Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'WISSEL'S SAGUARO'

Do you know saguaro cactus? The typical succulent that gets most photographed when one wants to show a parched dessert with just one living plant. This cactus influenced the name of this Lawson cypress. It is a sport/selection of Wisselii variety. It is an evergreen conifer of strictly upright, narrowly columnar habit. Its branches are covered with congested, scale-like, emerald green needles.

The typical features are the arms, similar to those which saguaro cactus makes. They spoil the slim habit and make this plant unique, piece by piece. It is a very slow grower. Pruning is not required but you can model a fantastic shape by removing shorter, horizontal branches along the trunk, leaving only a few strong ones that will form the arms. Do this in mid spring or midsummer. Never cut into old wood.

False cypress prefers moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil but is adaptable to almost all types of soil. Grow it in full sun or half shade either in a garden bed or in an outdoor pot. Fully hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 22-02-2013