Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’

Hinoki Cypress 'Nana Lutea'
Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Lutea’

Sophisticated plants with a calming presence • One of the 5 sacred trees of Japan - in a mini-shrub form.

RARE. Revered plants from Japan, with graceful, elegant swirls of fan-shaped foliage edged with vibrant gold. Compact and slow-growing, these gorgeous evergreen conifers have an unusual, sculptural form developing into an upright broad habit as they age. 

Hinoki Cypress are commonly used in Asian gardens. Ideal in containers, they are also beautiful foundation and accent plants.

Long lived, the oldest Hinoki Cypress lived for 1100 years. Traditionally, they symbolize longevity, purity, and spirituality. Chamaecyparis obtusa is listed as one of the 5 sacred trees of Japan.

The fragrant wood is highly rot resistant, resists splitting, and has a fine, straight grain. In Japan, these sacred trees have been used to build temples, palaces, for incense sticks, and more. Well-constructed buildings made of Chamaecyparis obtusa can last over 1000 years.

The essential oil that makes the wood of Chamaecyparis obtusa so fragrant is thought to be one of the reasons that Forest Bathing is so beneficial for human health (Li, Kobayashi, et al. 2009). Japanese Forest Bathing, while not an ancient practice, traditionally takes place in forests full of Hinoki Cypress.

There are many wonderful cultivars of Hinoki Cypress. 'Nana Lutea' was discovered in 1966, growing as a sport on 'Nana Gracilis' by Jan Spek of Boskoop, Netherlands. 'Nana Lutea' brings incredible gold-tinged foliage and a very slow growth rate - bringing them to a shrub size - making them ideal for smaller landscapes.

These plants are lovely additions to the garden, and make thoughtful gifts.

Growing Notes:

• Well behaved & low maintenance: on average, they grow 3-5" per year.
• They will be happiest when protected from desiccating winter winds.
• These plants have some resistance to deer.
• Hardy to Zone 5 (-20F).
• Full sun to partial shade. When these plants are young, they do best with lightly filtered light.
• 4-6'T x 3’W.

Plant Nerd:

• Chamaecyparis obtusa was once widespread across Asia and into Europe, back when North America was covered in massive strange creatures, such as a huge cousin of the ever-ravenous honey badger, and massive pig-hippos. Now the wild plants are primarily found in central Japan, where they are endangered due to overharvesting. 
• Fortunately, gardeners and the horticultural industry have fallen in love with these enchanting plants. As long as we all keep planting these little beauties from the Miocene, they will survive.