The Tenzan Japanese Cedar is a very rare miniature plant, which grows into a dense, tightly branched ball of branches and foliage, slightly wider than it is tall. It grows slowly, adding about ½ an inch of new growth a year. In ten years’ time it will be about 6 inches tall and 8 inches across, a glowing green gem of a plant that is absolutely adorable. The foliage is dense and compact, with short, prickly needles packed along the tiny stems. The color is dark green, with lighter leaves in spring creating a subtle transition.

Growing Tenzan Japanese Cedar Trees

This is not a plant to put out in the rough and tumble of an ordinary garden, but one to grow in a sheltered pocket of a rock garden, in a planter or trough dedicated to tiny shrubs and plants, in a special container to be admired, or perhaps grown in a dish along side bonsai plants for an Asian garden. A wonderful way to grow special plants like this is to create a window box or planter box for a collection of plants like this one. It could, for example, share the space with the Chirimen Hinoki Cypress, another jewel-like miniature form of a different Japanese tree. In a larger planter you could use the best of our slower-growing evergreens – browse our collections – and with some stones and gravel you have an enchanted miniature garden.

Planting and Initial Care

Grow the Tenzan Japanese Cedar in full morning sun, with some shade in the hottest parts of the day, as the needles can scorch in very hot sun. It is not quite as hardy as other Japanese cedar varieties, and it is reliably hardy in zone 7, 8 and 9. In Zone 6 it would be a relatively easy matter, if it was in a trough or pot, to give some shelter on cold winter nights, so it can also be grown in that zone, with some care. It does best in moist, well-drained soil, and in pots and planters the soil should be a blend of one-half potting soil for acid-loving plants, and one-half garden soil, with some coarse river sand added. Water only when the top ½ inch of the soil is dry, but water thoroughly when you do. Some ½-strength liquid evergreen fertilizer can be used in spring and early summer. Pests and diseases should not be problems, and patience is the secret to growing this precious plant.

History and Origins of the Tenzan Japanese Cedar

It is always amazing how different a selected form of a plant can be from its wild beginnings. When we think that the Japanese Cedar (cryptomeria japonica), is a large forest tree with a straight, soaring trunk rising over 100 feet into the air, it is hard to see the connection between the tiny Kenzan Japanese Cedar, the smallest of all the special forms of this plant, and that huge tree – but connected they are. The Japanese Cedar grows in forests throughout Japan, and it is the National Tree of Japan. Its Japanese name is sugi. This sacred tree has aromatic wood, like American Cedar, and it is used in the construction of temples, and for trunks and other kinds of furniture. Special forms have been cultivated in Japan and China for centuries, and they have been making their way to the West since the 19th century.

Other forms have been found outside Japan, and the form known as ‘Tenzan’ was found in the mid-1970s at the Nelis Kools nursery in Duerne, The Netherlands. Sometimes conifers produce dense clusters of tiny branches on the stems of larger trees. These are called ‘witch’s brooms’, and it was one of these that became ‘Tenzan’. It was found growing as a dense cluster of tiny branches near the base of a young seedling tree. This smallest of all Japanese cedars is a true garden jewel, to be treasured and valued for its unique miniature form.

These slow-growing plants are difficult to propagate, because so little new growth is produced, so they are always rare and difficult to find for sale. We searched hard, and we now have a very limited stock of this plant. Its value is known to collectors and enthusiastic gardeners, and our plants will soon be gone. To have this treasure in your collection, order now.

The Compressa Japanese Cedar is a unique plant that grows to become about 15 inches tall and wide in 10 years. It develops a slightly irregular broad egg-shaped to conical form, with stiff, dense, upright branches. This plant grows about 1½ inches a year throughout its life, so in another 10 years it will be approaching 3 feet tall and wide, and it will have become a venerable specimen in your garden. This plant is perfect as a gift to someone (or to yourself) of a plant that adds real value and interest to an existing garden. Grow it in a collection of other dwarf evergreens. Plant it in a rock garden, or beside a paved terrace. Grow it in a planter on a patio or balcony. Start it in a miniature garden in a box or tray, and then move it into a pot or the garden when it becomes too large. It can also be developed into a unique and interesting bonsai tree, and of course it fits perfectly into any Japanese-themed area.

