Types of Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria makes up the genus of both conical and evergreen trees that hail from the forests of China and Japan. Oftentimes, cryptomeria trees have a conical growth habit and red to brown bark that create a striking display. They grow best in well-drained, deep soil that is moist but tolerate a wide range of soil types. Cryptomeria makes for ideal screening and specimen trees because of their year-round and dense foliage.
Taiwan Cryptomeria
The evergreen Taiwan cryptomeria (Taiwania cryptomerioides) has a medium texture and moderate growth rate. It has a conical crown with outspreading branches and grows 25 to 50 feet tall, creating a commanding landscape presence. The blue to green, ½-inch needles on Taiwan cryptomeria are triangular in shape and the cones grow ½ inch wide. Taiwan cryptomeria grows best in full sun and deep, well-drained soil. Plant Taiwan Cryptomeria in USDA Hardiness Zone 9.
- Cryptomeria makes up the genus of both conical and evergreen trees that hail from the forests of China and Japan.
- Oftentimes, cryptomeria trees have a conical growth habit and red to brown bark that create a striking display.
Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’
Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-sugi’) is a conical evergreen tree that grows best in USDA zones 6 to 9. It grows over 30 feet tall and has a spread of 15 to 30 feet wide. Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ has a clumping growth habit and open branch structure with gracefully shaped branches that are more pendant than most cryptomeria species. (See References 2) The spring-emerging foliage on cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ starts off as a pale shade of yellow with a herringbone pattern to turn deep green as the needles age by summer. The crinkled brown, fall-emerging, dangling cones suspend from the ends of each branch and are followed by new cones in winter. Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ grows best in full sun to part shade and deep soils that are slightly acidic. They require protection from high winds.
- Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan-sugi’) is a conical evergreen tree that grows best in USDA zones 6 to 9.
- Cryptomeria ‘Sekkan-sugi’ has a clumping growth habit and open branch structure with gracefully shaped branches that are more pendant than most cryptomeria species.
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Cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’
Cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’ is an evergreen tree that grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9. It grows up to 12 feet tall and has a spread of 6 feet, creating an accent plant within the garden. Cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’ has an irregular pyramidal-growth habit that is compact. The branchlets on cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’ hold the dark green needles. As an evergreen, Cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’ retains its foliage and color all year-round providing a burst of warmth to the landscape. Cryptomeria ‘Black Dragon’ grows best in full sun and well-drained soil.
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Writer Bio
Callie Barber has been writing professionally since 2002. Barber's love for design and writing inspired her to create Design Your Revolution, a blog that shares creative and affordable ways to decorate indoor and outdoor living environments. Her articles have appeared on Travels.com and GardenGuides.com. Barber holds a Bachelors of Arts in international studies from the University of North Carolina.
