Chamaecyparis obtusa Nana Gracilis

Chamaecyparis obtusa Nana Gracilis
Hinoki Cypress

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Chamaecyparis obtusa Nana Gracilis 2L/3L pot sample as delivered in autumn

2L/3L pot (Shipped height around 15/20cm)

€19.50

Sku: 633002

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

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This alluring dwarf variety of false cypress has an irregular round, then conical and very compact habit and a very dense foliage composed of round well contrasted, scales initially light green, then shiny dark green. With its slow growth it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries or in pots.

Height at maturity

3 m

Spread at maturity

2 m

Exposure

Sun, Partial shade

Hardiness

Hardy down to -23.5°C

Soil moisture

Moist soil

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Best planting time February to March, October to November

Recommended planting time February to June, September to November

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Description

The Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is a dwarf variety of false cypress, known for its graceful and attractive appearance. It has an irregular and compact globose habit, which then becomes conical, always maintaining a very neat appearance. Its contrasting foliage consists of round and dense scales, light green when young, emerging from a shiny dark green background. With its slow growth and small size, it is perfect for small gardens, rockeries or large pots. It prefers cool, well-drained soils, neutral to slightly acidic, and dislikes hot and dry conditions as well as strong winds.

Also known as hinoki cypress and capable of reaching 50m (164ft) in height in its natural environment, the false cypress is a large conifer belonging to the family Cupressaceae, mainly used for making lacquered furniture and for the construction of numerous buildings such as palaces, in its native Japan. This dwarf variety, 'Nana Gracilis', with its round and compact habit, slowly grows in a cone shape. With a height of 1.20m (3ft 11in) after 10 years, it is a dwarf conifer that is round at first and then conical, with very compact foliage. At maturity and under the right conditions, it can reach almost 3m (9ft 10in) in height and 2m (6ft 7in) in width. Its young light green shoots contrast beautifully with the older dark green foliage.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is ideal for container cultivation on a terrace or in small gardens thanks to its slow growth and small size. Its remarkably slow growth and its Japanese silhouette will work wonders in a minimalist garden, nestled among large stones and in a rockery. The architectural qualities of dwarf conifers naturally stand out in the design of a contemporary garden that prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes and textures over flowers. These plants provide long-lasting structure to a flowerbed, mark pathways and line terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood. They serve as a backdrop for small roses, peonies, or tousled grasses with a very complementary form. They can also be combined with shrubs or ground cover plants such as aubrietas and ceraistes, as well as flowering shrubs. The key is to play with volumes and colours.

Tips: Water during periods of high heat as it is sensitive to drought.

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Chamaecyparis, False cypress: planting, pruning and caring for

Family sheet

Modified the 10 August 2025 by Eva 12 min.

Chamaecyparis, False cypress: planting, pruning and caring for

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Chamaecyparis are among those conifers with dense, scaly foliage appreciated for the making of hedges, notably the Chamaecyparis lawsoniana species, surprisingly used in its typical form. It is nevertheless one of the conifers that has produced the greatest number of cultivars (over 200!) such as Alumii with very compact, bluish foliage and a conical form of 3 to 4.50 m or Ellwoodii, much used in hedges. The wild form, capable in cultivation of reaching 36 m in height with a trunk of 1.20 m diameter, comes from the north‑west United States, like the giant Thuja. Its branchlets, tinged dark green or bluish green, with slightly trailing tips, give it a remarkable, somewhat phantasmagorical undulating appearance while its variety Aurea Densa forms a spectacularly compact golden column. Sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) and Japanese Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) also offer a range of dwarf or moderately vigorous cultivars, with filamentous or, conversely, blunt branchlets, with a fern‑like habit (<a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/chamaecyparis/chamaecyparis-obtusa-teddy-bear-hinoki-cypress.html">C. obtusa Teddy Bear</a>), acidular in <a href="https://www.promessedefleurs.ie/shrubs/conifers/conifers-by-variety/chamaecyparis/chamaecyparis-obtusa-wissel-hinoki-cypress.html">obtusa Wissel</a> in very attractive golden, bluish or intense green colours. The word 'Chamaecyparis' is derived from Greek and means 'cypress‑shaped', given the strong resemblance of its conical habit and its aromatic foliage made of small imbricate scales. However, Cupressus occupy dry, sunny southern areas while Chamaecyparis grow in sheltered, moist, often coastal areas. Chamaecyparis are not demanding about the nature of the soil, provided it is fresh, well‑drained and not excessively calcareous. The species lawsoniana shows a strong susceptibility to the Phytophthora fungus that decimates its wild population in the United States as well as in gardens where the disease is often spread by nurseries. And although they prefer fertile, deep humus, they adapt to less favoured ground, with moderate growth and reduced luxuriance. Avoid pruning them as much as possible.

Chamaecyparis obtusa Nana Gracilis in pictures

Foliage

Plant habit

Height at maturity 3 m

Spread at maturity 2 m

Habit conical, pyramidal

Growth rate slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen

Foliage colour green

Botanical data

Genus

Chamaecyparis

Species

obtusa

Cultivar

Nana Gracilis

Family

Cupressaceae

Other common names

Hinoki Cypress

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference • 6330021

Planting and care

The Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is best planted from September to November and from February to June in rich and deep, well-drained soil. Choose a semi-shaded or gently sunny location, sheltered from prevailing winds. Soak the root ball well before planting. Add organic fertilizer when planting and water generously in the first years. Apply a special conifer fertilizer every year in April and weed the soil in summer. It does not require pruning.

This variety has few requirements regarding the soil but is less tolerant to limestone than its counterparts. It prefers deep, rich, siliceous soil and dislikes being waterlogged in winter. Ensure good drainage of the soil. It appreciates moist and humid climates and does not tolerate dry conditions and prevailing winds. Although it tolerates shade it prefers to be in a semi-shaded area or in gentle sunlight.

Planting period

Best planting time February to March, October to November

Recommended planting time February to June, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery, Woodland edge

Type of use Border, Edge of border, Free-standing, Container, Slope

Hardiness Hardy down to -23.5°C (USDA zone 6a) Show map

Ease of cultivation Amateur

Exposure Sun, Partial shade

Soil pH Acidic, Neutral

Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)

Soil moisture Moist soil, well-drained