Lawson's Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Ellwood's Pillar = 'Flolar'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Not blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar', commonly known as Lawson's Cypress or Port Orford Cedar, features a narrow, columnar form. The plant is characterized by its dense foliage, which has a refined and slightly feathery texture. The evergreen leaves are a rich, blue-green hue that provides year-round color in the landscape. This hue may become tinged with hints of silver, which adds to its decorative appeal. The leaves are arranged in flattened sprays and when examined closely, they show fine white markings on the underside, adding further detail to its textured appearance. Small, rounded cones may appear, providing an additional ornamental quality to the plant as they mature. These cones are inconspicuous compared to the prominent foliage. The overall form of 'Ellwood's Pillar' is compact and well-suited for creating vertical accents in garden spaces. Its consistency in maintaining a narrow shape without the need for regular trimming makes it a low-maintenance choice for both formal and informal settings. The plant's appearance exudes an elegance that can complement various garden designs and pair well with other plants.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Cupressaceae.
- Synonyms
  Lawson's Cypress, Oregon Cedar, Port Orford Cedar, Ellwood's Pillar.
- Common names
  Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar', Cupressus lawsoniana.
Toxicity
- To humans
  Lawson's Cypress, commonly known as 'Flolar', is not typically known for being toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, individual allergic reactions or sensitivity to plant sap or oils can occur. If ingested, parts of the plant may be mildly toxic and can cause gastrointestinal discomfort or irritation. Direct skin contact with the foliage or sap might result in dermatitis or skin irritation for some individuals. It's advisable to exercise caution and prevent children from ingesting the plant.
- To pets
  Lawson's Cypress, commonly known as 'Flolar', is not generally listed as a toxic plant to pets. While it's not known for containing potent toxins, it's still advised to prevent pets from ingesting the plant. Consuming plant material can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset in pets, such as vomiting or diarrhea, due to the irritant nature of the foliage or if the pet has a sensitivity. If your pet consumes a large amount of any non-food plant, it's wise to monitor their health and consult a veterinarian if any concerning symptoms develop.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Blue-green
- Height
  6-8 feet [1.8-2.4 meters]
- Spread
  2-3 feet [0.6-0.9 meters]
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  5-7
- Native area
  North America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: 'Ellwood's Gold' is prized for its unique conical shape and vibrant gold-tipped foliage, making it an attractive addition to gardens and landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal pruning and care once established, making it a favorable choice for those with limited time or gardening expertise.
- Year-Round Interest: As an evergreen, it provides color and structure throughout all seasons, maintaining garden appeal even in winter.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate periods of dry weather, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Wildlife Habitat: It offers shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife, enriching the local ecosystem.
- Privacy Screening: Its dense growth habit makes it effective as a privacy screen or hedge, blocking unwanted views and reducing noise pollution.
- Soil Stabilization: The root system helps to prevent soil erosion, particularly on slopes and in areas with loose soil.
- Adaptability: It can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Size Control: As a slow-growing cultivar, it stays relatively small, which is ideal for urban gardens or spaces with limited room.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar', commonly known as Lawson's Cypress, can be used in model making or miniature landscapes due to its fine texture and scale-like foliage.
- The dense growth of Lawson's Cypress makes it suitable as a sound barrier to reduce noise pollution in residential areas.
- Its upright, narrow form allows Lawson's Cypress to be used as a privacy screen or hedge in landscaping without taking up too much space.
- Due to its attractive blue-green foliage, Lawson's Cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar' is often used as a Christmas decoration or small living Christmas tree in pots.
- Wood from Lawson's Cypress is sometimes used in woodturning and crafting for its fine grain and ability to hold detail.
- The aromatic wood can be used to make closet liners or storage chests as it naturally repels moths and insects.
- Lawson's Cypress branches are used in floral arrangements, wreaths, and garlands during the holiday season because they hold their needles well.
- The conical shape of the plant is ideal for creating focal points in garden designs, drawing the viewer's eye upwards.
- Lawson's Cypress can be planted in pots on patios and balconies where ground space is limited to provide evergreen interest throughout the year.
