White Pygmy Cypress

Miniature evergreens have a unique and special charm all their own. They deserve special places in a rock garden, and are ideal for growing in pots, troughs and window boxes. Like a collection of jewels, to be admired close-up, they have an almost-human charm, like plant pets. The White Pygmy Sawara Cypress is one of the most special and charming of these plants, growing just 1 or 2 inches a year into a symmetrical mound perhaps 18 inches tall and wide in time. The fine foliage is tipped in white, creating a special silvery look along with the regular blue-green foliage. Dense and tempting to touch, it has a pristine look that is always fascinating, and the experience of seeing it grow slowly but steadily is a lesson in patience and meditation. While an older plant may be large enough to place directly in the garden, we recommend growing it for some years in a pot or trough, where you can admire it close up and give it the extra little TLC it will need to truly thrive.

• Fine, dense foliage tipped in white
• Slow-growing and dense, needing no trimming to keep its perfect form
• An excellent miniature to grow in a pot, trough or window box with other dwarf plants
• Suitable when older for a rock garden or edging a path
• Quite easy to grow with a little patience

Grow the in full sun or partial shade. Too much shade will make it grow more loosely, reducing its charm, while in full sun, especially in warmer zones, there is a danger of scorching. So some experimenting may be needed to find the ideal spot if you are growing it in a pot. It isn’t very particular about soil – anything well-drained is fine, but avoid wet soils, and for pots use a soil blended for trees, not houseplants. Add some coarse grit to houseplant soil if nothing better is available to you, or use a cactus soil with added peat-moss. It is very unlikely to have any pest or disease problems and is generally easy to grow, even for a relative beginner. Other than removing the occasional tip, avoid any trimming or pruning – it isn’t needed at all.