Chamaecyparis lawsoniana snow white outdoor planting and care

Lawson's cypress Snow White is translated as Snow White, this cypress variety is bred in Oregon. It got its name due to the unusualness of its crown. In recent years, this small, slowly growing tree attracts more and more precisely by the unusualness and beauty of the needles. The main color of the needles of this plant has different shades - from the color of green peas to a bluish tint, and in springtime and at the end of summer, its tips become creamy white, as if sprinkled with golden dust. Seeing such luxurious needles, no gardener can resist. But the question immediately arises: how to take care of it so that the tree pleases the eye with its beauty?

Description of the variety

The cypress is columnar and is more of a dense, evergreen shrub than a tree. Its height is no more than 2-3 meters. Skeletal branches are thick, with numerous branches that form an acute angle with the main stem. Branches are short, thin, with brownish-green bark, pleasant to touch. Its shoots are straight, slightly drooping.

This type of conifers is considered the slowest growing among the plants of this family, therefore it is often considered dwarf.

The needles of the perennial are multi-colored, in spring and autumn they have a golden border, and the young needles are bright green. All this makes the plant unusually elegant and special. The plant has ovoid or spherical cones. There are seeds inside the cones, but they are not usually used for propagation.

Temperature regime

Snow White belongs to medium-loving plants. In the summer, for the normal development of this type of cypress, a constant temperature regime is needed. It should be remembered that when growing Lawson Snow White indoors, it should not be located next to heating equipment. If you do otherwise, it will lead to the fact that the colors of the crown will fade and become unattractive.

The plant is frost-resistant and can withstand temperatures down to -30 ° C. Therefore, it can be grown on terraces, patios and even balconies. But when grown in open places, the cypress must be covered in the first years for the winter period, and it is better to maintain the temperature at about 7 ° -10 ° C.

Attitude to light

The plant prefers sunlit places, but it can grow in partial shade. However, an interesting fact is that the cypress of this variety has needles, the shades of which depend on the saturation of light. In places with different illumination, it has a different color of the needles, but in case of a lack of light, the shape of the crown of the ephedra becomes unpleasant in appearance and irregular in shape.

Features of outdoor cultivation

The tree grows in any soil, but prefers to grow on moist, slightly acidic soil. But you still need to plant it on fertile soil with moderate moisture. Only with such moisture does the cypress do not like moisture stagnation. The soil where Snow White grows must be well drained. Only the dryness of the soil, he also does not tolerate very well.

If the soil at the planting site is heavy, a mixture of sand with humus, leafy soil and sod, taken equally, is poured into the planting pit.

When grown outdoors, this plant is not a big deal. The basis of care is abundant and frequent watering and spraying, especially in dry summer weather.

The plant loves well ventilated places. That is, poorly ventilated areas are not suitable for growing Snow White.

In the spring, the plant is pruned, the weeds are weeded in a timely manner during the summer and periodically fed. Dry twigs from the tree must be cut off. If the plant forms a crown, then pruning must be done carefully. Only a third of all leaves are cut off. If its bark is cracked, it is smeared with pitch. So that young cypress trees do not die, their plantings for the winter must be covered. Watering is not required in this case.

Room care

Snow White is sensitive to a dry atmosphere, so when you turn on the central heating, you need to spray it regularly or place the pot in a flower pot with expanded clay and poured water.

If the plant is indoors in winter at a temperature of about 8 ° C, watering is sufficient once every 8-10 days.

During watering, it is preferable to use the rule: it is better not to top up than to overflow, because in the case of excess moisture, the roots of the ephedra can rot, and this can lead to the death of the entire plant. If the plant starts to rot. It must be transplanted into a new pot, having previously disinfected the root system, treated with root growth stimulants.

In the event of a lack of illumination, the tree stretches out and may lose its shape. However, he also dislikes an excess of direct sunlight, therefore, when placed on the west or south side, a little shading is needed.

