Not sure I can post again on this topic, as it was done before but is closed to replies! Well, I have a confession. The other day I bought the 4 Cryptomeria japonica 'Knaptonensis'. No one bought them because they were brown-tipped, and one looks a big scraggly. However, the nursery has clipped some of that off and repotted them, they looked ok for rescuing, and I got them 1/2 price. I put the pots in with the other vegetation prior to planting in the ground in a deeply shady area and even from the street you can see the white froth of the Crytomeria fronds... the tag says zone 5-9, but the nursery said they were overwintered last winter at the nursery in pots... [no one wanted the poor things even then?]. The Weather Network says we are Zone 6B hardiness-wise. I am going to give them a try, anything to try to lighten up the deep shade zone there. I tried to find the other varieties, but in this "gardening paradise" of Vancouver Island the several nurseries I contacted seemed doubtful they could acquire the other suggested varieties of white-tipped dwarf conifers. Of course some others of mine are gold-toned and I do have several other very light-variegated small conifers in another area [I must check to see what they are], kind unknown until I riffle through my plant binder which has all the tags, but not the same variety or possibly even type of conifer as these. I'll let you know what happens.
I have several 'Knaptonensis' in almost all full sun. I make sure they have adequate water during the summer so they won't burn. Planted in the shade will likely make them get leggy and lose a lot of their color. http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2397006030036511179KZkrRT
Oh, lovely, lovely photograph. If mine could be like that! They are now planted, in this deeply shaded area, now a bit brighter however since neighbours across the street have trimmed up their Firs [grotesquely, to topknots, may I say], and just taken down a huge Cottonwood, so it is "brighter" although no direct sun at all except possibly just as the sun rises and maybe a few stray late-day rays, but I am now committed to them. I hope they don't get too leggy, but really, the nursery told me they obviously had received too much sun while there [not sure they kept them in the right area with the semi-shade plants, although the nursery is a large professional one -- they were really all-over browned at the tips]. They seem to have put on some new growth and it seems white enough... I let you know what happens... Yours, Botann, look very comfortable.
South is to the right of the picture and is relatively unobstructed. Those plants in pots get moved around at times. 'knaptonensis' is now in the ground.
Well, mine are in their shady place as described, seem to be recovering after the brown tips nipped off by me. Are doing wonders for the shady place, which now looks somewhat lightened up. Won't know for a while if they like their location, will let you know in due course. They aren't ready to have their photos taken, though -- want to wait and see if they survive/thrive before doing that.
