|
Growth Rate
|
- Slow to moderate growth rate.
Typically grows 4–6 inches per year, reaching about 6–8 ft tall and 3–4 ft wide over time.
Naturally forms a dense, conical to pyramidal shape with soft, feathery texture.
|
|
Colorful leaves
|
|
|
Flowering
|
No |
|
Disease resistant
|
Yes |
|
Cold Tolerant
|
Yes |
|
Heat Tolerant
|
No |
|
Drought Tolerant
|
No |
|
Deer Resistant
|
Yes |
|
Edible
|
No |
|
Wildlife Attraction
|
Provides year-round shelter for small birds and beneficial insects.
Dense foliage offers cover for nesting and protection from predators.
Cones may occasionally attract small seed-eating birds, though it’s not a significant food source.
|
|
Self-pollinating
|
|
|
Seasonality
|
Evergreen year-round, maintaining color and texture in all seasons.
Spring: Male cones release pollen.
Summer: Vigorous new growth; maintains dense, vibrant foliage.
Fall/Winter: Foliage color deepens slightly; overall shape remains compact and structured.
|
|
Ideal For
|
Foundation plantings, mixed borders, conifer gardens, rock gardens, container specimens, and Japanese-style landscapes |
|
Leaf Description
|
- Evergreen, soft, feathery foliage arranged in fine, thread-like sprays.
Leaves are scale-like, overlapping tightly along the stems, creating a lush, textured appearance.
Color is a brilliant bluish-green to cyan-green, holding well through all seasons.
Foliage may take on a slightly deeper green tone in winter, depending on climate.
|
|
Flower Description
|
As a conifer, it does not produce true flowers.
Instead, it bears tiny pollen cones (male) and small rounded seed cones (female) in spring.
Male cones are yellowish and inconspicuous; female cones are green at first, maturing to brown.
|
|
Planting Instructions
|
- Best planted in spring or early fall, allowing roots to establish before temperature extremes.
Choose a location with well-drained, moist, and slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–6.5).
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and equal in depth. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the soil surface.
Backfill with native soil mixed with organic matter such as compost or pine bark.
Water thoroughly after planting and apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Keep mulch several inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.
|
|
Pruning & Maintenance
|
- Requires minimal pruning due to its naturally dense, compact, pyramidal form.
If shaping is desired, prune lightly in early spring before new growth begins or after active growth slows in midsummer.
Avoid cutting into old wood, as new growth will not regenerate from heavily pruned branches.
Remove dead or damaged twigs to maintain health and airflow.
|
|
Water Needs
|
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil; avoid soggy or standing water.
Water regularly during the first year until well established, then water deeply during extended dry periods.
Mulching helps retain moisture and protect shallow roots.
Sensitive to prolonged drought, particularly in high heat or windy conditions.
|
|
Light Needs
|
Prefers full sun to light shade.
In cooler regions, full sun encourages denser foliage and richer color.
In hotter climates, afternoon shade helps prevent foliage scorch or dehydration.
|
|
Harvesting
|
- Not cultivated for harvest.
Produces small, rounded woody cones that mature to brown and persist through winter.
Cones contain seeds but are non-edible and have minimal ornamental value.
Propagation is typically by semi-hardwood cuttings or grafting, not seed.
|
|
Fertilizing
|
Apply a balanced slow-release conifer fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) in early spring before new growth begins.
Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can lead to leggy growth.
In poor soils, supplement with organic compost or a layer of pine needles to maintain acidity.
Water well after fertilizing to help nutrients reach the roots.
|
|
Pollination
|
- Wind-pollinated conifer species.
Produces both male and female cones on the same plant (monoecious).
Male cones release pollen in early spring, which fertilizes nearby female cones, resulting in small seed-bearing cones.
|
|
Companion Plants
|
Conifers: Picea pungens ‘Globosa’, Juniperus chinensis ‘Blue Point’, Thuja occidentalis ‘Degroot’s Spire’.
Broadleaf Evergreens: Buxus microphylla ‘Winter Gem’, Ilex crenata, or Rhododendron species.
Perennials: Heuchera, Hosta, Ferns, and ornamental grasses such as Carex or Festuca.
Flowering Shrubs: Hydrangea paniculata, Weigela, and Spiraea provide seasonal color contrast.
Pairs beautifully with rocks and evergreens in mixed borders, foundation plantings, or Japanese-style gardens.
|