Breeding varieties

If other varieties of conifers can be propagated by seeds or cuttings, this variety is propagated vegetatively. Moreover, the cuttings are lignified, which are not cut from the stems. They are cut off together with the so-called "heel" and planted in boxes with sand. Seedlings are placed in a greenhouse or in a cool, but sufficiently lit place. In order for the cuttings to take root better, they are treated with a growth stimulant, although this is not necessary.

Propagation by seed or green cuttings of this variety is rarely practiced, but still possible. This is done as in other species of these plants. Although the germination rate with this method of breeding Snow White is very low.

Top dressing

The cypress is fed during the period of growth activity. For this, liquid organic fertilizers are used. Before applying them, it is necessary to slightly loosen the soil, and then pour it with a fertilizer solution. This should be done weekly during the period of activity of the tree, and it does not matter in what conditions it grows: in a room or on the street.

In winter, it is necessary to replace liquid fertilizers with mineral fertilizers. And feeding should be done less often, about every month. A lack of fertilizers, as well as a strong excess of them, can lead to plant disease, growth disorders, and yellowing of the needles. Excess, for example, calcium in the soil entails not only yellowing of the foliage, but also their fall.

Transfer

Since cypress trees root poorly due to a weak root system, they are transplanted no more often than once every 2 years in spring. And then, it is better not to transplant, but to transfer it together with part of the earth to another pot.

Diseases

• Cypress of this variety, when grown at home, can infect spider mites. They "visit" plants in case of lack of moisture.
• In addition to the spider mite, the plant often affects the scale insect. She can destroy the plant in a matter of weeks.
• Wood lice and red ground mites may appear in the dry soil of the pot.

All pests are removed using special insecticides or chemicals.

• Excess and stagnation of water in the soil can cause root rot. If this happens, the diseased cypress must be transplanted into another pot or another place in the garden.
• If sanitary standards are not observed when pruning the crown, the cypress can infect fungal infections.
• If the leaves on the tree turn yellow, this may be due to a lack of moisture in the air or soil, as well as when watering with high hardness water.
• A plant grown in a room, getting into a strip of cold air, or for some time in contact with cold glass, gets burned. Its needles will turn brown and will fall off in the place of the burn with frost.

Where is used

1. Gardeners recommend such varieties of cypress trees to be planted on rocky areas in groups or singly, as well as on alpine hills.
2. Snow White is also used to decorate hedges. And in this case they turn out to be especially beautiful. These hedges can frame flower beds or paths.
3. It is planted most often in rockeries or Japanese stone gardens, as well as in those compositions where the ephedra fit most organically. The multi-colored needles on the tree look very picturesque in a variety of design variations.
4. It often, with success, replaces the New Year tree. Its elegant twigs are even more popular with lovers of New Year's natural trees.

Its main advantage when used in flower gardens is its very slow development and growth, as well as the compactness of an adult plant.

Purchase

It is important not to run into fake seedlings when purchasing this variety. Often, to add elegance to the plant, when it is sold, the needles are tinted with special paint, and often they do it with another variety of cypress and are passed off as Snow White - you should not buy such a cypress!

Rate this article 〉〉〉〉〉

(voted:

, grade:

out of 5)

Share this:

Read more on our website:

Lawson's cypress Snow White is a short shrub, 1-1.2 meters high and 60-70 cm in diameter.

The skeletal branches of the bush are thick, with numerous branches. As they grow, they form an acute angle with a central shoot.

The crown is broadly oval or oval, very dense. The color of the needles is colored differently. The uppermost and youngest needles are bright green, the central part is colored greenish-blue, with a silvery tint, which becomes more pronounced closer to the base of the bush.

The Snow White cypress has recently received increased attention from plant lovers. This is primarily due to the fact that it can be grown equally successfully both in the garden and in the apartment. The only difficulty when growing indoors is the need for a cool winter, which can be problematic to organize in an ordinary apartment.

Let's take a closer look at both options for growing Snow White Lawson Cypress.

Outdoor cultivation

When grown in the garden, this cypress tree is not a hassle. It is planted mainly in rockeries, Japanese gardens and on alpine hills, that is, in those compositions in which conifers will organically fit. Its main advantage for use in flower beds of this type is a relatively small annual growth (5-6 cm) and compact size of an adult plant.

