Chamaecyparis pisifera 'CLOUDED SKY' 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.
Clouded Sky is a name that promises atmosphere rather than a single, clearly defined colour. It does not refer to one specific shade, but to the shifting quality of light and to subtle transitions between blue, grey and green that change with the weather and the seasons. This is precisely the character of this sawara cypress: it does not appear bold or strongly contrasting, but calm and balanced, like an overcast sky that diffuses light and softens the surrounding colours. The shrub has a more regular and compact habit than typical squarrosa forms, with densely arranged branches and finely textured foliage. The needles are soft, short and dense, with a cool blue‑grey tone that often deepens into silvery hues in winter. The overall impression is smooth, tranquil and remarkably even, without sharp contrasts or pronounced seasonal fluctuations.
Clouded Sky belongs among the more modern cultivars of Sawara cypress, and its origin is linked to the deliberate selection of forms with cool, silvery colouring and compact growth. In cultivation it appears as a selection close to the Plumosa group, offering a finer texture and more stable colour than older bluish cultivars. It was introduced around the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, most likely by European nurseries that at the time focused on cultivars suited to smaller gardens and contemporary planting schemes. Clouded Sky was selected for its even growth, good structural stability and its ability to maintain a cool colour tone throughout the year without significant browning or loss of vitality.
In the garden, Clouded Sky is valued primarily as an attractively coloured element that can link and unify stronger colours and textures. It works particularly well as a backdrop for warm‑toned shrubs, perennials or ornamental grasses, where its cool colouring creates a balanced contrast. It is suitable for both modern and naturalistic gardens, for group plantings as well as a small specimen in limited spaces. It performs best in a bright position with plenty of diffused light, where its subtle colour nuances can fully develop. Thanks to its compact growth and naturally regular shape, it requires no pruning and retains a neat appearance over many years without intervention. It also looks excellent as a calm, smaller specimen surrounded by low ground‑cover plants, while its colour can be further enhanced by planting colourful Heuchera in small groups close by.
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 15-02-2012; 25-02-2026
