I saw some samples of this at a local nursery a week or two ago, they were set aside and had slightly browning tips. When I spoke to the nursery plant specialist he said they were sun-browned and were definitely shade-loving trees. Despite the faults in their appearance they were spectacular, looking snow-frosted, and just the thing I think for an overly shady entrance area to my townhouse where things grow but have a tough time of it owing to the shade under the nearby tall cedars and the shade of the townhouse structure, shielding off the area near the front pathway from mostly all sun, all day. These samples seem to have been sold but I am thinking of ordering fresh ones when the fall moist planting season comes around if I can't find them in stock elsewhere. Photo at http://www.tinytreasuresnursery.com/Plant%20Pages/Crypto%20j%20Knaptenensis.htm They are dwarf to about 3 ft ultimately, and have an odd standing-on-end oval shape which should be easy to keep neat if a little clipping won't ruin the plant and its white tips. Or should they NOT ever be trimmed? I think I have found a real solution to what to grow in this area -- now there is a less-than-deliriously happy Pieris, a reasonably happy deciduous azalea, a happy Japanese maple, and a couple of variegated rhododendrons which are fine when not attacked by weevils -- but there are some messy ferns where the dissatisfied Pieris is located, creating a woodland area which has no distinctiveness to it, I have left it to last for redoing. Would these Cryptomeria survive in almost total shade [web sites seem to say they would]? Their whiteness would look great there, I think, especially since the siding of the structure in the background is dark-brown stained cedar, creating a "dark" space for sure in that shade. Does anyone know if they are subject to any specific problems?
Has anyone seen this variety? I am most anxious to invest in several, but would like to hear some comments.
Often burnt when seen at outlets here. Have read depiction(s) of it as a tender variety best used as a pot plant under glass.
Oh, interesting... well well. Thanks, valuable information. If you know of a variegated or light- or gold-toned dwarf conifer which is a good strong definitely shade-loving dwarf conifer for sometimes 17.6 F [-8 degrees Celsius] winters, in a spot which gets the northwest/southeast winds, not hugely windy as it's under some tall evergreens, but noticeably breezy sometimes, usually not that cold but it happened last winter here -- let me know your recommendation.
Thanks -- that's great. I found a photo, they look like what I was looking for. I may have two little ones of that type already, I will dig out my plant labels and see what they are. They were purchased very small, did survive the winter fine, and are in with some heathers but in a sunny spot... they don't look as feathery as the Cryptomeria, and the light shades are interspersed throughout the whole plant, not just on the tips, but still nice...
