Chamaecyparis obtusa 'SAFFRON SPRAY' Hinoki cypress
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
0,5-1,5m
usual width
0,5-1m
leaves
evergreen conifer
colour of leaves
flowers
insignificant or non-blooming
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Description of the plant:
This variety of Hinoki cypress should be on a pedestal in our garden centre as it holds a name very similar to our company name: Saffron Spray. Well, it is nice but just for a name we will not go overboard.It is an evergreen, compact conifer with mid green leaves and random appearance of bright yellow flat sprays as we see on Calocedrus decurrens "Aureovariegata". The rest of the shrub bears tiny, fine needles and these sprays look so different as if they had nothing to do with it, as if they perhaps had fallen on it from the sky. In any way they are a rightful part of the shrub and they can help this shrub find its place among other conifers which it will highlight thanks to its combination of vivid yellow and green colours.
It belongs to obtusa cypress group which predetermines it to be a slow grower which it truly is. In 20 years it will not exceed 1.5 tall and about 1m wide forming an oval to cone-shaped shrub. It likes medium fertile, acidic, moist but well-drained soil. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).
Last update 25-02-2010
