage from drying wind and provide drainage during wet winters, with water available through summer establishment.
Soil, drainage & water
Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Avoid compacted ground that remains saturated in winter or becomes very dry in summer, and check soil moisture before adjusting the watering schedule.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Remove dead growth and make small shaping cuts only where needed. Avoid cutting deeply into bare interior wood, and use adequate planting space to limit the need for size reduction.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Foliage browning
Tips or patches of foliage may brown from moisture stress, poor air circulation, or disease.
Help your plant thrive
Check the soil and the condition of nearby growth. Reduce prolonged foliage wetting and identify persistent damage before removing affected material.
Tip pests
Individual shoots may brown, die back, or show mined-looking damage.
Help your plant thrive
Inspect affected tips and nearby new growth for insects. Confirm the cause before choosing a treatment.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Weeping Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Pendula'
A sculptural evergreen with hanging branches that can become an upright specimen or a low spreading feature, depending on its form and early training.
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Cupressina Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Cupressina'
Dense, ascending branches create a slender evergreen column, offering substantial height and winter structure where a full-width spruce would demand too much horizontal space.
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2016.04.12 18.49.07 DSC03409 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg
Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA
CC BY 2.0 · Web-optimized
Weeping White Spruce
Picea glauca 'Pendula'
A narrow evergreen with an upright leader and dramatically hanging blue-green branches, suited to a cool, open planting space where its tall silhouette can develop.
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