Sciadopitys verticillata 'BEAUTY GREEN' Japanese umbrella pine
Sciadopitys
The Japanese umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata) ranks among the oldest surviving conifer species and represents a remnant of vegetation that was already widespread during the Tertiary period. From a botanical perspective, it is an extraordinary tree: the sole living species of the genus Sciadopitys and the only representative of the entire family Sciadopityaceae, with no close relatives among modern conifers. This isolated position makes it a true evolutionary relic that has survived virtually unchanged for millions of years. It continues to attract attention primarily because of the structure of its needles. Although they may resemble those of a thick‑needled pine at first glance, they are in fact much closer to the foliage of long‑extinct horsetails. In its native land, the tree is valued not only for its unique appearance but also for its longevity, stability, and ability to endure changing conditions. In Japanese culture, it has a long tradition as a sacred tree, often planted near Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples.
In the wild, the Japanese umbrella pine grows exclusively in Japan, specifically in the mountain forests of the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. Its main natural habitats lie on Mount Kōya and in the Kiso River valley in Wakayama Prefecture, where it forms part of moist, shaded woodland with acidic soils. European botanists were introduced to the species in 1842, when it was formally described by Philipp Franz von Siebold and Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini based on material brought from Japan. The first living plant was sent to England by the botanist Thomas Lobb in 1853, although it did not survive. During the 1860s, seeds were repeatedly imported into Europe, enabling the species to spread more widely in cultivation.
Beauty Green belongs among compact, slow-growing Japanese umbrella pines valued primarily for the colour of their needles and an overall impression of freshness. Compared with the species and some darker forms, it appears lighter and more vibrant, without losing the characteristic dignity of the genus Sciadopitys. The needles are long, slightly flattened, fleshy and soft, arranged in regular whorls, but their colour is strikingly bright green, clean and even throughout the year. This fresh tone gives the plant a lighter presence and makes it easy to read even in denser plantings. Growth is slow and even, with regular branching, and the natural outline is distinctly conical. In gardens, mature plants typically reach between 3 and 4 metres in height and approximately 2 metres in width, while retaining compact proportions over the long term without the need for intervention.
The cultivar ‘Beauty Green’ arose from a selection among seedlings at the German nursery Carstens in 1998 and was introduced to the market in 2005. Unlike older garden forms, it is not a chance mutation but a deliberately selected plant, chosen for its compact growth and stable, fresh green needle colour. In the landscape it is used as a distinctive feature in thoughtfully designed gardens, where every shrub and tree has its purpose, colour and place. It is long-lived and maintains its characteristic qualities even after many years of cultivation under varying conditions.
Despite its exotic appearance, the Japanese umbrella pine is far from delicate. With a well‑chosen site, it requires little care beyond watering during the first year after planting. The key is an acidic, humus‑rich, well‑drained soil with even moisture, avoiding both prolonged waterlogging and drought; permanent mulching is ideal. It thrives best in a sunny position, and, in moist soil, it even tolerates midday scorching sun. It can also be grown in shade, where it tends to stretch toward the light and becomes slimmer and thinner. Exposed, windy sites are unsuitable: not only do the soft branches bend with the wind, but needle drop often occurs. Fertilization is not essential, though it can be beneficial. Pruning is unnecessary but possible on late winter; careful nurseries often use it to produce compact, dense plants at saleable sizes. Older literature frequently describes the species as poorly hardy, but this no longer reflects current experience or modern sources. Practical experience shows that it can withstand several days of frost down to −27 °C without damage, and some modern databases even place it in USDA hardiness zones 4b to 5 (down to −32 °C). The Japanese umbrella pine is also exceptionally long‑lived, capable of surviving for several centuries while retaining its stable form and vitality. It is not a tree for quick results, but a calm, enduring presence in the garden – one whose value increases with time.
Last update 13-02-2013; 19-02-2026
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