Chamaecyparis pisifera 'BOULEVARD' false cypress, sawara cypress
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.
The Sawara cypress is native to Japan, where it grows mainly in mountainous regions of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu at elevations of approximately 400 to 1800 metres. Its specific epithet refers to the small, pea‑like cones it produces. The species was first scientifically described by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743–1828), one of Carl Linnaeus’s most prominent students, who reached Japan during a period of near total isolation from the outside world. In its homeland, the tree has long been traditionally used; its wood is valued for its lightness, durability and fine texture and has been employed in the construction of temples, shrines and traditional bathhouses. When crushed, the branchlets release a pleasant resinous scent. The tree is regarded as a symbol of calm and balance and is often planted near sacred sites; in Central Europe it is also commonly found in cemeteries. Unlike many other false cypresses, Chamaecyparis pisifera is exceptionally variable, which has led to the selection of numerous garden forms differing in habit and colour.
Boulevard is a striking, narrowly pyramidal falsecypress with soft, needle‑like foliage in cool blue‑green to glaucous tones, retaining a juvenile growth character throughout its life. At maturity it forms a slender tree or tall shrub with a typical height of around 4 metres, though in favourable sites it may, after many decades, exceptionally reach up to twice that size. Growth is slow but steady under good conditions. The foliage is fine, soft to the touch and densely arranged, giving young plants a very compact and refined appearance. With age, however, Boulevard tends to become more open, exposing older, browning needles within the crown. This is considered its main weakness, and careful removal of these older needles helps to maintain its aesthetic quality.
The cultivar originated as a spontaneous mutation, a witches’ broom, on the cultivar Squarrosa in 1934. It was discovered by Esau Kempenaar at Boulevard Nurseries on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island, USA. The mutation was characterised by denser branching, longer needles and a more pronounced glaucous blue colouring. Initially it was distributed under the working name K and C, derived from the surnames of the nursery’s owners at the time, and later appeared in the literature under the name Squarrosa Cyano‑viridis. The name Boulevard became established only later and is directly linked to the history of the nursery itself. Today, true Boulevard is relatively rare in the nursery trade and is often confused with related or derived cultivars that originated as its seedlings or sport mutations.
In the garden, Boulevard is best used as a specimen plant or as a strong vertical element in more open compositions, where it has sufficient space and light. It performs best in a sunny position with deep, fertile soil, where it retains a denser habit for longer. Regular, careful pruning can significantly improve both shape and density, but requires long‑term consistency. Thanks to its cool colouring, it contrasts well with dark green conifers, evergreen shrubs and plants with warm‑toned foliage or flowers. In contemporary plantings it is often replaced by younger, more compact cultivars that are directly derived from Boulevard.
Cultivation of sawara cypress is straightforward provided its basic requirements are met. It prefers acidic to neutral, humus‑rich and well‑drained soil with a constant supply of moisture, particularly during the first years after planting. Although it naturally occurs in alluvial soils with ample water, these sites never experience prolonged waterlogging, as excess water drains freely through permeable substrates. The plant does not tolerate drying out of the root ball. It thrives best in a sunny position, where its colouring remains most intense, but it will also tolerate light shade. Exposed, windy sites are unsuitable, not because of desiccation, but due to mechanical stress that can distort the fine, pendulous branches. Pruning is unnecessary and is carried out only rarely. Hardiness is excellent, withstanding temperatures down to around −34 °C (USDA zone 4) without damage.
Last update 10-01-2008; 26-02-2026
