Cryptomeria - Japanese Cedar

(Cryptomer'ia)

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of only one hardy, evergreen tree originally found in Japan and China. C. japonica (Japanese Cedar) is a large, quick-growing tree that eventually reaches a height ranging from 120 to 150 feet. This tree is broadly columnar with awl shaped leaves that are compactly arranged on the long, thin branchlets. It has reddish-brown, shredding bark, red-colored heartwood, and yellowish sapwood. The wood has the scent of cedar. 'Elegans', a variety of C. japonica, is a gorgeous, tall, bushy plant that eventually forms a small tree. It has soft, feathery foliage that turns bronzy-red in the fall and winter. Another variety, 'Sekkan-Sugi', is a small tree with very light yellow young foliage. This variety is likely to burn if exposed to full sun. 'Vilmoriniana' is an extremely slow-growing, dwarf bush with tiny branchlets thickly covered with green leaves. It forms a compact globe that turns reddish-purple in the winter. This variety is excellent for growing in the rock garden.

POTTING: Japanese Cedars are easily grown and thrive in moist, but well-drained, loamy soil, in full sun. They will not thrive where summers are too hot or winters too severe. They should be planted early in the fall or spring. These evergreens shed many of their secondary branchlets every year, so it is only normal when some branches turn brown and drop.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown in flats in a greenhouse or cold frame in light, loamy soil, in the spring. The varieties may be increased by taking cuttings in the summer. Short, young shoots are inserted in sandy peat moss in a propagating frame in the greenhouse.

VARIETIES: C. japonica & var. Bandai-Sugi, Compressa, Elegans, Elegans Compacta, Elegans Nana, Lobbii, Nana, Sekkan-Sugi, Spiralis, Vilmoriniana.

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