You can also get a pretty hedge from Snow White Cypress that can frame a flower garden or path.

Cypress prefers sunny places, but can put up with a little shade. Depending on the lighting, the color of the needles will change - in the sun it is lighter, and in the shade it becomes darker and brighter.

If the land on the site is very heavy, then it is better to fill the planting hole with a soil mixture of sand, humus, leafy earth and sod land, taken in a ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1.

Winter hardiness of the Snow White variety is quite good, but in the first winter after planting it is better to cover it.

Growing indoors.

As mentioned above, for a successful wintering, the Cypress needs coolness, the optimum temperature is +8 degrees. In summer, the temperature should be between 24-26 degrees, it is best to keep the Cypress on a balcony or loggia in summer.

Snow White cypress is very sensitive to dry air, so when the central heating is on, it needs regular spraying or you can place the pot in a claydite tray filled with water.

When watering, it is better to be guided by the rule - it is better to underfill than to overfill, because with excessive moisture, the roots of this coniferous plant begin to rot, which can lead to its death.

The cypress is a rather light-loving plant, with a lack of light, it stretches and loses its shape, but it also does not like direct sunlight, therefore, light shading should be provided on the western and southern windows.

Reproduction

Vegetative propagation, lignified cuttings. The cuttings are not cut, but cut off together with the "heel" and are planted in containers with sand, which are placed in a greenhouse. For better survival, cuttings can be treated with growth stimulants.

Lawson's Cypress Snow White (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Snow White) belongs to the Cypress family and is a wonder of selection.

Recently, more and more often, this coniferous tree is gaining the attention of indoor florists and gardeners, because Lawson's cypress can be successfully grown both in the open field and in indoor conditions. The only drawback of room content is that the Lawson cypress tree needs a lower temperature in winter, which is not always possible to create in an ordinary apartment. And also it should be borne in mind that the Snow White cypress eventually grows into a rather tall tree (2-3 m in height), and not every room is able to accommodate such a plant size.

Growing Snow White Lawson cypress in indoor conditions

For comfortable maintenance, this tree should create the necessary conditions: the temperature in summer is 24-26 C, and it is advisable to take the plant out into the open air in the summer. In winter, the temperature should not rise + 8C. This plant does not tolerate dry air of heating devices, therefore, placing it in a pan with water or frequent spraying in winter is desirable. Drafts and overflows are also contraindicated for this coniferous tree. Stagnation in the soil leads to root rot, and drafts lead to yellowing of the needles. In order to avoid drafts, it is advisable not to open the vents in winter and install Profil Doors interior doors.

Lawson's cypress grows well in bright sunlight, but shaded from direct sunlight. With a lack of sunlight, Lawson's cypress stretches and takes on an unattractive shape. In winter, it is advisable to add artificial lighting to this plant.

Frequent spraying of the cypress tree is recommended in summer, and lowering the temperature in winter. If such conditions cannot be created, then the cypress grows poorly young shoots next spring. For cypress, it is recommended to make up a loose, air-permeable soil with mandatory drainage. It reproduces by woody cuttings in spring and summer. For rooting, cuttings should be plucked with a heel, dipped in a root growth stimulator and planted in the sand. For early root formation, it is recommended to place a container with cuttings in a greenhouse.

Growing Snow White Lawson cypress in the open field

There are no difficulties here at all. This plant grows well outdoors, even better than indoors. Since Lawson's cypress is considered a slow-growing tree, it can be successfully grown on alpine slides, in a rocky garden, heather and Japanese garden, as well as grown on the slopes of sites and as a hedge. The soil when planting is made up of a special: 1 part of leafy land, 1 part of sand, 1 part of humus, 1 part of sod land. All this is mixed and the gaps between the roots wake up when planting. It is advisable to plant this coniferous plant in sunny places, monitor soil moisture and wrap it with covering material in the first year after planting.

Coniferous crops have long been used to decorate garden plots, winter gardens and even premises. One of the popular crops is the cypress tree and its popular species, the Lawsonian (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana).

