Sciadopitys verticillata 'COMPACTA' Japanese umbrella pine

Compacta is a Japanese umbrella pine cultivar that retains the character of the botanical species, but on a markedly smaller and more readable scale. From an early age it forms a dense, regular and tightly structured habit that feels calm and well balanced. The needles are shorter than those of the species, distinctly flattened, fleshy and soft, deep green and glossy, arranged in tight whorls that give the plant a firm, almost “stacked” appearance. Growth is slow, even and long-term stable, without any tendency to thin out or become distorted, and because this is an unprotected cultivar propagated from multiple mother plants, several clones exist, ranging in outline from pyramidal through oval to occasionally more rounded forms. In gardens it typically reaches around 3 to 4 metres in height and approximately 2 metres in width, while even after many decades it retains compact proportions and never appears heavy or overbearing.

In the garden, ‘Compacta’ works as a calm, long-lived specimen that requires no intervention or shaping. It suits small to medium-sized gardens, where it can stand alone in lawn, gravel or bark-mulched beds. It fits comfortably into a wide range of compositions, including Japanese-style gardens, where it harmonises naturally with Japanese maples, azaleas and rhododendrons, pieris and similar woody plants that provide a softer, more delicate counterpoint nearby.

The existence of the cultivar is first documented in 1981 in the catalogue of the German nursery and arboretum Zu Jeddeloh, one of Europe’s key centres for the introduction and distribution of rare woody plants. Its precise origin and the identity of the selector remain unknown, which is not unusual for older garden forms of this species. The name ‘Compacta’ is horticultural and, under current nomenclatural rules, is not considered a valid Latin cultivar name unless it was published prior to 1959. As noted by Auders and Spicer (2012), the plant lives up to its name with remarkable accuracy, forming a low, slow-growing and distinctly congested, bush-like structure. All evidence suggests that it arose as a chance selection of the botanical species rather than as the result of deliberate breeding.

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 13-01-2012; 19-02-2026