- The tree's resistance to wind makes it a good choice for exposed or coastal gardens as a windbreak or shelterbelt.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Lawson's Cypress is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Lawson's Cypress is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Longevity - Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, commonly known as Lawson's Cypress, can live for hundreds of years, making it a symbol of endurance and the passage of time.
- Peace - The evergreen nature of Lawson's Cypress and its role in creating serene landscapes has led it to be associated with tranquility and peace.
- Protection - In landscaping, Lawson's Cypress is often used as a windbreak or privacy screen, which has led to its symbolic meaning of providing shelter and protection.
- Healing - Though more commonly associated with other cypress varieties, the Lawson's Cypress is sometimes symbolically connected to healing because of the cypress family's traditional medicinal uses.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

500 - 2500 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
For the Lawson Cypress, commonly known as Ellwood's Pillar, it's essential to maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging the soil. Water the plant once a week, delivering approximately 1-2 gallons depending on the size of the plant and the weather conditions. During the growing season, increase watering frequency to support growth, but always check the soil before adding more water. During colder months, reduce watering to prevent root rot, especially if the plant is situated in heavy soil that retains moisture longer. Adequate drainage is crucial to prevent water accumulation at the base.
Light
The Lawson Cypress, or Ellwood's Pillar, thrives in a location with full sun to part shade. Ideally, it should receive at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. However, it also tolerates light, dappled shade, especially in regions with very hot summers. Avoid deep shade since it can lead to sparse foliage and a less vigorous plant.
Temperature
Ellwood's Pillar Lawson Cypress prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ranging between 40°F and 70°F for optimal growth. It can withstand winter temperatures down to about -20°F but should be protected from harsh winter winds. During hot summers, ensure it has some protection from extreme heat, as temperatures exceeding 80°F may stress the plant.
Pruning
Pruning of Ellwood's Pillar Lawson Cypress is primarily done to maintain its shape and remove any dead or damaged branches. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. This plant's growth habit is naturally columnar, so minimal pruning is needed. It's best to prune lightly each year rather than waiting several years and then cutting back heavily.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Lawson's Cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar' requires well-draining soil mixed with organic material like peat moss or compost, and a slightly acidic to neutral pH level, ideally between 5.5 and 7.0.
Repotting
Lawson's Cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar' grows slowly and typically needs repotting only once every 3 to 5 years, depending on the pot size and growth rate.
Humidity & Misting
Lawson's Cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar' is adaptable but prefers moderate to high humidity levels to thrive.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light and humidity, don't overwater.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, shelter from wind, well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  5-8 USDA
Life cycle
Lawson Cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar' begins its life cycle as a seed, typically requiring cold stratification to break dormancy before germinating in moist, well-drained soil. Upon germination, the seedling emerges and begins to develop roots and a shoot system; during this juvenile phase, the foliage is often more needle-like. As it grows into a young tree, the characteristic scale-like adult leaves develop, and it exhibits the compact, columnar growth habit for which 'Ellwood's Pillar' is known. With maturity, it reaches reproductive age and develops small, woody cones, which are the reproductive structures containing seeds that, once pollinated, can produce new plants. The mature Lawson Cypress can live for many decades, during which it may undergo periods of active growth and dormancy, responding to seasonal changes. Eventually, the tree reaches senescence, where growth slows and reproductive capacity diminishes until it dies, completing the life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring
- The Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood's Pillar', commonly known as the Lawson cypress, is typically propagated through cuttings. This method is favored as it helps maintain the distinct characteristics of the 'Ellwood's Pillar' variety. To propagate Lawson cypress 'Ellwood's Pillar', softwood cuttings are collected in late spring to early summer when the new growth is just beginning to harden off, usually around 4 to 6 inches in length. These cuttings are then treated with a rooting hormone to encourage root development and planted in a well-draining soil mix. A high humidity environment is maintained to foster root growth, and the cuttings are kept under indirect light until they have rooted sufficiently, which may take several weeks to a few months. Once rooted, the cuttings can then be potted up individually and gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before being planted out in their final position.