Based on who sold this and what he said about it, it likely comes from the Cox Arboretum outside Atlanta. And thus will hopefully prove to be a particular hardy form of this species. If it dies, it dies. I lost a supposed 'hardier' form of some weeping cypress that Cistus was selling in the 2000s. Bless their heart, but Cistus overestimated the hardiness of many of their offerings. If this one has really grown in North Georgia for a while, it has certainly seen and survived single digits F. (< 11C for metric sticklers!) I have it planted in a south facing 'alcove' 'carved' into the side of a very dense Koehne holly, to shelter it from winter wind. Once it has a caliper > 1", I'll completely remove the holly.
Native only to comparatively low altitudes in the wild. In the Sino-Himalayan region plants often have to be growing above 8,000 ft. or more just to persist even in USDA 8 when brought into western cultivation. (This page also gives a detailed description): Cupressus funebris (Chinese weeping cypress) description Wikipedia mentions it being suited to warm temperate climates like in California. Photos online do look like your purchase: cupressus funebris images - Search Images
Yes, and yet Grimshaw et al have pictures of one in Hungary, no part of which can be much milder than where I live. https://www.treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/cupressus/cupressus-funebris/ Anyhow, like I said, I'm aware it's experimental.
Did you read the accompanying text on that page? It is too tender for any but the mildest parts of the British Isles, and young trees have been killed time after time at Kew Talking about the history of the plantings at Folly their site says He tried to collect species that make good use of the local temperate climate of Lake Balaton and tolerate drought well. He mainly planted plants of Mediterranean origin and areas with similar conditions in other parts of the world. https://www.folly.hu/rolunk-34 The area around Lake Balaton has been said to be USDA 7b. Hungary Interactive Plant Hardiness Zone Map
'The area around Lake Balaton has been said to be USDA 7b." As is north Georgia, and my garden. And which is colder than any areas that people generally inhabit in the UK, and certainly "the mildest parts" LMAO. Maybe it hardens its foliage better in sunnier climates than the UK. So what you're point? There's obviously contradictory evidence in the URL I provided - thanks for pointing that out. Yes, I'd read the entire article, actually a year ago when I purchased the plant! FWIW I currently have a Cupressus duclouxiana, almost 20 years old, that has been totally undamaged by the polar vortex winters after hitting about 0F. Even though it's also not described as especially hardy by Bean/Grimshaw: "It is tender, when young at least and, in spite of several attempts, has never become established in the National Pinetum at Bedgebury."
One thing I would like cleared up, is whether this is actually Cupressus, or Chamaecyparis, or whether the jury is still out on that.
Yes, you have Cupressus funebris there. And yes, it is Cupressus (cones mature in 16-24 months), not Chamaecyparis (cones mature in 6-8 months) - the jury cleared that one up over 30 years ago ;-)
One growing in a suburban garden near me in northeast England (at least 30-40 years old), so it is hardier than W J Bean thought (that page on TSO hasn't been updated!).
