Metasequoia glyptostroboides Matthaei Broom - Dawn Redwood

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Matthaei Broom' is a dwarf Chinese sequoia with a ball-shaped habit, often grafted on a stem. It is a deciduous conifer that develops gracefully trailing branches adorned with soft and delicate feathery foliage. Its foliage, a tender green until summer, turns beautiful shades of orange to russet in autumn. Perfectly suited for small gardens, it thrives in moist to wet, neutral to acidic soil.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides, cousin of Sequoiadendron, is a large conifer belonging to the Taxodiaceae or Cupressaceae family, depending on the classification. It is native to China, specifically the western part of the Sichuan province, where it was only discovered in 1941. It is the only surviving species of a very ancient genus, dating back to a geological period called the Cretaceous, concurrent with the extinction of terrestrial dinosaurs and the beginning of an ice age. Its species name, glyptostroboides, refers to the cone-shaped fruits (strobiles) that are very similar to cypress fruits. Thanks to the natural variability of the plant, there are a number of attractive varieties (29 recorded to date) that are better suited for small gardens. This species shows very rapid growth in moist soil and thrives in temperate climates and non-calcareous, marshy soils.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Matthaei Broom', also marketed under the names 'Matthaei', Headhunter, and Head Hunter, was selected at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan. It is a witches' broom. Witches' brooms appear as dense tufts that develop on the branches of certain trees, resulting from anarchic cell growth. It is a mutation that can be either natural or caused by a fungus or bacterium. The cultivar 'Matthaei Broom' was developed for its ornamental qualities and compact growth. Its growth is slow, initially forming an irregular oval shape before developing a more pronounced central axis. Mature specimens reach a height of 3 to 5 m and a width of 2 to 3 m. Its branches are trailing and its needle-like foliage, light green in spring and summer, turns yellow-orange in autumn before falling. This soft foliage is particularly appreciated for its delicate texture. The bark, although discreet, adds additional visual interest with its varied shades. This conifer is hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -28 °C. Its good tolerance to air pollution makes it suitable for urban environments.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides 'Matthaei Broom' is ideal for small gardens. It can also be grown in a large container on a terrace. This "ball-shaped" conifer is graceful and will serve as a focal point in a landscape design. As it thrives in moist to wet soils, Hostas and Astilbes, for example, can be planted at its base. Iris sibirica, with their elegant flowers and sword-shaped foliage, complement the Chinese sequoia well. Carex (sedges), resembling ornamental grasses, highlight the grace of the trailing branches of the Metasequoia.