Great Design Plant: Chamaecyparis Pisifera ‘Curly Tops’

Most gardeners have, deeply buried somewhere in their minds, a list of attributes that their imaginary perfect plant would possess. For me it would be a plant that is versatile and easily grown to a manageable size; has blue foliage, incredible texture, year-round interest and structure; and would grow in partial shade. I thought I was dreaming wishfully until I met Curly Tops sawara cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’), a dwarf sawara cypress. Let me introduce you to this pint-size showstopping workhorse.

Botanical name: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’
Common names: Curly Tops sawara cypress, Curly Tops false cypress
Origin: The Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu
Where will it grow: Hardy to -30 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA zones 4 to 8; find your zone)
Light requirement: Partial shade
Water requirement: Average to moist, well-drained soil
Mature size: Slow growing to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide


Benefits and tolerances: Deer and rabbit resistant; performs well in pots and garden beds; unlike many conifers, prefers partial shade
Seasonal interest: Provides reliable year-round color and structure
When to plant: Spring or fall is preferable


Distinguishing traits. Curly Tops is a dwarf globular form of sawara cypress. It occasionally develops a weak central leader that is easily removed to maintain its signature round shape.

Its soft blue-gray curled foliage has the appearance of a Brillo pad, adding invaluable texture to pots and garden beds.


How to use it. Curly Tops is excellent as a standalone specimen plant yet performs equally well as part of a garden vignette, as shown here. Its unparalleled texture makes it a perfect companion for Autumn Joy stonecrop (Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, zones 3 to 11) and Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum, zones 4 to 9).

Its year-round blue foliage makes it a good choice for pairing with orange or pink foliage, such as that of Orange Rocket or Rose Glow barberry (Berberis thunbergii, zones 4 to 9), Chinese fringe flower (Loropetalum chinense, zones 7 to 9), Crimson Queen Japanese maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum ‘Crimson Queen’, zones 5 to 8) and Ruby Falls redbud (Cercis canadensis ‘Ruby Falls’, zones 6 to 8).

Additionally, Curly Tops makes a stunning addition to a rock garden or a ceramic pot. Its round shape makes it a perfect foil for similarly shaped boulders.

Planting notes. In most climates Curly Tops sawara cypress is best planted in average to moist, well-drained soil where it will receive some afternoon shade. Water it well (1 inch of water per week) until it becomes well established.

More:
Stretch the Budget, Seasons and Style: Add Conifers to Your Containers
Discover more plants with blue and gray foliage

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