Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta'
ABOUT
The plant commonly known as the Japanese cedar features a dense, shrub-like habit with soft, feathery foliage. It possesses a fine texture with an appearance that can change colors with the seasons. During the spring and summer, the leaves exhibit a bright green color, providing a lush, vibrant appearance. As the weather cools in the fall, this foliage transforms into a bronze-purple hue, offering a striking contrast to the typical greens found in many gardens. The Japanese cedar has a naturally symmetrical shape, creating an elegant and compact form that makes it a favored choice for ornamental purposes. Despite its name, it is not a true cedar but shares some visual similarities. The leaves are needle-like and can have a slightly drooping or weeping appearance, adding to its graceful aesthetic. This variety is known for its adaptability and can be a delightful addition to a variety of landscape settings, often used as a specimen or accent plant.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Japanese Cedar, Sugi, Elegans Compacta Japanese Cryptomeria.
Common names
Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta'.
ToxicityTo humans
Japanese Cedar, Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta', is not widely known to be poisonous to humans. There may be individuals who have specific allergies or sensitivities to this plant, but in general, ingestion is not commonly associated with poisoning or severe adverse health consequences.
To pets
The Japanese Cedar is not known to be toxic to pets either. While it is not commonly associated with poisoning, pets may experience mild stomach upset if they ingest parts of the plant, as it is not part of their normal diet. Watching for any unusual behavior or symptoms after ingestion is wise, but severe toxicity is unlikely.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters)
Spread
2-4 feet (0.6-1.2 meters)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-9
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Adds aesthetic value to gardens with its dense, shrub-like form and soft, feathery foliage that changes color with the seasons.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Though it prefers moist conditions, it can tolerate periods of dry weather once it is well-established.
- Privacy Screen: Can be used as a hedge or screen to create privacy due to its dense growth habit.
- Erosion Control: Helps to stabilize soil on slopes and prevent erosion with its root system.
- Wildlife Support: Provides habitat and shelter for birds and small wildlife within a garden setting.
- Year-Round Interest: Offers visual interest throughout the year with foliage that changes from bright green in spring to bronze in the fall and winter months.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Miniature Bonsai: Due to its small stature, Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta', commonly known as Japanese Cedar, is often used to create miniature bonsai trees for collectors and enthusiasts.
- Woodworking Projects: The wood of Japanese Cedar is lightweight and can be used for small woodworking projects, including crafting boxes or intricately carved ornaments.
- Erosion Control: This plant can serve as an effective ground cover in sloped gardens to help prevent soil erosion thanks to its dense growth habit.
- Wildlife Shelter: In larger gardens and parks, Japanese Cedar can offer shelter and habitat for local wildlife, including birds and small mammals.
- Privacy Screening: When planted in rows, Japanese Cedar creates a natural privacy screen for homes or to block unsightly views, without taking up as much space as larger trees.
- Theme Gardens: Japanese Cedar is ideal for Asian-themed gardens, adding an element of authenticity and traditional Japanese aesthetic.
- Photo Backdrops: Its unique texture and color can provide an appealing backdrop for outdoor photography, particularly in the fall when the foliage changes color.
- Sound Barrier: The dense foliage of the Japanese Cedar can help reduce noise pollution when planted along roadsides or around properties.
- Windbreaks: In rural areas, rows of Japanese Cedar can be used to create windbreaks that protect crops and other vegetation from harsh winds.
- Ceremonial Uses: Some cultures may use the branches and foliage of the Japanese Cedar in a ceremonial context for adornments or symbolic significance during festivals or rites.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Japanese Cedar is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Japanese Cedar is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Endurance - As an evergreen, Cryptomeria japonica, commonly known as Japanese Cedar, is often associated with endurance, symbolizing the ability to withstand the challenges of time and remain unchanging.
- Longevity - The Japanese Cedar can live for hundreds of years, making it a symbol of longevity and perpetual life.
- Sacredness - Often found in temple gardens in Japan, the Japanese Cedar is considered sacred and is associated with spiritual significance and veneration.
- Strength - The wood of the Japanese Cedar is strong and resilient, symbolizing strength and stability in cultural contexts.
- Peace - In Japanese culture, certain trees, including the Japanese Cedar, are thought to embody tranquility and peace, due to their often undisturbed presence in serene forest settings.
WaterThe Japanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' should be watered deeply to ensure the soil is moist, which usually equates to about 1 to 1.5 gallons for small to medium-sized plants each week during the first growing season to help establish roots. Established trees are more drought-tolerant and may require less frequent watering, depending on weather conditions—typically every two to three weeks if there is no significant rainfall. During hot, dry periods, increase watering to once a week. Ensure the plant is not sitting in waterlogged soil, as this can lead to root rot.
LightThe Japanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' thrives in full sun to partial shade. For optimal growth and health, it should be placed in a spot where it receives at least four to six hours of direct sunlight per day, with some afternoon shade in hotter climates to prevent scorching.
TemperatureThe Japanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' is hardy and can tolerate a temperature range from approximately -20 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but thrives best in temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid exposing the plant to temperatures below -20 degrees Fahrenheit, as severe cold can damage the foliage.
PruningPrune the Japanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. The best time to prune is in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This plant does not require frequent pruning, but occasional thinning can help maintain its compact form and improve air circulation.
CleaningAs needed
SoilJapanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' thrives in moist, well-draining soil with a mixture of peat, pine bark, and perlite or sand, at a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5 for ideal growth.
RepottingJapanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its current pot, to promote healthy growth.
Humidity & MistingJapanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' prefers high humidity levels, ideally between 50-60% to mimic its natural environment.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place near sunny window; mist regularly for humidity.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade; shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleCryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Compacta', commonly known as the Japanese Cedar, begins its life as a seed which, once germinated, starts to develop a root system and a shoot that emerges above the soil. This slow-growing conifer will spend several years as a juvenile before reaching a mature phase, during which it develops its distinctive dense, shrubby form and soft, needle-like leaves that may turn bronze in the winter. As it matures, the Japanese Cedar will start producing cones - small male pollen cones and larger female seed cones - enabling it to reproduce. The female cones, once pollinated by the wind-carried pollen from the male cones, will develop seeds. These seeds are then dispersed, often by wind or animals, and can germinate to produce new plants, completing the cycle. It has a long lifespan, often living for several hundred years, with growth and reproductive ability that continues as long as the tree is healthy and conditions are favorable.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Japanese Cedar 'Elegans Compacta' can be effectively propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings, typically taken during the late summer to early fall. The process involves selecting a healthy, semi-ripe shoot and cutting a 4 to 6 inch (about 10 to 15 cm) portion. Leaves are removed from the lower half of the cutting to expose the nodes, and the cut end is often dipped in rooting hormone to enhance root development. Then, the prepared cuttings are placed in a well-draining rooting medium, such as sand or a mixture of peat and perlite, and kept in a humid environment with indirect light and a consistent temperature. A plastic covering can be used to maintain humidity. It's crucial to keep the medium moist but not saturated to prevent rot. Roots usually develop in several weeks, after which the young plants can gradually acclimate to less humid conditions before transplanting.
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