Chamaecyparis pisifera '(Plumosa) Nana' 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) Nana is a small sawara cypress, a calm shrub that seems to whisper, “come closer – I’m tiny, you won’t see much from that distance”. And it is right. Its low, cushion‑shaped habit spreads more in width than in height and rarely exceeds half a metre when mature, while often reaching twice that in diameter. Fine, soft branchlets form dense fans with gently curled tips, giving the plant a lively yet remarkably balanced appearance. The colour remains a deep, steady green with little seasonal change, and the overall impression is closer to a carefully shaped mossy cushion than to a typical conifer.
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, so the whole shrub appears relaxed and airy rather than stiff, almost as if lightly fluffed. '(Plumosa) Nana' 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 Nana represents their extremely reduced, naturally stable counterpart. The name Nana is not a marketing label but an accurate description of the plant’s behaviour over time – it remains small, compact and shows no tendency to lose its shape even with age.
In the garden, '(Plumosa) Nana' behaves like a reliable companion that does not demand attention yet always looks right. It shows to best effect along paths, at the edge of a terrace, among stones in a rock garden or in low compositions with other dwarf woody plants. It works well alongside small‑leaved evergreen shrubs and low conifers, where its fine texture softens and balances the firmer shapes around it. In mineral mulch or pale gravel it appears clean and precise, while bark mulch gives it a softer, more natural feel. It strengthens plantings with clumps of perennials and provides them with lasting greenery during the months when they are dormant. This is not a specimen that asks for space, but rather an element that quietly holds a composition together and gives it a calm, steady rhythm without drawing attention to itself.
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
