Your Miniature Garden Library
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Please visit the plant section of our store Not all plants are available at all times. At right, Fernspray Gold Hinoki Cypress or Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Fernspray Gold' (not listed here yet!) is planted with Pink Chintz Thyme, Hen and Chickens and a Sedum Ogon for a full-sun miniature garden. |
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MINIATURE AND DWARF CYPRESS |
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Commonly know as the False Cypress, these beauties come in a variety of colors and shapes which makes this a very versatile family for miniature gardeners. All are excellent growers and grow best in moist, well-drained soil (not wet) and can stand a little dryness at times, but avoid extremes to be sure. The False Cypress likes full sun and is able to do well in part shade, adding to its versatility. Native to North America, Japan and Taiwan. We've divided this page into the two different species (groups within the 'family' of cypress) that we use for miniature Gardening. The differences are described below each. |
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DWARF HINOKI CYPRESS - CHAMAECYPARIS OBTUSAThe Dwarf Hinoki Cypress species have a wonderful assortment of genuine miniatures, some with a minimum annual growth rate of 1/2"/12 mm per year. They are available in different shapes and sizes which makes an ideal plant for miniature gardens or railroad gardens. The Dwarf Hinoki grows into an irregular, but charming conical shape with short, flattened sprays of leaves with silver markings on the underside. They are use to extreme heat and humidity in their natural environments and are not as happy in dry, cold climates as they resent the freezing winter winds and the spring frost. Hinokis can tolerate part shade and do well in full sun, making them a versatile plant for the hobbyist. Ideal in containers they prefer moist, but not waterlogged soil and can tolerate drought better than any other Chamaecyparis species. Native to Taiwan and Japan.Varieties for Miniature Gardening:
Baldwin Variegated Golden Sprite Jean Iseli Nana Nana Lutea Verdoni |
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Golden Sprite Dwarf Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Golden Sprite'This is one of the slowest growing Hinokis available and an excellent candidate for your miniature garden. The tips of the tiny foliage are a golden yellow that turns into a lovely green color at the center of the shrub. It maintains its bun-like shape through the years and is tolerant of adverse conditions - but avoid extremes to be sure. The 'Golden Sprite' is also great in trough or rock gardens. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge.
Golden Sprite Item #: COGS1 |
Light Needs: Full to part sun - hot sun may scorch the plant when in a container. Water Needs: Regular water. Let dry out in between. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Growth Rate: Less than 3" per year Shape: Globe Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa 'Golden Sprite' Recommended color pairing: Kelly green, dark green and yellow.
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Jean Iseli Dwarf Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Jean Iseli'The 'Jean Iseli' Dwarf Cypress is an exceptional choice for miniature gardening. This little gem is an almost-olive-gray-green color mixed with the deeper kelly greens throughout the branches. The tips on the foliage turn a little bit amber in the winter, then back to a lighter green in the warmer months. The branches swirl upright in a slightly irregular growth pattern. The 'Jean Iseli' is very similar to the 'Nana' Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, which tends to maintain its green color in the winter months. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge.
Jean Iseli Item #: COJI1 |
Light Needs: Full sun - hot sun may scorch the plant when in a container. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Growth Rate: About 1" per year Shape: Globe Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa Jon Iss-ELL-ee Recommended color pairing: Lime green, dark green and reddish green.
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Nana True Dwarf Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana''Nana' is another perfect selection for miniature gardening. The rich green colored branches are tipped in a slightly lighter green that stand out nicely in any garden setting. The tight, fan-shaped foliage grows gradually outward with slightly less swirl than the similar 'Jean Iseli' Dwarf Hinoki. The shape is slightly irregular but it does keep its darling round shape over time. Very easy to grow and would do well in rock or trough gardens too. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click
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Light Needs: Full sun - hot sun may scorch the plant when in a container. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Average Growth Rate: About 1"per year Shape: Globe Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa 'Nah-Nuh' Recommended color pairing: Lime green, dark green and reddish green.
