'Cream Ball' is a compact dwarf cultivar in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). This globe-like, rounded evergreen shrub has cream-colored, variegated, fine-textured foliage. It was introduced into cultivation in the early 1980s. The genus name derives from the Greek words chamai , for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos , for "cypress." The species epithet, pisifera, is Latin meaning “pea-bearing” and refers to the small rounded cones borne by this plant. Plant in any moist well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It grows in a range of soil types but prefers acidic soil. It grows in the form of a very tight ball when young and is sometimes vulnerable to sun-scald. This very slow-growing evergreen reaches a mature height 2 feet tall and wide after 10 years. The fine almost string-like brilliant gray-green foliage with cream variegation at the tips add texture and accent color in the garden, especially in the winter. 'Cream Ball' is an easy to grow evergreen that can add interest as a specimen or planted in small groups in a rock or crevice garden. Its dwarf size contributes beautifully to small-scale plantings including the middle or front of a border, foundation plantings, or container gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms, root rot, and juniper blight. See Clemson's publication on root rot . VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis pisifera .
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 nicheChamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana'
Native alternativesJuniperus communis var. depressa
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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 texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Gray/Silver; Green; White
Leaf type
Needles
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are gray-green and nearly thread-like with distinctive yellow-green to almost white tips.
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
Not true flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit detail
No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Small Space
Landscape theme
Fairy Garden; Garden for the Blind; Rock Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Accent; Border; Foundation Planting; Small groups; Specimen