False Cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Best color and form in full sun
• Tolerates light shade, especially in hot climates

Bloom Time:

• Non-flowering ornamental
• Produces small, inconspicuous cones
• Grown for foliage and form rather than flowers

Size:

Height: 1 to 70 feet (depending on species and cultivar)

• Dwarf varieties: 1–3 feet
• Medium shrubs: 5–15 feet
• Tree forms: up to 70 feet

Width:

• 1 to 20 feet
• Varies widely by variety and pruning

Attributes:

• Soft, scale-like foliage in green, gold, blue, or silvery tones
• Graceful, layered branching structure
• Excellent for hedges, screens, or specimen plantings
• Cold-hardy and low-maintenance
• Deer-resistant and tolerant of urban conditions

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained, slightly acidic soil
• Water regularly during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature
• Mulch to retain moisture and protect roots
• Prune lightly to shape; avoid cutting into old wood

Pest watch:

• Generally pest-free, but monitor for root rot in poorly drained soils