The glossy, flat, dark-green needles of the Compressa Japanese Cedar are about 3/8th of an inch long, and they grow outwards all around the many stems that crowd together to make this plant. Each stem ends in a bushy rosette of needles, creating a fascinating and unique surface texture to the plant. In winter the needles, especially those in the terminal rosettes, turn an attractive and striking red-brown color, or sometimes a purplish-brown, which returns to green when the warm weather arrives. Seed-cones are very unlikely to ever be produced by this plant. No clipping is needed – or desirable – to maintain this plant’s unique form and density, and although it is slow-growing, do allow enough room for its mature size when you are planting in a permanent position.

The Compressa Japanese Cedar should be grown in rich, moist, well-drained soil. It is not very tolerant of dry conditions, especially in hotter zones, and it should be regularly watered as needed. It is hardy in sheltered locations in zone 6, and fully hardy in all warmer zones. Plant it in full sun if the soil is moist, but particularly in warmer zones some afternoon shade is valuable, particularly if the soil tends to be hot and dry. Enrich the soil before you plant with organic material, and mulch placed over the roots – avoid touching the stems or foliage – is valuable to keep the soil cool and to retain moisture. A little evergreen fertilizer is valuable for established plants. For growing in containers used a well-drained potting soil designed for trees and outdoor planters. Water pots regularly and deeply whenever the top inch of potting soil has dried out. Water a little less during cold winter periods but keep this plant outdoors for most of the time. Liquid evergreen fertilizer should be used on potted plants over spring and summer.

The Compressa Japanese Cedar is a unique form of the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica. Known as sugi in Japan, this is the National Tree, and it grows across the many islands of Japan, in dense forests. It is also found in parts of China. Wild trees reach 100 feet tall, and the aromatic lumber is used for temples and furniture such as storage chests. There are many selected forms of this plant that have been collected and treasured in Japan for many years. We know this plant as ‘Compressa’, and in Japan it is called Borodo-sugi. It was introduced into the Netherlands in 1942, when Japan was an ally of Germany, who occupied the Netherlands in WWII. The nursery of J. Blaauw & Co. in Boskoop, a famous plant growing area in the Netherlands, released the plant into wider circulation after the war ended.

At the Tree Center we love being able to offer these unique and rare specimens, and we know that our clients who love the special will order it very quickly. Add the Compressa Japanese Cedar to your garden collection, but order now, as they will soon all be gone.

Growing Mushroom Japanese Cedar Trees

The Mushroom Japanese Cedar is a superb mounding evergreen, with soft foliage that is bright green in spring and summer, and then turns a stunning shade of purple-brown to reddish-brown for the winter. It grows steadily into a low, broad mound, wider than tall, that in 10 years will be about 2 feet tall and 3 feet across. At that size it is large enough to make a real statement, yet it is easily fitted into a smaller garden, in the foreground of beds in a larger one, or even mass-planted in groups, for low-maintenance winter interest. Like all conifer evergreens it continues to grow throughout its life, adding 2 or 3 inches a year, to become in time a grand old specimen in your garden.

Unlike most other evergreens, the Mushroom Japanese Cedar is soft to the touch, so brushing past it with bare legs is not a painful experience, but a pleasure. The airy mound of foliage is made up of many small stems, each one covered in small, narrow leaves that point towards the end of the branch. The foliage creates a soft mound of slightly drooping branches, more rounded than truly weeping. In spring the new growth is bright green, maturing in summer into a darker shade of green. When cooler weather arrives, the whole plant turns a deep, rich purple-brown, with reddish overtones – a complete transformation into a different plant. In spring the light green coloring returns for another spring and summer.

