One of if not the most unique and interesting coniferous evergreen trees in existence and sure to capture anyone's attention, the Rasen Sugi Cryptomeria is a slow-growing (1 foot per year) upright Japanese cedar with foliage that looks like it might be from another planet! The short, curled, blue green needles create the illusion of braided green wire spiraling around the branches. No two trees look alike, which means your neighbor could never find one that looks exactly like yours! A must have for the conifer enthusiast, or folks that just like unusual and attractive oddities, this amazing evergreen tree deserves a spot as a focal point specimen in every garden where it will grow (USDA Zones 6a-9b). 

Growing 25 or more feet tall and 6 feet wide at maturity, the Rasen Sugi Cryptomeria is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or in groupings in sunny landscape borders or to frame corners, accentuate entryways or as espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plantings. Also nice as a solo or mixed with trailing plants in container gardens. A fine addition to the conifer garden.

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 trees have 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.