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Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Lawson's cypress

Common names: Lawson's cypress tree

Lawson's cypress

Photo: jonleebotany · CC0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is an evergreen coniferous shrub prized in gardens for its dense hedge form. It has scale‑like, tightly appressed needles and can grow in conical to columnar shapes depending on the cultivar. Color varieties range from deep dark green to blue‑green and gold‑yellow, such as the ‘Ellwoodii’ cultivar. The plant prefers a moist, well‑drained soil and does not tolerate drought or waterlogging well. All parts contain essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; keep children and pets away from the foliage.

Care instructions

Water the Lawson's cypress regularly during its first year to keep the shallow roots from drying out. For hedge maintenance, prune twice a year, mid‑May (week 20) and late August (week 35), cutting only into the green new growth, as old wood rarely regrows. Apply a layer of bark humus mulch to keep the soil moist in summer and slightly warmer in winter. Avoid waterlogging by ensuring a well‑drained substrate.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 5–78.0

Soil type

well-drained, humus-rich, moist, sandy, lime-avoiding

LightFull sun
HardinessHardy

Feeding

Light feeder

Pruning

MonthsMar–Apr
SeasonSpring
Pruning typeMaintenance pruning

Diseases & pests

1 relevant

From the knowledge base, automatically linked by affected species. How to spot and prevent them is covered in full in the lexicon.

DiseasehighApr–Oct
Phytophthora root and shoot rot

Phytophthora spp.

Phytophthora root and shoot rot is caused by soil borne fungi of the genus Phytophthora, which become active above all where there is waterlogging.

More on Phytophthora root and shoot rot

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