Uses on Your Property

The Mushroom Japanese Cedar would be great as part of the foundation planting around your house, among boulders with other evergreens, beside a pond or stream, or in mixed shrub beds. It would look perfect at the top of a wall or coming down a slope. In a simple courtyard or gravel garden it would really stand out, and it fits perfectly into Asian themes. As a simple but very effective way to fill planter boxes and large pots it is hard to beat, alone or with other shrubs and flowers.

Planting and Initial Care

Plant the Mushroom Japanese Cedar in full sun or light partial shade. It is hardy in sheltered spots in zone 5, and hardy everywhere in warmer zones, from 6 to 9, thriving in areas with some summer rainfall. It will grow in most ordinary garden soils, except for soil that is constantly wet. It grows best with moisture, and it should be watered regularly, especially when newly planted, and during dry periods. Mulching around the roots in spring will conserve soil-moisture and feed your tree at the same time. Some fertilizer is beneficial, applied in spring and early summer, and although you could trim lightly, it is certainly not necessary, and leaving your plant to grow naturally is better.

History and Origins of the Mushroom Japanese Cedar

The Mushroom Japanese Cedar is a selected form of the Japanese Cedar (cryptomeria japonica). This tree grows in forests throughout the islands of Japan where it can exceed 100 feet in height. It is the National Tree of Japan, called sugi. It also grows in parts of China, descendants from trees introduced thousands of years ago. It is an important lumber tree, and the wood is aromatic, and used for special furniture, like trunks, and in building temples. This tree has two types of foliage, depending on the age of the stems. On young stems the juvenile foliage is longer and thin, with a soft texture. Older branches have stiffer, shorter and sharper needles.

Some varieties of this plant keep their soft juvenile foliage for life, and the variety called ‘Mushroom’ is one of them. This explains why the whole plant has such a gentle, soft feel. The origins of this unique variety are not clear. It probably originated in Japan, and it seems to have first arrived in nurseries in Australia, and from there it was brought to America. Beyond that we know little – except what an exceptional plant it is.

Our plants are produced by rooting stem pieces taken from exactly the right plant – this is the only way to be sure you really have the variety you want. We specialize in unique evergreens, and our customers quickly buy special plants like this. Order now while our limited stock of this plant is still available – it will soon be gone.

One important shape for that structure is rounded or mounded forms. These act as visual anchors, holding down the landscape, and calming the motion of more upright forms. When that shape is combined with elegance, beautiful soft foliage in changing shades of green, and low maintenance, then we have a plant worth growing in every garden. The Dwarf Japanese Cedar is exactly such a plant.

Growing Dwarf Globe Japanese Cedars

Dwarf Japanese Cedar can be a very worthwhile addition to your garden, as part of foundation planting, to give structure to your shrubs beds, or as a specimen among rocks or on a lawn. Over time it will form a broad mound of green stems with a slightly weeping form, creating softness and tranquility. If left unclipped – which we recommend – the surface will be wave-like and irregular, and so more graceful and individual than if you clip it into a regular form. The foliage will grow down to the ground indefinitely, without developing a trunk.

Appearance

The foliage of the Dwarf Japanese Cedar is soft to the touch. Each stem is covered in small, narrow leaves that point towards the end of the stem. The stems are softly curving, so the plant has a rounded outline, but it is not really weeping in an ordinary way. In spring the new growth is bright green, maturing for summer into a darker shade. In winter the cold weather turns the outer foliage a rusty-red, which is an attractive characteristic of all forms of this plant. The plant begins life as a small rounded form, and grows at a moderate pace into a larger, sometimes slightly conical, mound.

After 10 years it may be as much as 5 feet tall, and the same across, depending on the soil and location. Like all dwarf evergreens it continues to grow while it is alive, so it may in time become several feet taller and wider. When choosing a planting spot, don’t make the mistake of thinking it will always be small – allow enough room for it to expand and grow without needing to clip it. Mature specimens are very beautiful (and also very valuable), so leave it to develop naturally.

