Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Twisted Ball - Lawson Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Twisted Ball' is a miniature conifer, with a dense conical habit and light green foliage. Its curiously twisted growth adorned with spring green reflections gives it the appearance of a green flame. Not exceeding 80cm (32in) in height at maturity, it grows slowly and is particularly suitable for small spaces, rockeries, and containers. While not difficult to grow, it appreciates sunlight and cool, fertile, neutral to acidic soils.

Lawson Cypress, sometimes called false cypress, is a majestic conifer from the Cupressaceae family native to the humid coastal forests of the northwest United States. In its environment, it often reaches heights of over 30m (98ft), with a trunk approaching 1.2m (4ft) in diameter. Its habit is straight and conical, and its trailing branches form soft curtains dressed in fairly dark, bluish-green foliage. It has given rise to numerous cultivars, among which there is a wide choice of smaller-sized plants.

The 'Twisted Ball' variety is a reduced form of this species. It has a conical and dense habit, not exceeding 50cm (20in) in height after 10 years of cultivation. At maturity, it will form a small bush of 80cm (32in) with tousled growth. It produces numerous slender and slightly twisted branches, covered with two types of scale-like leaves, with a lovely acidic green colour when they emerge at the ends of the branches in spring, turning to a deep green colour in winter, similar to that of thuja.

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Twisted Ball' is ideal for adorning a rockery, a flower bed, or even planted in groups of 3 specimens in a container. It does not require pruning. 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 the fleeting beauty of flowers. With their reassuring permanence, these plants durably structure a bed. They can mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a setting for small roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with a complementary temperament. They can also be planted with shrubs or ground cover plants such as aubrieta and cerastium, as well as flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.