Cryptomeria japonica
( krip - toe - MEER - ee - uh juh - PON - ih - kuh )
At-A-Glance Information
This species of conifer, commonly called Japanese Cedar or Sugi, needs full sun and regular water, and is a great choice for a quick-growing evergreen tree. It adds 3-4 feet to its height per year in its youth, and can eventually reach 100 feet tall and 30 feet wide. They are most commonly seen at around Bark is reddish brown and foliage is soft bright green to blue-green. Branches are pendulous and covered in overlapping needle-like leaves. Sometimes, these trees are used to create groves for a Japanese garden effect, but they can also be used as specimens, shade trees, and large-scale screening. The true species is less commonly seen at nurseries than its varieties.
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cryptomeria japonica Varietals
The genus Cryptomeria includes just one genus, Cryptomeria japonica, and is a member of the Cypress family Cupressaceae. Cryptomeria japonica grows well in zones 4-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map
'Black Dragon'
Reaches just 4-6 feet tall, with light green new growth that matures to a deep green, and turns almost black in winter temperatures. |
'Cristata'
This variety has unusual, twisted growth at branch tips, and reaches 12-15 feet tall and 6-7 feet wide in 10 years, and eventually grows to be about twice that size. |
'Elegans'
(Plume Cedar, Plume Cryptomeria) Foliage is feathery and gray; looks very unlike the species. Winter color is rich copper-red to purple. Slow grower to 20-60 feet tall and 20 feet wide. Trunks can have a leaning or curving habit. Variety 'Elegans Aurea' is similar, but turns yellow in wintertime. |
'Kitayama'
This variety has a narrow, upright habit to 15-18 feet tall and 8-10 feet wide, with a more compact habit and great winter color. |
Cryptomeria japonica 'Nana'
This variety has an upright habit and reaches 4 feet tall and just as wide. Foliage is dark green. |
Cryptomeria japonica 'Pygmaea' (Dwarf Cryptomeria)
This shrubby dwarf variety reaches 1.5 to 2 fet tall and 2.5 feet wide, with dark green leaves and twisted branches. |
'Sekkan-Sugi'
A slow-growing variety with a conical shape that reaches 18-25 feet tall and 12-20 feet wide. New growth is a cream-yellow color. |
'Tansu'
Dwarf variety that rarely rises above 15 inches tall and wide. |
'Vilmoriniana'
This variety is slow-growing and reaches 1-2 feet tall and wide. Foliage is fluffy and grey, turning bronze in fall and winter. Great as a rock garden or container plant. |
Caring for and pruning cryptomeria japonica Trees
Propagation
Problems and Pests
Gallery
Videos
A video all about growing camellias successfully
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Propagating camellias
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 271, Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cryptomeria)
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