Hardiness and Climate

Dwarf Japanese Cedar is one of the hardier varieties of its species, and will grow well all through zone 6, unaffected by temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It will even grow in slightly colder areas, if you plant it in a sheltered spot. It grows best in moist, but well-drained soil, so regular watering in drier areas is best.

Planting and Initial Care

Enrich the planting area with organic material, and mulch around its roots every year or two, to keep it healthy. If you have regular watering, it will grow well in full sun, even in hot regions. If your garden is drier, plant it so that it has some afternoon shade, to avoid the risk of leaf-scorch during the dry summer months. If your soil is sandy, some evergreen fertilizer in spring will help it grow better, and be careful to water regularly, especially in the first one or two seasons after planting. Apart from this simple requirement, the Dwarf Japanese Cedar has no significant pests or diseases and needs no specialized care or attention to become a wonderful addition to your garden.

History and Origins of the Dwarf Globe Japanese Cedar

Dwarf Japanese Cedar is a selected form of the Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica. This tree, known as sugi in Japan, grows across the islands, forming forests, as well as growing in several parts of China. It is the National Tree of Japan, and greatly loved by the people there. the wild tree can reach 100 feet tall and is rarely seen outside Japan. The soft, aromatic wood is used for temples and wooden objects such as chests. Although an upright tree, the young branches have the same slightly weeping form that gives the dwarf variety so much charm. In our gardens we grow several selected forms, rather than the wild tree. This variety is called Mitama-sugi in Japan, and it was brought back from there in 1923. We call it ‘Globosa Nana’. Since then it has been introduced across North America and Europe and is a top favorite of gardeners everywhere.

Buying Dwarf Globe Japanese Cedars at The Tree Center

Our trees are produced from stem pieces taken from correctly identified plants. They are guaranteed to develop true to the beautiful form of this dwarf plant. Avoid cheaper seedlings or un-named trees, which will almost certainly become large forest trees, and are not at all what you want for graceful structure in your garden. This very desirable plant is always in high demand, so our stock will not be with us long. Order now and take this opportunity to enjoy the Dwarf Japanese Cedar for years to come, or consider planting other popular varieties like the Magic Dragon Japanese Cedar and the Cryptomeria Radicans.

Growing Magic Dragon Japanese Cedar

The Magic Dragon Japanese Cedar grows rapidly into an upright narrow pyramid of green, with soft foliage that gives the whole tree a delicate appearance, although it is in fact a tough, reliable plant. It will soon reach 10 feet tall, and if unpruned it will continue to grow to perhaps 30 feet tall. All this time it will stay quite narrow, in a slightly pyramidal shape. Trees that are 10 feet tall are normally no more than 3 feet across, and even at full size it will not be more than 10 feet wide.

When this tree is young it’s rounded, and it may take a couple of years to establish itself in your garden before sending up tall central shoots and beginning its rapid growth into an upright form. These shoots are easily removed to keep your plant rounded, if you wish to do that. The whole plant is easily trimmed into shape, if you want a more formal structure in your garden. For a hedge, plant in a row, spacing the plants 3 feet apart. For an informal screen, space plants 4 or 5 feet apart.

Uses in Your Garden

This form creates a lovely upright accent in the garden, and it looks especially beautiful clustered in a group of 3 plants, or even 5 in a larger garden. A pair can be grown to frame a doorway or entrance. One or a group can be planted near your home to fill an awkward corner, or the space between windows. If you want a narrow hedge or screen, then this is an ideal choice. With its rapid rate of growth you soon will have a lovely hedge, which can be clipped into a neat, formal shape, or allowed to grow naturally into a dense screen. It is an ideal choice for medium-sized screens between 6 and 15 feet tall.

