Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'LITTLE SPIRE'

Lawson cypress is native to northwestern America, from Oregon to northern California. It was first discovered by European Americans near Port Orford, Oregon, and was introduced to horticultural market in 1854. It was described by the Scottish botanist Andrew Murray (1812-1878) and named after another Scottish botanist and merchant, Charles Lawson (1795-1873), who became famous by importing new plant species from America to Britain. This cypress tree was one of his discoveries. It is a hardy, evergreen conifer with soft, scale-like needles. Perhaps all over the world in temperate climates, it is widely planted in gardens and parks and is popular for its variability. There are many colourful varieties that brighten up compositions of dark green shrubs and trees and perform also in decorative outdoor containers.

Little Spire is an evergreen Lawson cypress variety from 1972. It is very similar to Wisselii variety but is more slender and forms a narrower crown. Branches are strictly upright, somewhat spiral like a winding staircase, and covered with small, scale-like needles of rich green colour with blue-green tones. In spring appear profusion of tiny crimson flowers. It grows rather slowly and can be pruned or trimmed in mid spring or in 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 12-03-2018