Dimensions (edit)

Lawson's cypress is a short tree, the height of which does not exceed 3.5 meters. It has a compact crown with a diameter of no more than 120 cm. The crown has the shape of a cone. The color of the needles is green with a bluish tint. The species has a slow annual growth, which does not exceed 5 cm. The branches of the plant grow upward.

The title photo shows Lawson's cypress, 'Globus' cultivar.

The difference between cypress and cypress is that this culture is considered more frost-resistant. There are also differences in the appearance of the crops: the cypress has flat branches, and there are also small cones that contain two seeds under each scale.

Lawson's cypress is native to North America. This tree is considered the most beautiful of all cypress varieties.

Varieties

This type of cypress has the largest variety of varietal varieties.

Elwoodi (C. L. Ellwoodii) - This is one of the most common varieties. It is a short tree with a compact cone-shaped crown. Shoots are directed vertically upwards. They are covered with thin blue-green scales. During the autumn-winter period, the needles are distinguished by a steel shade. The maximum height of an adult specimen is 3 meters. The variety is resistant to frost, but requires shelter for the winter, does not like winds. Great in flower gardens in the background, goes well with roses, and is also grown in large flowerpots.

Elwoody

Ellwoodii Empire - low culture. An adult plant can be up to 3 meters high. The crown is conical, compact. Shoots grow vertically upward. The color of the needles is green with a blue tint. The variety is resistant to frost, pests and diseases. The variety is good in the background in flower beds, in group plantings, in rock gardens. Also, the variety is often used to form hedges.

Elwoody Empire

Elwoodi Pilar (C. L. Ellwoodii Pillar) Is an unpretentious low culture. The maximum height of an adult specimen is 2.5 meters. The crown is conical, lends itself well to formative pruning. The needles are green with a bluish tint. Young shoots are bluish in color. The buds are small and bluish in color. The variety winters well, has a high resistance to pests. It is used for growing in flower beds, in mixed compositions and for decorating hedges.

Elwoody Pilar

Minima Glauca (C. L. Minima Glauca) - This is a low plant with a crown that has a spherical shape. Grows up to 2 meters. The crown diameter also does not exceed 2 meters. The crown is compact and dense. The needles are represented by green scales with a bluish tint. Annual growth is no more than 10 cm. This is a frost-resistant, light-loving variety. It is often used for planting in the background of flower beds, used in mixed plantings and for creating hedges.

Minima Glauka

Yvonne (C. L. Ivonne) Is a popular varietal variety with a yellow crown. An adult plant reaches a height of no more than 3 meters. The branches grow vertically upward. The needles are represented by scales that are yellow or golden in color. With the onset of winter, the color of the needles does not change. Cones are small pink or yellow. The brown bark of the trunk has a reddish tint. It is a light-requiring frost-resistant variety. In winters with little snow, it can freeze slightly, while the color of the needles changes to orange. It is used for the formation of hedges, also used in mixed compositions.

Yvonne

Columnaris (C. L. Columnaris) Is a decorative culture. The tree can grow up to 10 meters. A 10-year-old specimen has a height of about 3 meters. In a year, the shrub adds about 20 cm in height. The crown of the tree is narrow and has a columnar shape. The shoots are directed upwards, the needles are represented by scales. The scales are colored blue-gray. It is a frost-resistant, light-requiring variety. Scope of application in landscape design: single and group plantings, decoration of hedges.

Columnaris

C. L. White Spot - decorative low tree. The height of a ten-year-old tree does not exceed 2 meters. It grows slowly, in a year it grows no more than 15 cm in height. The branches are thin, characterized by strong branching. They are covered with thin green scales with a bluish tint. Young shoots are highlighted in white, becoming green closer to winter. Cones have a spherical crown and a reddish tint. Perfect for dense hedges and mixed plantings.

White Spot

Pelts Blue (C. L. Pelt`s Blue) Is a spectacular ornamental shrub. The height of an adult specimen is about 3 meters. The shape of the crown is columnar, the shoots grow vertically upward. This is a blue varietal variety of cypress. The needles are represented by scales that have a deep blue color. The variety tolerates winters well, prefers open places. Suitable for single and group plantings, used for the formation of hedges.

