Rasen Sugi Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Rasen Sugi’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer

Height at Maturity: 25’+

Width at Maturity: 5-6′

Spacing: 10-12’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Pyramidal, Columnar

Growth Rate: Slow – 1 foot per year

Flower Color: None

Flower Size: NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: NA

Foliage Color: Blue-Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Very low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist, Well Drained Dry, Not Constantly Soggy!

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 ( Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect

Description

One of if not the most unique and interesting coniferous evergreen trees in existence and sure to capture anyone’s attention, the Rasen Sugi Cryptomeria is a slow-growing (1 foot per year) upright Japanese cedar with foliage that looks like it might be from another planet! The short, curled, blue green needles create the illusion of braided green wire spiraling around the branches. No two trees look alike, which means your neighbor could never find one that looks exactly like yours! A must have for the conifer enthusiast, or folks that just like unusual and attractive oddities, this amazing evergreen tree deserves a spot as a focal point specimen in every garden where it will grow (USDA Zones 6a-9b).

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 25 or more feet tall and 6 feet wide at maturity, the Rasen Sugi Cryptomeria is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or in groupings in sunny landscape borders or to frame corners, accentuate entryways or as espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. Also nice as a solo or mixed with trailing plants in container gardens. A fine addition to the conifer garden.

Spacing Recommendations: 12 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Cryptomeria is very easy to grow and virtually no maintenance. It is adaptable to many soil types preferring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. As with many other ornamental trees it does not like a constantly soggy or wet soil, nor an always dry one, though trees have good drought tolerance when well established. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best performance. Feed in spring with a well-balanced shrub and tree food that contains iron. No pruning will be necessary.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Cryptomeria.

How To Plant And Care For Cryptomeria Trees

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