Compact Hinoki Cypress
Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Compacta’Compact Hinoki Cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Compacta’, is an evergreen conifer grown for its dense, dark green foliage and neat pyramidal form. Its scale-like leaves are packed into flattened, cupped sprays that fan out in layers, and the underside of each spray carries fine white markings. Growth is slow, and plants typically reach about 6–8 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide, with branches held close to the ground. Very old plants may eventually grow taller.
Compact Hinoki Cypress is grown for its foliage rather than flowers, and its deep green color holds through all four seasons. In winter, when deciduous shrubs are bare, it gives beds and foundation plantings structure and color. On older stems, the reddish-brown bark peels in thin strips. Its upright, layered form makes it a natural accent beside an entry, at the corner of a house or in a large patio container, and several plants in a row form a loose evergreen screen.
Compact Hinoki Cypress grows best in full sun to partial sun, and brighter light keeps the plant fuller and denser. It prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter, and it does poorly in soggy ground or long dry spells. A spot sheltered from strong, drying winter wind helps prevent browned foliage. Hinoki cypress is difficult to move once established, so choose a permanent spot with room to grow. A few simple steps keep it dense and healthy.
Care Instructions:
Planting: Plant in spring or early fall in full to partial sun, in a spot sheltered from strong winter wind, setting the root ball level with the surrounding soil.
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soil; in heavy clay, amend with compost or plant on a slight mound so roots do not sit in standing water.
Watering: Water deeply about once a week through the first year and during summer heat, keeping the soil damp but never muddy, and continue watering established plants during dry spells.
Fertilizing: Apply a slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring, and avoid high-nitrogen feeding in late summer or fall, which encourages tender growth.
Pruning: Pruning is rarely needed; trim only green growth in early spring, since branches cut back into bare brown wood will not regrow.
Spacing: Space plants approximately 4–5 feet apart for a screen; because this is closer than the mature spread, neighboring plants will meet and form a continuous evergreen row.
Maintenance: Keep 2–3 inches of mulch over the root zone but pulled back from the trunk, and check the dense foliage in summer for bagworms and spider mites.
Gardeners choose Compact Hinoki Cypress for year-round green structure in a size that fits beside homes, entries and patios. Slow growth means little pruning to hold its shape, and its fine, layered sprays add texture next to broadleaf shrubs. It performs best in a bright, sheltered spot with steady moisture and good drainage, where it keeps a dense, full form for many years.
Landscape Solutions:
- Slow, upright growth keeps it in scale at house corners and beside entries for years without frequent pruning.
- Dark green foliage provides winter color and structure in beds after deciduous shrubs drop their leaves.
- Planted in a row, it forms a loose evergreen screen along property lines or beside a patio.
- Its narrow, pyramidal form makes it a strong single accent in a large container on a deck or patio.
- Layered, fan-shaped sprays add fine texture beside broadleaf evergreens in foundation plantings.
