Cryptomeria japonica (syn. 'Sekkan Sugi') 'SEKKAN' Japanese cedar

Sekkan is a gorgeous evergreen conifer not only for Japanese gardens. It forms a fat, cone-shaped shrub or small tree with bright, sulphur-yellow or creamy-yellow new growths. They remain yellow throughout the year until next spring when they turn deep green and are replaced by new foliage that is again bright yellow. This contrast as well as an elegant statue make this Japanese cedar an eye-catching feature of any garden.

The reports on growth rate are quite contradictory so we shall use logic to work out how to look after it. If your Sekkan Sugi grows fast it will soon make a tall stem with weak branching. In such case we recommend pruning it in early spring after all frosts by removing halves of previous year's growths. If your Sekkan Sugi grows slowly it will most probably be quite dense and any form of pruning will not be necessary. Still, if you are addicted to garden scissors you can clip it lightly to achieve an even better shape. Naturally it makes pyramidal shape but you can create almost any shape you wish – I have seen a large ball of Sekkan Sugi and it looked quite good.

Japanese cedar will tolerate most soils including chalky but for best results and most beautiful looking plant grow it in well-drained but equally moist, humus-rich soil in full sun or just a part shade. It is fully hardy to about -27°C (USDA zone 5b) but prefers a location sheltered from drying winds in winter.

Last update 19-02-2011