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Ericoides Hinoke Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa (ka-may-sy-PAR-is ob-TOO-sah eh-ri-KOY-deez)

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

‘Ericoides’ is a dwarf cultivar of Hinoki cypress (or false cypress) in the Cupressaceae family. The slow-growing evergreen Hinoki cypress is native to Japan. The Latin name comes from the Greek word chamai , meaning “on the earth,” or dwarf, and kyparissos for “cypress.” ‘Ericoides’ grows 5 to 10 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide in 10 years, with a broad, upright pyramidal form and spreading branches. These plants grow best in full sun to part shade in moist, but not wet, fertile soil. They are relatively low maintenance with moderate water needs. Pruning is generally not required. The new foliage is blue-green, which becomes a glossy light green as it matures. It adds winter interest with a purplish-green cast to the foliage. These plants are often used as small accents, hedges, or foundation plantings. Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to juniper blight, root rot and insect pests such as bagworms. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis obtusa .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 33 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Camellia Winter Group Ilex vomitoria 'Taylor' s Rudolph' Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot' s Spire'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Broad; Erect; Pyramidal; Spreading
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf feel
Prickly
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Foliage is blue-green which matures to a glossy light-green.
Fall color
Purple/Lavender
Flower detail
No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.
Fruit detail
No true fruits, seed bearing cones.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Small Space
Landscape theme
Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #winter interest #foundation planting #dwarf #purple needles #blue green needles #container plant #small shrub #low maintenance #hedge #accent
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Juniper Pest Management Calendar; Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.