Japanese Cedar

Making bright green cones against the sky in the larger garden, Cryptomeria japonica is a vigorous, fast-growing, evergreen tree with fibrous, reddish-brown bark and a conical habit. The short, awl-shaped leaves are arranged spirally; they emerge yellowish, turn bright green in summer, and take on attractive blue tints in winter. 2cm, spherical green, turning to brown, cones are borne in autumn. If you have box blight or box moth caterpillar in your area, Japanese cedar makes a good substitute for topiary, but it is equally good left to its own devices. Young plants may need protection in harsh winters. Pruning rarely needed.