Planting and Initial Care

Plant your Magic Dragon Japanese Cedar in a sunny or lightly-shaded location, in an area that does not get too dry, but that is not always wet. Enrich the soil with plenty of organic material when planting, and mulch your trees each year with a rich, organic mulch such as compost or manure. It has no significant pests or diseases, and it is rarely bothered by deer. This is an easy, yet handsome plant to grow, and will be a lovely addition to any garden. It is especially useful for Japanese-inspired gardens, and looks wonderful behind Japanese Maples and other Asian plants, such as Nandina, the sacred bamboo.

History and Origins of the Magic Dragon Cryptomeria Tree

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a tall forest tree that is native to Japan, where it can grow over 200 feet tall. In its natural form it is grown mainly as a lumber tree and the aromatic, light wood is highly prized. Because it has been cultivated for centuries a great many different varieties have been collected, but many are simply small, round shrubs that are good choices for lower foundation planting. The variety ‘Gyokuryu’ means ‘jade dragon’ in Japanese, referring to it always staying green throughout the winter months. This selection was introduced into the USA from Japan in 1967 by the conifer collector Joel Spingarn of Baldwin, Long Island.

Buying Magic Dragon Japanese Cedar

Because of its special characteristics, this tree cannot be grown from seed, but must be reproduced from carefully-selected stem pieces taken from correctly-identified parent plants. Cheap seedling Japanese cedars will grow into a large tree with a trunk, not the neat pyramid of foliage produced by the Magic Dragon. This variety of Japanese Cedar is rarely available, so collectors and knowledgeable gardeners will be rushing to buy it. We have a good stock of plants, but we do not expect them to be with us long, so order now.

This is a tough, reliable plant that will grow to about 10 feet tall in time, with a spread of about 4 feet or perhaps a little more. Its foliage turns a beautiful rich black-green in winter, looking beautiful throughout that dreary season, and especially striking against freshly-fallen snow. Your tree will be rich green in summer and make the perfect backdrop to the bright colors of flowering shrubs and trees.

Growing Black Dragon Japanese Cedar Trees

The Black Dragon Japanese Cedar has an upright form, but with irregular side branches that are almost horizontal, and swirl up at the tips. As your tree matures, the branches fill in and the tree becomes denser, more upright and broader. In time the tree will reach around 10 feet tall, or even taller under ideal conditions, with a width about half its height. The needles are broad and stick out from the branches, giving a stiff feel to the tree and created an interesting ‘mood’. New foliage is bright green and it slowly matures to darker shades, so that by mid-winter the tree appears almost black, which is of course where its name comes from.

When young this tree has an open form, and every example is unique. Some trees show more bark than other, and since the reddish, peeling bark is an attractive feature, more can be exposed by selective pruning of branches. With its twisting habit and swirling branches it really does look liking a rearing dragon and this effect can be increased with staking and pruning. It is also possible to produce a beautiful bonsai tree from this plant.

Planting Location

When planting your Black Dragon Japanese Cedar, choose either a sunny spot or one with a little dappled shade. It looks lovely combined with one of our extensive range of Japanese Maple Trees, producing a classic oriental combination. Plant it in an open spot where its beauty can be really appreciated, although an exotic low screen could also be made from of row of these intriguing plants. It also makes something very different to plant in the ground or in large pots on either side of an entrance way.

Soil Conditions

Japanese cedar will grow in most soils that are not permanently wet, and it grows best in soil that is not dry. Add plenty of organic material while planting, and mulch each spring. Do not let your tree become dry, especially during the first season or two, while its roots spread and establish the tree.

Care and Maintenance

Although this plant requires no pruning, you may choose to remove some branches as it grows to retain its ‘Dragon’ habit, as older trees naturally become fuller and denser in form. It has no significant pests and diseases and is generally not bothered by deer. Over the years your Black Dragon Japanese Cedar will become a great feature in your garden, no matter what style of landscape you have, and this tree is a real asset in any garden.

