Thujopsis dolabrata Nana - Hiba

Thujopsis dolabrata 'Nana' is a dwarf form of the Japanese cedar. Cultivated in Japan for a long time, this small evergreen conifer is sought after for its spread-out bush shape. Its thick, glossy scales are light green to yellow-green and form trailing "hatchets", with a silvery underside. It is a very hardy subject, as long as it is planted in a cool, well-drained, non-calcareous soil and protected from dry winds. With its small size and moderate growth, this variety can be planted in rockeries or cool slopes. It also adapts well to a container where it can structure deciduous shrubs and perennials.

Thujopsis dolabrata is the only representative of this genus related to cedars and belonging to the cypress family. It is a large evergreen conifer native to the humid forests at high altitudes in central and southern Japan. In its natural habitat, this tree can reach up to 40 m (131 ft 2 in) in height and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in width, and is covered with a reddish-brown bark that flakes off vertically. It has a pyramidal and dense habit, with multiple crowns and flat branches that cascade down to the ground, resembling the elegant fronds of certain ferns. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to cool temperate climates and moist, non-calcareous soils. Its wood is durable and pleasantly scented, similar to that of Thuja plicata. In the case of Thujopsis, the cones are ovoid and small (15 mm (0.6 in) long by 10 mm (0.4 in) in diameter), covered with 6 to 12 scales themselves covered with a violet-white wax when young. The Japanese cedar, loving humid environments, has its rightful place in a cool rockery, a beautiful pot on the terrace, or near a water feature in humus-rich soil.

The 'Nana' variety has been cultivated in Japan for a long time and was introduced to the United Kingdom in the 1860s. Its growth rate is 10 cm (3.9 in) in height and 15 cm (5.9 in) in width per year, reaching a maximum size of 80 cm (31.5 in) in height and 120 cm (47.2 in) in width. This conifer reveals an aromatic foliage when crushed, consisting of flattened branches that appear braided, and covered with fleshy scale-like leaves 3 mm (0.1 in) long. The diamond-shaped leaves, overlapping each other, give the branches a flat but thicker appearance than that of cedars. The shiny foliage is formed by hatchet-shaped scales, bright green on the upper side and silvery on the underside, which distinguishes it from true cedars.

The Japanese cedar 'Nana' is a plant that prefers moist, non-calcareous soil. It naturally finds its place in a small garden, a cool rockery, or planted as a border around a pond. It can also be placed in a beautiful container on the terrace or balcony, making sure to water it regularly with non-calcareous water. It pairs well with large stones bordering a small waterfall, ferns, astilbes, primroses, Farfugium, and other plants that thrive in sunny, humid areas. It also blends with other Japanese garden species such as Japanese azaleas, Japanese maples, and Japanese Hinoki cypresses.

The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally shine in the design of a contemporary garden, which favours the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, provide lasting structure to a flower bed, mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.