Sciadopitys verticillata 'COMPACTA' Japanese umbrella pine
Sciadopitys
Japanese umbrella pine is an exquisite-looking conifer with dark green needles. They are glossy, 5-12 cm long and grow in whorls of 15-20. They are borne at the shoot-tips like the spokes of an umbrella, hence it name.Compacta is a new and still little known variety of Japanese umbrella pine. It forms an almost spherical shape without a central leader. It grows more slowly than the species and its ultimate height is estimated at about 2m. Though it is called a pine, it does not belong to the genus. Some even say it has a lot in common with Mesozoic and Cainozoic horse-tails.
It will be happiest in semi-shade or filtered sun. You can place it in full sun, too, and provide some midday shade. Though, we grow it in full sun and it does pretty well. In winter it gains bronze colour which is its protection from the cold. The soil should be moist but well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic. Reasonable fertilizing will help it grow strong and keep a good colour, excess fertilizing may result in too long shoots that will be damaged by frosts. Full hardy to min. -29°C, perhaps more (USDA zone 5).
Last update 07-09-2009.
