Chamaecyparis obtusa Nana Gracilis

The  Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is a dwarf variety of false cypress, known for its graceful and attractive appearance. It has an irregular and compact globose habit, which then becomes conical,  always maintaining a very neat appearance. Its contrasting foliage consists of round and dense scales, light green when young, emerging from a shiny dark green background. With its slow growth and small size, it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries or large pots. It prefers cool, well-drained soils, neutral to slightly acidic, and dislikes hot and dry conditions as well as strong winds.

Also known as hinoki cypress and capable of reaching 50m (164ft) in height in its natural environment, the false cypress is a large conifer belonging to the family Cupressaceae, mainly used for making lacquered furniture and for the construction of numerous buildings such as palaces, in its native Japan. This dwarf variety, 'Nana Gracilis', with its round and compact habit, slowly grows in a cone shape. With a height of 1.20m (3ft 11in) after 10 years, it is a dwarf conifer that is round at first and then conical, with very compact foliage. At maturity and under the right conditions, it can reach almost 3m (9ft 10in) in height and 2m (6ft 7in) in width. Its young light green shoots contrast beautifully with the older dark green foliage.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is ideal for container cultivation on a terrace or in small gardens thanks to its slow growth and small size. Its remarkably slow growth and its Japanese silhouette will work wonders in a minimalist garden, nestled among large stones and in a rockery. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally stand out in the design of a contemporary garden that prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes and textures over flowers. These plants provide long-lasting structure to a flowerbed, mark pathways and line terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for small roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with a very complementary form. They can also be combined with shrubs or ground cover plants such as aubrietas and ceraistes, as well as flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

Tips: Water during periods of high heat as it is sensitive to drought.