Chamaecyparis obtusa 'SAFFRON SPRAY' Hinoki cypress
Symbivit Tric (arbuscular)
Symbivit (arbuscular)Chamaecyparis
The genus Chamaecyparis comprises a small group of coniferous trees native exclusively to eastern Asia and the western regions of North America. Botanically, it belongs to the cypress family and is characterised by its fine branch structure, scale‑like foliage and remarkable diversity of forms and colours, which has made it one of the most important genera of ornamental conifers. The genus was first formally described by Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher (1804–1849) in the first half of the nineteenth century, at a time when Europe was becoming increasingly familiar with the flora of the Far East. Fossil evidence suggests that the ancestors of modern false cypresses were once far more widely distributed, making the genus another example of woody plants that survived major climatic shifts in restricted refuges.
This variety of Hinoki cypress should be on a pedestal in our garden centre as it holds a name very similar to our company name: Saffron Spray. Well, it is nice but just for a name we will not go overboard.
It is an evergreen, compact conifer with mid green leaves and random appearance of bright yellow flat sprays as we see on Calocedrus decurrens "Aureovariegata". The rest of the shrub bears tiny, fine needles and these sprays look so different as if they had nothing to do with it, as if they perhaps had fallen on it from the sky. In any way they are a rightful part of the shrub and they can help this shrub find its place among other conifers which it will highlight thanks to its combination of vivid yellow and green colours.
Last update 25-02-2010
Hinoki cypress likes medium fertile, acid to neutral, moist but well-drained soil. Grow it preferably in full sun or only a light shade so that the plant keeps its compact shape and bottom branches. Pruning or trimming can be done in early spring after all frosts. Mulching is recommended for keeping the soil moist. Fully hardy to -29°C (USDA zone 5), possibly a little more.
