Chamaecyparis lawsoniana White Spot - Lawson Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'White Spot' is a coniferous tree of the Cupressaceae family, from which it derives its common name of Lawson Cypress. This tree, sometimes also called false cypress, is native to the moist coastal forests of the northwest United States. In its environment, it often reaches over 30m (98ft) in height, with a trunk approaching 1.2m (4ft) in diameter. Its habit is upright and conical, and its trailing branches form soft curtains adorned with fairly dark, bluish-green foliage. It has given rise to numerous cultivars among which there is a wide selection of plants of modest stature, better suited to the size of our gardens.

'White Spot' is a variety discovered in 1943 in a nursery in Denmark (a spontaneous mutation of an existing variety). It has a fairly columnar habit and beautiful blue-green foliage. Its adult size is about 3m (10ft), possibly a little more, and its width is 1.5m (5ft). Very decorative in winter with its beautiful pale blue-green colour, it brings light to the garden at a time when it is much needed. The foliage displays young white shoots in spring, turning green in summer. Fine white marbling is scattered on the surface of the adult leaves, giving an overall blue-green visual aspect to this bush. Its growth is moderate during the first few years (20 to 30cm (8 to 12in)), until it reaches a height of 2 to 2.5m (7ft to 8ft) by the age of 10, with a width of about 1.2m (4ft). Then it continues to grow but its growth is much slower.

It is not strictly speaking a rockery conifer but it will fit perfectly in a small garden or within a bed, alongisde perennial plants or low bushes. Perfectly hardy, it nevertheless needs to be protected from strong winds. Quite adaptable to the nature of the soil (except limestone), it appreciates a certain level of humidity, provided it benefits from good drainage. Ordinary garden soil will suit it perfectly, with a sunny exposure or even partial shade. Its upright habit and bluish colour will elegantly blend with compact, yellow or orange foliage bushes, such as Japanese Spirea 'Double Play Gold'. In partially shaded exposure, the fantastic foliage colours of heucheras will allow for bold contrasts to be created.