History and Origins of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria Japanese Cedar

Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) is a tall forest tree native to Japan that can grow over 200 feet tall. In its natural form it is grown mainly as a lumber tree and the aromatic, light wood is highly prized. Because it has been cultivated for centuries many variations have been collected, giving us a wide range of sizes and forms of this beautiful tree. Of all these forms, ‘Black Dragon’ has a unique character that makes it very special. Its exact origins are not recorded, but it was certainly known by the early 1990’s. Many varieties of Japanese cedar are simply dwarf, rounded forms, but the Black Dragon Japanese Cedar has a lot of character and a dramatic form that makes it especially suitable for Asian-themed plantings.

Because of its special characteristics, this tree cannot be grown from seed, but must be reproduced from carefully-selected stem pieces taken from correctly-identified parent plants. Cheap seedling Japanese cedars will have no resemblance at all the Black Dragon and they will simply grow into a large tree.

The first thing to know about Japanese cedar is that, despite the name, it’s not actually a cedar at all. Like many trees popularly known as cedars it’s in the cypress family. This example is native to the forested areas of Japan and China and is highly valued there for its timber. In fact it’s so valued that it’s the national tree of Japan and can often be found there planted at shrines and temples. Wild trees can reach as high as 150 feet.

Growing Yoshino Japanese Cryptomeria Trees

Yoshino is a more compact variety of the Japanese cedar that’s proving very popular with gardeners looking for one of these trees. It generally reaches around 30 to 40 feet tall and has a straight trunk with a pyramidal form. It’s fairly wide for a pyramidal conifer, usually spreading to between 20 and 30 feet across the base. The branches grow horizontally and are arranged in tiers around the trunk; usually the tops droop slightly. Sharp-pointed needles up to three-quarters of an inch long cover the branches in a dense spiral pattern. While the needles look quite fearsome they’re actually soft to the touch, making this tree friendly to children and small wildlife.

The foliage can take on a range of colors, varying from lime green to a bluish green. Most varieties of the Japanese cedar take on a bronze tint in winter but Yushino is much better at holding its color, making it an ideal choice for maintaining interest through the colder months. Japanese cedars are non-flowering but produce cones up to an inch in diameter; these appear at the tips of the branches. Although most of the trunk and branches are usually hidden by the needles the red-brown bark is deeply fissured and often peels away in strips.

Hardiness

Many members of the cypress family are warm-weather trees, but Yoshino is more robust and can be successfully grown in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. Because it doesn’t like dry soil it’s not suitable for the drier parts of the South, and in northern New England and parts of the Midwest the winters can be too cold for it, but it will thrive across most of the country. Look for a spot that gets full sunlight and has moist but well drained acidic soil. Rich soil with a lot of humus is perfect. If necessary Yoshino can tolerate light shade. To prevent damage to the foliage in winter try to arrange shelter from the wind, which can really dry your tree out.

Care and Maintenance

This is a low-maintenance tree; as long as you give it enough room when it’s planted, pruning should not be necessary, as it will hold its form naturally. In fact pruning should be avoided unless absolutely necessary as, while the tree can withstand it, you’ll lose the attractive drooping tips to the branches and many of the cones as well. It’s usually best to just leave it; as long as the soil around the roots stays moist you shouldn’t need to do much. Pest and disease problems are also rare; leaf blight or leaf spot may appear, but in general it’s issue-free.

Uses on Your Property

Yoshino is faster growing than most Japanese cedar varieties, which makes it a good choice if you’re looking to plant a screen. A row of these trees will quickly form an attractive but effective barrier to anyone overlooking your garden. It’s dense enough that a well-situated line of them makes for a good windbreak too, so if you want to tame a breezy spot around your home Yoshino is a good choice.

Most gardeners, however, use it as a specimen tree and with its imposing size and appealing looks it’s a natural in that role. Many gardeners use these trees as a lawn centerpiece, or add height and interest to a naturalized garden or shrubbery.

Benefits to Wildlife

Because it’s not a native species, the Japanese cedar’s cones aren’t a significant source of food for wildlife but some adventurous birds or squirrels may appear anyway; it’s also a convenient shelter for them, either against predators or bad weather. In winter, when so many other trees are bare, they can still hide away among its soft, dense foliage.