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Nana Lutea Dwarf Yellow Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Also called the Golden Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, this sweet shrub is of value to the miniature gardener. The tips of the foliage are a golden-yellow-green color, turning into a darker green as the branch goes toward the trunk. The 'Nana Lutea' eventually grows into an upright shrub shape in the miniature garden. It is similar to the 'Verdoni' Dwarf Hinoki but slower growing and more sensitive to hot sun. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge.
Nana Lutea Item #: CONL1 |
Light Needs: Full sun - hot sun will scorch the plant when in a container. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Average Growth Rate: Up to 3" per year Shape: Upright Broad Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa 'Nah-nuh Lou-tea-uh' Recommended color pairing: Kelly green, dark green and yellow. |
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Verdoni Dwarf Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Verdoni'The Verdoni Dwarf Hinoki makes a charming addition to any miniature setting. The dense golden-yellow tips of the foliage gradually changes to green towards the center of the shrub. The growth is upright and spreads out with time. The 'Verdoni' is similar to the 'Nana Lutea' but faster growing and less prone to scorch in full sun. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge. Verdoni Item #: COVD1 |
Light Needs: Full sun - hot sun may scorch the plant when in a container. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Average Growth Rate: Up to 3" per year Shape: Upright Broad Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa 'Vere-DON-ee' Recommended color pairing: Dark greens, reddish green and golds.
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Baldwin Variegated Hinoki Cypress - Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Baldwin Variegated'The Baldwin Variegated Hinoki will add some color to your minaiture garden setting. The yellow tufts of foliage are intermixed with the green to create a charming effect as an accent plant or, plant several in a row to gradually form a nice hedge. The Baldwin is slow growing and is sensitive to strong afternoon sun in the summertime - behaves best in part shade. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge.
Baldwin Variegated Item #: COBV1 |
Light Needs: Cool, full sun or part sun. Great with afternoon shade. Hot sun will scorch the yellow foilage. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Average Growth Rate: 2 to 3" per year Shape: Upright Broad Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us ob-TOO-sa 'BALD-win Var-EE-gate-ted' Recommended color pairing: Dark greens, reddish greens, pinks and yellows. |
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SAWARA CYPRESS - CHAMAECYPARIS PISIFERAThe miniature Sawara Cypresses are more tolerant of full sun than the Dwarf Hinokis above. They come in a range of colors that adds to the value as a miniature garden shrub. Generally easy to grow, but they like moisture at their roots and will do better in moist climates than in dry ones although they won't tolerate wet, waterlogged conditions. You can pinch or prune the new growth to keep the shape but don't cut into the leafless part of the branch - it won't grow back. They are native to North America, Japan and Taiwan. |
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Mops Golden Dwarf Threadbranch Cypress - Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Mops'This is truly a great plant for miniature gardening. It has a very nice finely textured foliage that stays a brilliant gold. Well behaved and low-maintenance. Grow in full sun for best color. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge.
Mops Item #: CPMP1 |
Light Needs: Full sun. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -30º to -20ºF Average Growth Rate: About 2-3" per year Shape: Globe Recommended USDA Zone: 4 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us piss-SIFF-er-a 'Mops' Recommended color pairing: Dark green, reddish green and gray green, yellows
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The 'White Pygmy' is a Two Green Thumbs favorite for miniature gardening. The coloring is unique as the tips of the tiny foliage are a lovely cream color, turning into a beautiful grey-green color towards the center of the shrub. It keeps its darling round shape as the new creamy growth looks like it literately springs out from the shrub. Some gardeners like to shear it, but it is the cream tips that are sheared off leaving a somewhat drab looking shrub behind, although the creamy will grow back in time. Shelter this gem from the extremes because light-colored foilage generally doesn't do well in hot sun. |
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Pot is 4" in diameter. Click to enlarge. White Pygmy Item #: CPWP1 |
Light Needs: Full to part sun - hot sun may scorch the plant. Water Needs: Regular water. If it is dry 1" down, then water. Hardiness: -20º to -10ºF Average Growth Rate: About 2" per year Shape: Globe Recommended USDA Zone: 5 Pronunciation: Cam-ee-cee-PEAR-us piss-SIFF-er-a Recommended color pairing: Grey-green, grey, silver and variegated white & green.
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