Cryptomeria japonica (Japanese Cedar)

Michael's Opinion

A marginally hardy plant that is quite interesting in form and texture. It is prone to severe wind burn in our climate. Some interesting dwarf forms are also available.

Botanical Information

FamilyTaxodiaceae (Cupressaceae)
GenusCryptomeria
Speciesjaponica
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to Japan and southern China.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone5 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH6
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)- 20 - (-15)
Temperature (°F)- 4 - 5
Height4 - 8 m
Spread4 - 8 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMay

Description and Growing Information

ShapePyramidal, stout, upward and wide-spread.
LandscapeInformal gardens and screen planting.
PropagationSeed and semi-hardwood cuttings.
CultivationFull sun and partial-shade. Moist and well-drained soils. Prefers sand, clay, chalk and loam soils with a pH of acidic, alkaline and neutral.
PestsLeaf blight and leaf spot.
Notable SpecimensThe Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara, Ontario. Pinetum Park. Pine Lodge Gardens, Cornwall, England. Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmall, inconspicuous buds that are light green.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionIt is green, very small and hard to see, less than 1 cm in length.
Leaf DescriptionDense foliage with short awl-shaped leaves arranged spirally around branchlets.
Flower DescriptionIt is monoecious, flowers are inconspicuous and dark brown.
Fruit DescriptionFemale cones have 30 scales and each cone contains 5 fertile seeds. The cones are spherical.
Colour DescriptionReddish-brown bark. Foliage is light green to bluish-green in the summer months. The needles appear bronze throughout the winter. The cones are green turning brown as it matures.
Texture DescriptionFibrous bark.

Photographs