Thujopsis dolabrata - Hiba

Thujopsis dolabrata forms a small bushy conifer with a conical habit, rarely exceeding a few metres in height. Often confused with true cedars, it is distinguished by its dense, dark green shiny foliage, with flattened scales forming trailing "hatchet" shapes, with a silvery underside. With slow growth and small size, the Japanese cedar, which thrives in humid environments, has its place in a fresh rock garden, a beautiful pot on the terrace, or near a water feature, in humus-rich soil. Very hardy, as long as it is planted in a fresh, well-drained, non-calcareous soil and protected from dry winds.

Thujopsis dolabrata 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 nature, this tree reaches up to 40 m (131 ft 2 in) in height and 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in width, with a red-brown bark that peels off in vertical strips. It has a pyramidal and dense habit, with multiple tops and flattened branches that reach the ground, resembling the elegant fronds of certain ferns. It is a very hardy species, well adapted to cool temperate climates and humid, non-calcareous soils. Its wood is durable and pleasantly scented, similar to that of Western red cedar. In Thujopsis, the cones are ovoid, small (15 mm (0.6 in) long by 10 mm (0.4 in) in diameter), covered with 6 to 12 scales, themselves covered with a violet-white wax when young.

This conifer has given rise to some cultivars that have been selected for their reduced growth and ornamental qualities. Its growth will be a maximum of 3 cm (1.2 in) per year in the first few years after planting, and then a maximum of 2 m (6 ft 7 in) per year, after 40 years. Its maximum size is 10 m (32 ft 10 in) in height and 4 m (13 ft 1 in) in width. This conifer reveals an aromatic foliage when crushed, made up of flattened branches that appear braided, and covered with fleshy scale-shaped leaves,  3 mm (0.1 in) long. Overlapping with each other, the diamond-shaped leaves give the branches a flat appearance, but thicker than in cedars. The shiny foliage consists of hatchet-shaped scales, dark green on top and silver underneath, which distinguishes it from true cedars.

The Japanese cedar is a plant that prefers humid, non-calcareous soil. It naturally fits in a small garden, a fresh rock garden, or planted as a border for a pond. It can also be planted in a beautiful pot on the terrace or balcony, making sure to water it regularly with non-calcareous water. It pairs well with large stones bordering a small waterfall, ferns, astilbes, primroses, Farfugium, and other plants that thrive in sunny, moist environments. It also pairs well with other Japanese garden species, such as Japanese azaleas, Japanese maples, and Hinoki cypress. It can also be grown in a pot, pruned into clouds, or trained as a bonsai.

The true graphic qualities of conifers naturally come into play in the design of a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures over the dance of blooms. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, structurally enhance a flower bed, mark pathways, and border terraces, easily replacing the strong presence of trimmed boxwood or holly. The key is to play with volumes and colours.