Buy Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Chirimen'

Juvenile foliage has a very unique appearance on this upright, miniature conifer. Dark green color and a very open habit make this plant a distinctive conifer for the rock garden.

One of the most interesting of all the dwarf Cypress, 'Chirimen' produces tall columns of foliage that twist and turn with new columns produced from the base as the tree matures. Branches occasionally poke out of the side and develop into a new upright column to make the plant look like a miniature cactus.

Wonderfully interesting, this new Japanese selection has dense gray-green foliage reminiscent of the Japanese crepey silk fabric called 'Chirimen'. The fine texture gathers into vertical flame-like forms. 1.5'x 1' in 10 years.

Wow, this is an obtusa? A strange form of Hinoki cypress featuring multiple narrow leaders of tightly congested, crinkly foliage. Very dark green color.

Chirimen is a very unusual false cypress in fact, almost weird. It sends up many upright shoots with tiny congested needles. In youth the clustered shoots may be different shades of green from a deep rich green to shades of gray of bluish gray and in time will imitate a grove of trees. Takes full sun to part shade (in hottest summer areas) and wants good soil that is kept moist but well drained. If left untrimmed will slowly grow to 3-6' depending on climate and culture, wider with age. One more weird factor is the placement of seed cones along the trunk. Note the brownish color in photo. These tiny cones will fall with age. Grows best in zones 5-8. LiveScale©Choice-Small Dwarf Shipping size 8-12", single trunk.

A dwarf upright Hinoki Cypress with very fine gray-green foliage. Very curious and delicate in appearance, but easy to grow. New yellow/green growth in spring is oustanding. Sort of has a fascinating "Dr. Seuss" growth habit.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Chirimen' The fascinating foliage of this new Japanese selection displays multiple textures and colors. That explains the name, Chirimen, which is a dyed crepe fabric traditionally made from silk and used for making kimonos. Each narrow, upright tree becomes a cluster of thick, upright shoots that resemble bottlebrushes, with both juvenile and adult foliage in shades of blue and green. The effect is striking and unusual for a Hinoki cultivar. Use this textural accent where the crinkly, congested foliage will stand out. Requires perfect drainage; sometimes mistakenly listed as 'Chairman'.