What: No garden should be without a dwarf selection of Hinoki cypress — and this is one of the best. Chamaecyparis obtusa “Nana” is a very slow-growing cultivar. Its dark green branchlets twist tightly and flatten into small overlapping fans, forming what look like little green cups. Even old plants rarely reach heights over 2 feet tall. “Nana” and “Nana Gracilis” are often confused in the trade. Both are outstanding conifers and differ mainly in height. Look carefully at nursery plants to evaluate their compactness.
Where: Hinoki cypress will grow best in full sun, but tolerates light to dappled shade. It adapts to a variety of soils, from sandy sites to clay, provided the location is well-drained.
Size: “Nana” grows to be 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature.
Care: Once established, it is very drought tolerant, requiring little to no summer watering even during prolonged droughts. It requires very little pruning. Heavy pruning can ruin its unique appearance. Only prune to remove dead, broken or poorly formed branches.
— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks
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