Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Blue Surprise’
This is a dense, upright, narrowly conical selection of Lawson cypress. It has steel-blue juvenile foliage on reddish stems that stands out from a long distance. Under cold conditions, the foliage is said to take on a purple cast but we wuill have to see if we get cold enough for that to happen
It is a slow grower and after 10 years it will be 6′ tall and 2′ wide. Its annual rate of growth is 6 to 8 inches.
Pronunciation: kam-ee-SIP-a-riss law-soh-nee-AY-nuh
Species Meaning: Named for Peter Lawson & Sons, 19th century nurserymen in Edinburgh
Additional Information
Selected by Anthony P. J. de Beer, Tilburg in The Netherlands, and introduced in 1976. In 2017 it was selected for inclusion in the ACS Collectors’ Conifer of the Year Program.
The conifer society advises that you should only buy plants that have been grafted because it is highly susceptible to Phytophthera lateralis, a water-borne fungal disease of the roots. Ours is not, but it will be planted in very free draining soil, so it should not be a problem.
In Our Garden
Plant ID: P22036
Found in Winter Garden,
Between the two Maples.
We acquired this plant from Starky's Corner.
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Winter GardenA Winter Garden is a place where plants that provide interest during the darkest days of winter are highlighted. This can be because of color, shape or form.
