Thujopsis dolabrata Variegata - Hiba

The Thujopsis dolobrata 'Variegata' is an old variety that is little known and rare to find. It distinguishes itself from other Japanese cedars with its flattened branches, sometimes medium green, sometimes creamy white, sometimes medium green speckled with creamy white. It is a conifer that forms a small pyramidal tree that works wonders when planted alone or in groups of three in a large rock garden or on a slope, bringing light to the darker corners of the garden. It is a hardy variety like the others, but its growth is reduced and its foliage is more prone to burning under more extreme climatic conditions. Plant it in a sheltered location from cold winds and burning sun in warmer climate regions, in cool, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil.

The Thujopsis dolobrata is the only representative of this genus related to cedars and belonging to the cypress family. It is a large evergreen conifer native to high-altitude humid forests in central and southern Japan. In the wild, this tree reaches up to 40 metres (131 feet) in height and 10 metres (33 feet) in width, and is covered with a reddish-brown bark that peels off in vertical strips. It has a pyramidal and dense habit, with branches that can form multiple tops and flattened branches that hang down to the ground, resembling the elegant fronds of ferns. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to cool, temperate climates and moist, non-calcareous soils. Its wood is durable and pleasantly fragrant, similar to that of Thuja plicata. In Thujopsis, the cones are ovoid, small (15 mm (1in) long and 10 mm (1in) in diameter), covered with 6 to 12 scales themselves covered with a violet-white wax when young. The Japanese cedar, which loves humid environments, has its rightful place in a cool rock garden, a beautiful pot on the terrace, or near a water feature, in humus-rich soil.

The 'Variegata' variety has been cultivated for a long time and remains relatively unknown. Its growth is slower: it grows 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8in) per year and reaches a maximum size of 4 m (13ft) in height and 3 m (10ft) in width. This conifer reveals an aromatic foliage when crushed, composed of flattened branches that appear braided, and covered with fleshy scale-like leaves 3 mm in length. Overlapping each other, the diamond-shaped leaves give the branches a flat, but thicker, appearance compared to cedars. The glossy foliage is made up of hatchet-shaped scales, variegated bright green with creamy white on the upper side and silver on the lower side, distinguishing it from true cedars. In this cultivar, entire branches can be creamy white. This variegation is susceptible to burning if the tree is too exposed to sun or cold winds.

The Japanese cedar 'Variegata' is a plant for moist, non-calcareous soil. It naturally finds its place in a small garden, in a cool rock garden, or planted alongside a pond. It pairs well with large stones bordering a small waterfall, ferns, astilbes, primroses, Farfugium, and other plants that thrive in moist but sunny locations. It also complements other Japanese garden species such as Japanese azaleas, Japanese maples, and Hinoki false cypresses.

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