Skip to content

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana

Lawson's cypress

Common names: Lawson's cypress tree

Lawson's cypress

Photo: jonleebotany · CC0 · Source

This description was machine-translated.

Description

The Lawson's cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is an evergreen coniferous shrub prized in gardens for its dense hedge form. It has scale‑like, tightly appressed needles and can grow in conical to columnar shapes depending on the cultivar. Color varieties range from deep dark green to blue‑green and gold‑yellow, such as the ‘Ellwoodii’ cultivar. The plant prefers a moist, well‑drained soil and does not tolerate drought or waterlogging well. All parts contain essential oils that can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested; keep children and pets away from the foliage.

Care instructions

Water the Lawson's cypress regularly during its first year to keep the shallow roots from drying out. For hedge maintenance, prune twice a year, mid‑May (week 20) and late August (week 35), cutting only into the green new growth, as old wood rarely regrows. Apply a layer of bark humus mulch to keep the soil moist in summer and slightly warmer in winter. Avoid waterlogging by ensuring a well‑drained substrate.

Soil & site

Soil pH

4.0pH 5–78.0

Soil type

well-drained, humus-rich, moist, sandy, lime-avoiding

LightFull sun
Hours of sunat least 4 h a day
HardinessHardy

Feeding

Light feeder

Months

Apr

Pruning

MonthsMar–Apr
SeasonSpring
Pruning typeMaintenance pruning

Propagation

Methods

  • Cuttings
  • Grafting

For signed-in gardeners

Sign in to see symptoms, severity, season and prevention for every one of your plants.

Sign in

Free account, set up in 30 seconds.

Notes from real gardens

What other gardeners have written down about this variety, anonymous and voluntary.

No notes shared yet. Will you be the first to write one down?

If you want to write your own notes, sign in or create an account.