Chamaecyparis pisifera 'PLUMOSA COMPRESSA' 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.
Plumosa Compressa Sawara cypress appears at first glance firmer and more focused than its finer‑textured relatives. This low shrub has a compact, dense habit that stays close to the ground and grows slowly but steadily into a rounded, tightly knit form. The branches are short and closely packed, creating a regular, slightly domed mass that retains its shape for many years without intervention. The foliage is soft and fine, deep green with paler tips, arranged in small, tightly overlapping fans, so the whole plant feels calm and contained, almost like a carefully sculpted green stone. When mature, it rarely exceeds about half a metre in height, with a width only slightly greater, making it noticeably more compact than most other plumosa forms.
The cultivar originated as a dwarf selection within the Plumosa Group, a group of forms of Sawara cypress that retain a youthful character of foliage throughout their lives. These plants have soft, delicate needles that gently lift away from the branches, giving the shrub an airy, relaxed appearance rather than a stiff or rigid one, as if lightly fluffed. Plumosa Compressa most likely arose in Japan in the first half of the 19th century and reached Europe together with other dwarf forms. Neither the exact author nor the year of selection is documented, which reflects a period when such plants were spread mainly through horticultural tradition rather than systematic breeding. The Plumosa Group was already known in Europe by the mid‑19th century, when Robert Fortune (1812–1880) introduced more vigorous forms into cultivation, while Compressa represents their markedly condensed, naturally stable counterpart. The name Compressa accurately describes its growth habit – the plant remains tight, dense and well‑shaped, with no tendency to loosen or lose form even with age.
In the garden, Plumosa Compressa finds its place wherever a low, stable element with a clearly defined shape and colour is needed. It works particularly well in small gardens, rocky settings or compositions with other dwarf conifers, where its dense structure contrasts with finer or more open forms. It looks equally good planted singly among stones or in small groups that create a calm, green surface requiring little maintenance. In mineral mulch it appears crisp and precise, while bark mulch gives it a softer, more natural character. It also serves well as a permanent backbone in perennial beds, providing a strong visual anchor at times when the above‑ground parts of other plants have faded away.
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 06-02-2013; 25-02-2026
