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Dwarf Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria japonica (krip-toh-MER-ee-uh juh-PON-ih-kuh)

Family: Cupressaceae Non-native Shrub (3-15 ft)

‘Globosa Nana’ Japanese cedar is a slow-growing, woody, needled evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). Originally described and named in 1923, it was believed to have come through Europe from Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek krypto , meaning to hide, and meris , referencing the concealed position of its reproductive organs. This evergreen shrub performs best in full sun to partial shade with moist and well-drained soil of any texture and pH. Its naturally rounded habit needs no maintenance to keep its attractive form. Its mature height is 2 to 4 feet with a width of 3 to 4 feet. The shrub is resistant to deer, drought, dry soil, heat and salt. Propagate by stem cutting. It is an extremely old cultivar. The dwarf dome form of 'Globosa Nana' is grown for its attractive foliage. Its bluish-green, awl-shaped needles become rusty-red during the winter months, making this specimen a great addition to your winter garden. This plant works well in containers and bordering patios, lawns and walkways. It is suited for Asian, cottage, fairy, rock, shade, winter and drought tolerant gardens. It can be used as a specimen, border, foundation plant, or in mass plantings or small groups. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems : No significant problems. More information on Cryptomeria japonica .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 55 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); 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 Cedrus deodara 'Devinely Blue' Cryptomeria japonica 'Magic Dragon' Schizachyrium scoparium

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 9a, 9b
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); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Dense; Rounded
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Whorled
Leaf shape
Acicular
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Bluish-green needles becoming rusty-red during the winter months.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Male (pollen) cones are in clusters near the apex of branches and are oblong and scaly. Female (seed) cones are round, brown, rosette looking on terminal branches singly or in groups.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Red/Burgundy
Bark detail
Reddish-brown, showy exfoliating bark.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Branches are whorled and horizontally spreading to slightly drooping. Branchlets are green the first year. Winter buds are small and non-scaly.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Japan
Play value
Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine

Uses (ethnobotany)

Specimen

Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Patio; Walkways
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Fairy Garden; Rock Garden; Shade Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Mass Planting; Small groups; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #shrub #conifer #compact #low maintenance #drought tolerant #deer resistant #disease resistant #dwarf #insect resistant #winter interest #year-round interest #heat tolerant #dry soils tolerant #fairy garden
Problems & Resistance
Resistant to
Deer; Diseases; Drought; Dry Soil; Heat; Insect Pests; Salt
Propagation
Stem Cutting

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.

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