Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Kosteri’

dwarf hinoki cypress

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  • © Bellevue Botanic Garden Society

Outstanding Qualities

‘Kosteri’ is a beautiful conifer, slow growing and loosely pyramidal in habit, with glossy, dark green foliage that twists, creating a sumptuous texture. The branches grow in a graceful layered habit which add to the elegance of this tight, dense grower. It is an excellent choice for growing as a container plant.

Quick Facts

Plant Type: conifer

Growth Habit: columnar

Foliage Type: evergreen

Plant Height (10-year): 4 ft. 0 in. (1.22 meters)

Plant Width/Spread (10-year): 5 ft. 0 in. (1.52 meters)

Plant Height-Mature: 8 ft. 0 in. (2.44 meters)

Plant Width-Mature: 6 ft. 0 in. (1.83 meters)

Hardiness: USDA Zones 4 to 8

Sun/Light Exposure: full sun or light to dappled shade

Water Requirements: drought tolerant when established

Culture Notes

Hinoki cypress will grow best in full sun but tolerates light to dappled shade. It adapts to a variety of soils, from sandy sites to clay, provided the location is well-drained. Once established it is very drought tolerant, requiring little to no summer watering even during prolonged droughts. It requires very little pruning and heavy pruning can ruin its unique appearance. Only prune to remove dead, broken or poorly formed branches.