Aluminum (C. L. Alumii) Is an ornamental coniferous culture. Its height can reach 15 meters. Young specimens are distinguished by a dense columnar crown, while adults are narrow, in the form of a cone. Shoots are dense, strongly expanding, growing vertically upward. The needles are thick and soft. The color of the needles is bluish. Closer to winter, it becomes gray with a blue tint. The variety prefers well-lit areas, is resistant to frost and pests. Aluminum can be used for planting in mixed compositions, single plantings, as well as for the formation of hedges.

Aluminum

Elwoodi Gold Pillar (C. L. Ellwoodii Golp Pillar) Is a low decorative culture. Usually the height does not exceed 1 meter. The diameter of the conical or spherical crown is about 1 meter. It grows rather slowly. The needles are represented by soft green scales with a slight yellow tint. The variety is used for planting in rock gardens, in large flowerpots and in group plantings.

Elwoody Gold Pillar

Cream Glau (C. L. Cream Glow) - an attractive varietal variety. Height - no more than 2 meters. The diameter of the pyramidal crown is about 1 meter. The branches are dense, growing vertically upward. The color of the scaly needles is green with a golden sheen. The variety looks spectacular in mixed plantings next to dark green crops. The plant prefers the sun, it is resistant to frost.

Cream Glau

Stardust (C. L. Statdust) Is a coniferous culture. The maximum height is 10 meters. The crown is loose, it is a wide cone or pyramid. Diameter - up to 4 meters. The branches are dense, strongly expanding. Annual growth is about 25 cm in height. The needles are represented by soft and dense green-yellow scales. In the shade, the needles take on a rich green color with a slight golden tint. The scope of application in landscape design is wide: group and single plantings, mixed landscape compositions, hedges.

Stardust

Alumigold (C. L. Alumigold) - decorative compact variety, its height is no more than 3 meters. The crown is represented by thin branches that grow densely and densely. They are covered with small golden scales. Subsequently, the needles become green-yellow. The crown is narrow, cone-shaped. The variety is characterized by fast growth - up to 25 cm per year. This is a frost-resistant variety, however, in winters that are too cold and with little snow, the shrub can freeze slightly, while the color turns orange.

Alumigold

Golden Wonder (C. L. Golden Wonder) Is a short, slender tree. The height of a ten-year-old specimen does not exceed 2 meters. Differs in a compact, conical crown. Branches are dense, strongly branched. The needles have a golden yellow color, represented by dense scales. With the onset of winter, the needles retain their color. Suitable for planting in multi-contrast compositions, as well as for the formation of hedges.

Golden Wonder

Blue Surprise (C. L. Blue Surprise) - a spectacular blue variety of Lawson's cypress. Height - up to 3.5 meters. The dense pyramidal crown has a diameter of no more than 1.5 meters. Shoots grow vertically upward. Scaly needles are distinguished by a deep blue color with a silvery sheen. The variety is resistant to frost. Ideal for mixed plantings and hedges.

Blue Surprise

Snow White (C. L. Snow white) Is a decorative dwarf varietal species. Its height does not exceed 120 cm. The crown has a diameter of about 60 cm. The crown has the shape of an oval or a wide oval. The color of the needles is green-blue with a silvery sheen. Young growth is bright green. Annual growth is no more than 6 cm in height. The variety is suitable for growing in rock gardens, rocky gardens, as well as in containers.

Snow White

Globoza (C. L. Globoza) - This is a dwarf varietal variety of culture.The height of the shrub is no more than 1.5 meters. The diameter of the crown is up to 60 cm. The crown has a spherical shape. Branches are short, strongly branched. The color of the scaly needles is light green. This variety prefers to grow in sunny areas. Suitable for curb shaping and also looks good in mixed plantings.

Globoza

Lane (C. L. Lane) - a variety of Lawson cypress. The maximum tree height is 8 meters. The crown is narrow, columnar. Shoots are thin, branching densely. The needles are represented by scales that have a golden-greenish color. The variety prefers the sun, tolerates winter well. Good in single and group plantings, and also suitable for the formation of hedges.

