Chamaecyparis pisifera, Japanese Falsecypress is an under-used conifer in the southern landscape. The Wilson Display Garden at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street has three cultivars of this stunning conifer.

In general, Falsecypress can mature to 50-70 feet in height and 10-20 feet in width but there are many smaller cultivars. Falsecypress grows as a pyramidal tree with a loose open habit. It is an elegant conifer in youth with feathery branches.

The bark of this plant is also handsome, peeling in strips that is reddish brown.

Falsecypress is dark green above (a variety of foliage colors is available) with white markings underneath. The white markings are an easy way to determine whether or not the plant you are looking at is a Chamaecyparis.

Plant Falsecypress in a well-drained but moist soil. It likes humid weather, sunny, open locations and low to no lime.

Use Falsecypress as accent plants in the landscape.

The three cultivars located in the Wilson Display Garden are 'Boulevard'. 'Boulevard' has needle-like foliage and a silvery blue-green color that changes to a grayish blue in the winter. It grows 10 feet high and is narrow.

'Golden Mop' is a compact yellow-foliage cultivar. It has drooping stringy branches, very fine textured, truly a lovely accent plant.

'Wells' is a dwarf green cultivar.

The Wilson Display Garden, at 1806 S. Goldsboro Street and is open from dawn until dusk. Notice our garden expansion, which will be planted this fall. Come visit the garden! Gardening questions can be answered, Mondays and Fridays from 1 until 3 PM by calling 237-0113.

Date Created: 7/11/03.