Woody > Chamaecyparis > Chamaecyparis obtusa > Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Spiralis'
Chamaecyparis obtusa
'Spiralis'
Origin: This cultivar originated as a seedling introduced in 1930 by W. H. Rogers & Sons Nursery, Chandler Ford, United Kingdom. It was one of many distinctive dwarf Hinoki seedlings selected in early 1900s by George Gardiner, who at the time was nursery manager at Rogers & Sons.
| Family |
| Cupressaceae |
| Genus |
| Chamaecyparis |
| Species |
| obtusa |
| Cultivar |
| 'Spiralis' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 5b - 8b |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 6a - 8n |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H4 - H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-28) - (-23) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-15) - 25 |
| Height |
| 1.25 m |
| Spread |
| 0.9 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Shape |
| Narrow Upright naturally spiralling branches. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Jean Iseli Memorial Garden/Nursery, Boring, Oregon, United States of America. |
| 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. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Spiralis Hinoki Cypress was cultivated to be a smaller version of the Hinoki Cypress. Many people liked the look of Hinoki Cypress but didn’t have the space for an evergreen that’s mature size is 50ft in height and 10ft in width. |
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