Cryptomeria japonica 'ARAUCAROIDES' Japanese cedar

Japanese cedar is a species that consists of so many disparate varieties, often so different from the species that you doubt whether the plant is still a Japanese cedar at all. This variety proves the point.

Araucaroides is a picturesque and yet bizarre looking Japanese cedar with long, upright, unbranched twigs that look like woven ropes. They only branch out at the tips leaving the whole lengths smooth as snakes on a diet. The needles are curved, inward-pointing, bright green as they emerge and emerald green in all seasons apart from winter when they turn purplish or bronze. The name was chosen well since this plant does resemble araucaria (monkey puzzle tree) when young. It was found already in 1859.

It grows moderately into a widely conical, irregular shape, and needs quite some time to start looking dense and stately. For years it remains thin and airy. It will grow in almost any well-drained soil, but for best results grow it in fertile, deep, always moist soil. It requires no maintenance, pruning is not necessary but can be trimmed in early spring after all frosts. It is hardy to about -27°C without protection (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 30-01-2013