This tree is actually a selected variety of the Japanese Cedar called Cryptomeria japonica var. radicans which occurs naturally in Japan and is grown there as an important timber tree. Magnificent avenues of ancient trees often lead up to temples. It is different from the species because it grows much more rapidly and has a more upright appearance.

Growing Cryptomeria Radicans

Cryptomeria Radicans is one of the fastest screening plants available, growing as much as four feet in a year when young. The growth-rate will slow down over time, but not before a magnificent hedge has been created for you on your property. It prefers a cool, damp soil with plenty of organic material, but once established it will take quite harsh conditions. It rarely suffers from insect pests or diseases. It is very deer resistant and is almost never touched even in harsh winters, so it is a great choice if you have a lot of deer in your neighbourhood, as everyone knows the damage they can cause if you do not choose resistant plants.

Size and Appearance

The new growth of Cryptomeria Radicans is a beautiful and significant feature of the plant. In spring the tree is covered with bright-green fresh growth that only slowly darkens to the deeper shade of the mature growth. In fall the colder weather may make the leaves turn a lovely bronzy-green. It is a conifer so it has no real flowers or fruits, but the tiny cones hang like little lanterns on the tree in fall, adding charm to the overall beauty of this lovely tree.

Mature trees grown as specimens can be 50 feet tall in 20 years and eventually much taller. The trunk is thick with mid-brown ridged bark. Over many years the lower branches will die until the tree begins to resemble a Giant Sequoia. However, if it is regularly clipped it makes an attractive, dense hedge with foliage right to the ground which is easily kept in good condition. It is best to clip in fall so that the new, bright-green spring growth can be appreciated for a long time before it needs clipping again. Clippings can be just swept under the hedge to make mulch.

Hardiness

Cryptomeria Radicans grows best in zones 6 to 8, so except for Florida, California, southern-Texas and the northern mid-west states it is an excellent choice for your garden. During the first season water well once a week, but after that water is rarely needed except during very long dry spells. Applying a general fertilizer in spring in helpful but is only necessary on very sandy soil.

Planting and Initial Care

For a quick screen, plant them either 4 feet apart or with the root-balls touching. For specimens allow around 15 feet for later growth. Trees planted 6 to 10 feet apart in groups of three or five make a beautiful way to fill the corners of your property and screen an ugly view. The area you are going to plant in should be dug a foot deep, or even more if you can manage it. Add any kind of organic material – rotted manure, compost, rotted leaves or peat moss – as these will all help develop a good root system that will give you the best growth possible. Some bone-meal or superphosphate worked in is also helpful, but is an ‘extra’ in most soil.

For screening it is best to dig a long trench which is easier to plant into, rather than digging individual holes. Before filling the planting hole completely firm the soil around the roots and add plenty of water. When it has drained away put back the last of the soil and level off. Once established the care required is minimal.

Sun Exposure and Watering

Cryptomeria Radicans is not very shade tolerant, so plant in a sunny location. It does best with regular water and should not be neglected during the summer, especially during the first few years of growth. If grown as a hedge some fertilizer in spring will help maintain healthy, vigorous growth which in turn will give you the maximum privacy. Keep the bottom of your hedge wider than the top so that it stays leafy right to the base.

Buying Cryptomeria Radicans at The Tree Center

Selected plant forms like Cryptomeria Radicans can never be grown from seed as each seedling will be different and unpredictable. Our trees are grown the correct way, from branch cuttings. That way every tree is identical to the original and produces a very uniform effect when grown in groups. However, this takes longer, so avoid cheaper seedling trees that will only be a disappointment. Here at The Tree Center, we sell only trees that are true to the original form and we have a wide range of sizes to give you the best plant for your purpose. We are constantly renewing our stock to ensure every customer receives fresh, healthy plants, so supplies of this tree may be limited.