Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

• BOTANICAL NAME: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
• PRONUNCIATION: kam-uh-SIP-uh-ris law-Sohn-e-ana
• COMMON NAME: Lawson Falsecypress
• FAMILY: Cupressaceae
• NATIVITY: Southern Oregon to northern California.
• GROWTH HABIT: Pyramidal tree.
• SIZE: Varies widely depending on cultivar. The species will grow to 180' in native stands, but only 40 - 60 feet in cultivation. The cultivars range from 3' and up.
• HARDINESS: Zone 5 - 7.
• CULTURE: Sun, with cool, moist atmosphere and root conditions. Does not grow as well as other falsecypress in the Delaware Valley.
• LANDSCAPE USE: The species can be an impressive specimen or alle tree. The cultivars work well in larger rock gardens and where other dwarf conifers would be used.
• FOLIAGE: Opposite, approximately 1/4" long. The lateral pair of scalelike leaves
  larger than the facial pair. Leaves typically with oil glands. Branchlets flattened,
  typically with a blue cast to the foliage.
• BARK: Silvery brown to reddish brown, deeply ridged and furrowed.
• FRUIT: Cones, 1/3" and globose, 8 peltate scales.
• PROPAGATION: Seed, cutting, graft.
• PESTS: Root rot can be severe.
• CULTIVARS:
  • `Alumii' - columnar, blue foliage to 25'.
  • `Columnaris' - tight columnar habit, 15 - 20'.
  • `Oregon Blue' - broad, columnar, with blue foliage.
  • `Pembury Blue' - conical 25' (?), best blue (?).
  • `Stewartii' - conical to 30', golden yellow foliage.
  • `Winston Churchill' - conical, golden yellow foliage.