| General Description | Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Spiralis’ is a very slow growing, narrow, irregular upright growing selection of Hinoki cypress with distinctive and desirable twisted branches holding shell-like, dark-green sprays of foliage. |
| ID Characteristic | Very dense, finely textured foliage naturally sculpted on spiralling branches that account for the awe factor. ‘Spiralis’ is a narrow irregular upright growing selection of Hinoki cypress with distinctive and desirable twisted branches holding shell-like, dark green sprays of foliage. |
| Shape | Narrow Upright naturally spiralling branches. |
| Landscape | Although species trees are uncommonly planted in the home landscape, a large number of compact and dwarf cultivars have become very popular for use a small accents/specimens, hedges, screens and foundation/rock garden plants. |
| Propagation | Propagation of Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘spiralis’ is generally done by seed, cuttings, or grafting. Seed germination can be difficult and may take several months. Cuttings are usually taken from semi-ripe wood in late summer and can be difficult to root. Grafting is the most common method of propagation and is usually done in late winter. Planting the tree in early spring or early fall in moist well-drained soil in full to partial shade. It is very important to keep the soil moist during the first growing season. Pest and diseases can easily terminate young ‘spiralis’ trees, be mindful to check up regularly. |
| Cultivation | Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in full sun. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Avoid wet, poorly drained soils, and shelter from wind. |
| Pests | Some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot and certain insect pests such as bagworms. Blight can be a problem on young plants, tip blight can infect trees during wet weather, causing sooty pustules. |
| Notable Specimens | Jean Iseli Memorial Garden/Nursery, Boring, Oregon, United States of America. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | ‘Spiralis’ features spreading branches with flattened horizontal branchlets that droop at the ends in thick horizontal spreads. Reddish brown bark will peel on a mature tree. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Buds have scales that are glaucous around the edges. New growth is brown and will turn a green, yellow colour, which will eventually mature and turn green. |
| Leaf Description | Dark green scale-like leaves in two sizes, have white markings beneath. Leaves are in opposite pairs. Juvenile leaves don’t overlap and are shaped more like tiny awls or broad needles rather than scale-like. The more common adult leaves are scale-like, dense, closely appressed, obtuse, of two sizes. The lateral pair is much larger than facial leaves, not glandular, glossy dark green above, light green below and white markings visible. |
| Fruit Description | Small, eight scaled greenish brown (female) to orange, brown (male) cones. Cones short-stalked solitary, globose, about 1cm across. |
| Colour Description | Dark green foliage retains good colour throughout winter. |
| Texture Description | Spiralis Hinoki Cypress is very dense, finely textured foliage, and retains its colour and texture throughout winter. |