Snake Branch Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Araucarioides’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 6a-9b Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer
Height at Maturity: 12-15′
Width at Maturity: 6-8′
Spacing: 5′ for solid hedge; 10′ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Pyramidal
Growth Rate: Moderate, average 1′ per year
Flower Color: None
Flower Size: NA
Flowering Period: NA
Flower Type: NA
Fragrant Flowers: NA
Foliage Color: Blue-Green to Green, Deep Burgundy in winter!
Fragrant Foliage: Yes
Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun
Water Needs: Average
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt
Soil Moisture / Drainage: Damp to Moist but Well-Drained
Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 ( Acid to Neutral)
Maintenance / Care: Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease
Description
A very old but rare and exceptionally unusual looking coniferous evergreen, and a must for eccentric gardeners who love eccentric plants, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Araucarioides’, commonly called Snake Branch or Whip-chord Japanese Cedar, is sure to add a distinct look and feel to your landscape like no other plant will. Visitors to our nursery have described it as anything from “bizzare” to “freakish” or “strange,” but we’d say it’s just fantastically extraordinary!
The most outstanding feature of the Snake Branch Japanese Cedar is its long, drooping, snake-like branchlets. But don’t worry, the branches don’t bite:-) During its younger years the plant is more open and see-through as the thin, tight-needled branches are more widely spaced. Over time, as the tree grows it naturally becomes bushier as it produces more branches, though a little annual pruning can maintain the see-through appearance if desired.
The appeal with this oddity doesn’t stop with its unusual form. In cold weather, the short and thick medium blue-green needles of the Snake Branch Japanese Cedar turn to an unusual and attractive mix of deep burgundy, black and bronze!
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 10 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide at maturity, the Snake Branch Japanese Cedar is ideal for use as a specimen or in groupings in sunny to partially shaded landscape borders or or home foundation plantings. Can also be used as a hedge but we like it best as a stand alone. Also nice for bonsai or as a solo or mixed with trailing plants in container gardens. A fine addition to the conifer garden.
Spacing Recommendations: 12 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing Preferences
Cryptomeria is very easy to grow and virtually no maintenance. It is adaptable to many soil types preferring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. As with many other ornamental trees it does not like a constantly soggy or wet soil, nor an always dry one, though has good drought tolerance when well established. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best performance. Feed in spring with a well-balanced shrub and tree food that contains iron. No pruning will be necessary.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Cryptomeria.
How To Plant And Care For Cryptomeria Trees
Plant Long & Prosper!
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