Only one or two species make up this genus of evergreen, coniferous trees from the forests of China and Japan. The dense foliage is attractive, as is the reddish brown bark. The trunk can from a buttress as it matures. Japanese cedars are very long-lived. Grow them as specimens, as screening, in a large rock garden, or as part of a conifer garden.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsEvergreen, dense foliage; conical growth habit; attractive bark. Long-lived.
CareJapanese cedar will grow in most any well-drained soil, but it prefers a deep, fertile, moist but well-drained, humusy soil in a sheltered site. Full sun or partial shade.
PropagationSow seed outdoors in spring in containers or a seedbed, or take ripewood cuttings in late summer or early autumn.
ProblemsYoung plants can be affected by needle necrosis, branch dieback, and root rot. Plants can be stunted by nematodes.