Lane

Landing

In order for the cultivation of a crop to be successful, you need to choose the right site for planting a tree. Cypress prefers to grow in well-lit, sunny places, or in partial shade... At the same time, the site must be protected from drafts and winds.

Important!Shrubs with yellow needles are best planted in sunny areas, and with green and blue needles in partial shade.

Cypress loves high air humidity, and therefore the ideal option would be planting near a reservoir.

The culture prefers fertile soil, with the addition of a significant amount of peat. It will also not be superfluous to add humus and sand. The soil must be water-permeable, since stagnant moisture is fraught with root rot.

Care

The culture needs regular and abundant watering. In normal, not too hot weather, pour out for one plant, one bucket of water once a week... In hot weather, you will need to increase the number of waterings up to 2 times a week. In addition, in extreme heat, it is recommended to spray the plant.

The soil around the plant must be loosened regularly and weeds must be removed. Mulching of the soil is desirable. Peat or wood chips are suitable as mulch.

Cypress tolerates pruning, including shaping... It is advisable to prune the shrub two years after planting. Pruning is necessary in the spring. At the same time, old, dried branches are also removed. Pruning stimulates the growth of new shoots and also gives the plant a decorative appearance.

Difficulties and problems of growing

Very often there are situations when the cypress of Lawson Elwoodi dries up or withers. What to do? The plant can still be saved, albeit extremely problematic. This usually happens when grown at home.

The main reasons are dry air in the room, too high temperatures. Unfortunately, it is not always possible and not for everyone to grow a beautiful and healthy cypress tree in indoor conditions. Therefore, in such situations, it is necessary to increase the humidity of the air, to provide the plant with regular spraying and watering. At home, the plant winters well at fairly low (about 10-15 degrees) temperatures. The cypress cannot stand the heat.

If Lawson's cypress turned yellow after winter, then probably the culture received a spring burn, this is very common.

Biostimulants, for example, Epin, will also help.

Root system decay is also likely, so you may have to get the plant out of the soil and examine the root system for rot.

A gardener under the nickname Mountelf on one of the forums claims that the possibility of burning out in the spring sun of the cypress Lawson Elwoodi is more likely than its freezing in winter.

Wintering

When growing a plant in central Russia or in the northern regions of the cypress preferably sheltered for the winter... Spruce branches can be used as a shelter.

Despite the good winter hardiness of the varieties, it should be remembered that Lawson's cypress itself can withstand temperatures down to -29 degrees and not lower.

So, a gardener from central Russia, at one of the horticultural forums under the nickname Margola, claims that the probability of freezing a plant in winter is very high, despite some positive growing experiences. First, it is necessary to cover the plants with snow and cover them with spruce branches. In addition, the plant must be protected from cold winds, otherwise the death of the culture is inevitable. In any case, the culture will grow better in the garden than at home.

Application in landscape design

Lawson's cypress is used for single and group plantings.Looks very good on the background in flower beds. It can be used in multi-contrast compositions.

But more often the cypress is used for creating high and low hedges, for decorating alleys (especially dwarf varieties).

Cypress can be grown next to artificial and natural reservoirs in the garden area, and can also be used to decorate rock gardens, rocky and Japanese gardens.

A hedge of cypress trees of different colors.

Cypress Stardust looks very impressive in flower beds with mixed plantings with flower and shrub crops.

Lawson's cypress on a trunk.

Where can I buy

You can buy seedlings in a hypermarket, gardening stores, and nurseries. It is best to purchase seedlings from nurseries. Some people prefer to order through online stores.

Variety	Where can I buy	Price
Elwoody	Hypermarket OBI	349 rubles
Elwoody Empair	Landscape Bureau "Svoya Usadba"	450 rubles
Yvonne	Kennel "Besedinsky" (Kursk)	400 rubles
Globoza	Agrofirm "Flos" (Moscow region, delivery across Russia)	295 rubles
Blue Surprise	Agrofirm "Selena"	390 rubles

Plant overview on video

Material prepared by "Greensad Garden Center (Greensad)"