Chamaecyparis pisifera Filifera Nana - Sawara Cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana', also known as Sawara Cypress, is a true dwarf conifer. It forms a semi-spherical cushion with flexible and very dense vegetation, dressed in thread-like foliage, evolving from light green to dark green-blue. Its branches are covered with very fine branchlets, giving the plant a soft, fountain-like appearance. It grows very slowly, not exceeding 30cm (11.8in) in height at 10 years. While perfect in rock gardens and small spaces, this conifer also adapts remarkably well to container gardening. It prefers a sunny or semi-shaded exposure and moist but light and well-drained soil, rich in humus, neutral or acidic.

Chamaecyparis pisifera is a robust Japanese species belonging to the cupressaceae family, which can reach 45m (147ft 7in) in its natural state. It is mainly used for its yellow lemon rot-resistant wood, in the making of lacquered furniture and for the construction of numerous buildings such as palaces in its country of origin. It has given rise to numerous cultivars, classified into four groups, including the 'filifera' cultivars, with very fine branchlets.

The Filifera Nana variety forms a beautiful bush with a rounded and wide habit, measuring 70cm (27.6in) in height, with a spread of 1.50m (4ft 11in) after many years. At the age of 10, it will measure about 30cm (11.8in) in height. Its slender and compact branches are very flexible, slightly trailing and covered with dark green-blue foliage. The juvenile leaves are needle-like (linear, rigid, and pointed) and light green, while the adult leaves are darker, scale-like and pointed. The undersides of these leaves show a very distinct white band, corresponding to a row of stomata (the 'pores' on the plant's epidermis). Its bark is not very visible and dark red and filamentous in appearance.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana' is a small conifer highly appreciated in gardens for its original habit and strong presence. It is ideal for planting in pots on the terrace and in rock gardens. With its very slow growth and round silhouette, which requires no pruning, it will work wonders alongside taller varieties with columnar, pyramidal, or narrow conical habits. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally impose themselves in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over flowers. These plants provide lasting structure to a bed, mark the pathways and border the terrace, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for small roses, peonies, or windswept grasses with a very complementary form. They can also be installed in a mixed hedge or associated with ground cover plants such as aubrietas, ceraistes or flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.