Chamaecyparis pisifera Golden Pincushion - Sawara Cypress

The Sawara Cypress, scientifically known as Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Nana', is a dwarf variety that has a short and flat cushion-like structure. It has green-yellow to golden-yellow foliage that feels soft and moss-like to the touch. Its unique appearance comes from the flattened and elongated leaves that give it a natural and relaxed look. This plant is a slow grower and is perfect for small rock gardens, pots, or as a border plant for terraces. It thrives in a bright location for more intense foliage colouration in a cool, rich, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil.

The Chamaecyparis pisifera is a sturdy species of Japanese cypress that can grow up to 45 metres (147 ft 7 in) tall in the wild. It is highly valued for its durable, yellowish wood that resists rotting and is commonly used in the production of lacquered furniture, as well as for constructing various buildings such as palaces in Japan. This species has also given rise to numerous cultivars.

The 'Nana' variety is a beautiful low, flattened and spreading bush that grows only up to 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and 60 cm (23.6 in) in width over the years. Its branches are slender, dense, flexible, slightly trailing, and covered with yellow-green foliage. The foliage turns green in shaded areas and lightens to golden-yellow in the sun. The appearance of the plant's leaves changes as it grows. When it's young, the leaves are pointed and stiff like needles. As it matures, the leaves become darker, pointed and have a scaly appearance. The undersides of the leaves have a noticeable white band that corresponds to a row of pores on the plant's surface. The bark of the plant is barely visible and has a dark red, stringy appearance.

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Nana' is a small conifer that's popular in gardens due to its irregular, low habit and golden colour. It can be planted along a terrace or in a rockery, and its flattened cushion shape requires no pruning. It blends nicely with taller varieties that have columnar, pyramidal, or narrow conical habits. 

In contemporary garden design, dwarf conifers are preferred for their aesthetic shapes and textures rather than their flowers. They're permanent and can define a bed, mark pathways, and border terraces. They're also a good backdrop for small roses, peonies, or tousled grasses. They can be used in a mixed hedge or paired with ground cover plants like aubrietas, ceraistes, and flowering shrubs. Playing with volumes and colours is key to achieving a beautiful and harmonious garden design.