| General Description | Is a medium to large evergreen and moderately slow
growing Japanese Cedar cultivar. The light green foliage of ‘Spiralis’ twists around the
branches throughout the entire plant, hence the name spiral. |
| ID Characteristic | Has light green, awl type foliage that spirals around the
branches. When young the plant is more rounded, but as it matures it becomes more
pyramidal. This cultivar is also non-flowering. |
| Shape | Rounded and dense for the first 10-15 years of its life, when matured it will
develop an upright leader making the plant more pyramidal. |
| Landscape | Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ only has a couple uses in the
landscape. It’s a vigorous, globe shaped plant when young. ‘Spiralis’ will develop a
leader and a broad, upright habit that makes a dramatic impression in the landscape as
an accent or specimen plant. Or can be a screen when mature because of its density. |
| Propagation | Propagation of Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ is best done from
semi-hardwood cuttings. Semi-hardwood cuttings generally root easily and don’t require
a lot of extra knowledge. You take cuttings from the growing tips of the plant, ideal
lengths are 4-6 inches using your pruners. The cutting should be healthy and have no
signs of pests or disease. Plant the semi-hardwood cutting in a container filled with
unfertilized potting mix and coarse sand. Water the cutting well and cover it with doms
for moisture. Place in indirect sunlight because direct sunlight may be too harsh and
scorch the cutting. |
| Cultivation | Prefers to be grown in full sun in a sheltered location. Tolerates most
but thrives in sandy, well-drained soils. Proper pH should be acidic to neutral soils with
an ideal 5.0-7.0 pH. It’s slightly salt tolerant and completely tolerant to deer. |
| Pests | Has no serious insect or disease problems. Leaf blight and leaf spot are the
only two diseases that can affect this cultivar. |
| Notable Specimens | There is a notable specimen in the Akatsuka Botanical
Garden in Itabashi, Tokyo. |
| Habitat | Horticultural Origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Slightly pendulous branches, with exfoliating
reddish bark. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Has bare, light brown coloured buds
about 1-2 cm long. |
| Leaf Description | Has short, light green awl-like foliage that covers the entire
branch top to bottom by spirally wrapping around it. Also mildly variegated on the tips of
branches. |
| Flower Description | Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ is a sterile cultivar and
does not produce flowers. |
| Fruit Description | Cryptomeria japonica ‘Spiralis’ is a sterile cultivar and does
not produce fruit. |
| Colour Description | Leaves stay the same light green colour all year long,
until it matures and is at full height where the foliage turns a darker shade. The bark is
mostly brown with a reddish tint. |
| Texture Description | Medium |