Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana')
Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Nana' is a compact, slow-growing Japanese cedar with soft, blue-green foliage that bronzes in winter. Ideal for low-maintenance rock gardens and borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’, often referred to as Japanese cedar, is a highly desirable, slow-growing dwarf cultivar valued for its dense structure and seasonal color shift. This compact conifer maintains a bushy, flat-topped, globular shape, making it an excellent low-maintenance substitute for its towering species counterpart. Gardeners appreciate the soft texture of its foliage, which transitions beautifully from summer blue-green hues to attractive bronze-purple tones during the colder months.
As a needled evergreen, the Japanese cedar provides year-round structure and interest in the landscape. It is notably undemanding once established, requiring only moderate water and relatively little pruning, fitting perfectly into low-fuss gardening schemes. This specific cultivar, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’, offers the classic appeal of the Japanese cedar genus in a manageable size perfect for smaller gardens or foundation plantings.
While the original Cryptomeria japonica is a towering tree in its native Japanese habitat, this dwarf variety brings that exotic texture and form down to a human scale, reaching only 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. Its resilience and year-round color make the Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ a reliable evergreen staple for adding depth and contrast to borders and rockeries.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Cupressaceae
- Plant Type: Needled evergreen
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-6 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: Non-flowering
- Bloom Description: Non-flowering
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
The best time to plant your Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ is typically during the spring or fall when weather conditions are milder. This Japanese cedar thrives when situated in full sun, though it will tolerate light shade; ensure the location offers excellent drainage. Culture dictates that this plant prefers moist, rich, fertile, and acidic soils to establish best.
Watering needs are medium; the soil for your Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ must not be allowed to dry out completely, especially during hot periods or the first couple of years after planting. Supplemental irrigation during dry spells is essential for maintaining that desirable soft foliage. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the soil is rich, but a balanced, slow-release feed in spring can boost growth if necessary.
Protecting the planting site from harsh, drying winter winds is crucial for preventing potential foliage scorch or dehydration. While maintenance is low, occasional light pruning can be performed in early spring to maintain the dense, globular shape if desired, though this dwarf cultivar generally requires little intervention.
Landscape Uses
The compact scale of Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ makes it incredibly versatile, moving far beyond the use of its towering species cousin. Dwarf cultivars like this are excellent anchors for rock gardens where their year-round texture contrasts beautifully with stones and low-growing perennials. They also serve perfectly as foundation plantings, softening harsh structural lines without quickly overwhelming the space.
Consider using this Japanese cedar as an element within formal borders, where its slow, predictable 4-6 foot spread allows for precise planning. It also performs admirably when planted in large containers, acting as a permanent architectural centerpiece that requires only consistent medium watering throughout the season. For screening purposes, planting several Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ units can eventually form a dense, low hedge.
Standout Features
Noteworthy Characteristics
Cryptomeria japonica, commonly called Japanese cedar or sugi, is a slender, pyramidal, evergreen conifer with tiered horizontal branching, which is slightly pendulous at the tips. Japanese cedar is a monotypic genus unrelated to the true cedars (Cedrus). It is native to forested areas in Japan and China where it typically grows as a single trunk tree to 150’ tall (infrequently taller) with an 8’ trunk diameter. Sharply-pointed, awl-shaped, fragrant, green to blue-green needles (to 3/4” long) are spirally arranged, and foliage may bronze in cold winters. Specific epithet means of Japan; ‘Elegans Nana’ is a slow-growing dwarf cultivar that typically matures over time to form a bushy, flat-topped, globular mound to 4-6’ tall with soft blue-green summer foliage that acquires bronze-purple tones in winter.
Tolerances
- Deer
Potential Problems
The Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ is generally a tough plant recognized for having no serious insect or disease problems when sited correctly. The main concerns tend to be fungal issues like leaf blight and leaf spot, which usually surface in overly humid or poorly ventilated conditions, or when overhead watering keeps the foliage constantly wet. Ensuring good air circulation and watering only at the base during extended fungal pressure can mitigate these risks. Consistent moisture is vital, as soils that frequently dry out can stress the plant, making it more susceptible to any opportunistic pathogens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Japanese cedar suitable for?
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ is hardy and thrives across USDA Zones 5 through 8.
How large does Japanese cedar grow?
This dwarf cultivar matures to a manageable size, typically reaching a height between 4 and 6 feet, with an equal spread of 4 to 6 feet.
What sun exposure does Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ need?
This needled evergreen prefers full sun, although it can accommodate light afternoon shade successfully in warmer parts of its range.
When does Japanese cedar bloom?
Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ is a non-flowering conifer, providing visual interest primarily through its foliage texture and autumnal color change rather than blooms or fruit.
Conclusion
The dwarf Japanese cedar, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’, offers exceptional value due to its year-round texture, attractive seasonal bronze tint, and very low maintenance requirements. This compact form successfully captures the elegance of the native Japanese cedar in a landscape-friendly package suitable for foundations or rock gardens. Before planting, ensure your site offers rich, acidic, well-drained soil and protect it from harsh winter winds to guarantee the best performance from your new Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’.
Companion Planting
When planning garden beds around your Japanese cedar, select plants that share similar needs for acidic, moist, well-drained soil and partial to full sun exposure. Rhododendrons and Azaleas make excellent companions, as their cultural requirements align perfectly, and their flowering provides a seasonal high note against the evergreen backdrop of Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’. For ground covers, consider spreading varieties of Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) or various low-growing ferns that appreciate similar moisture levels, creating a lush, woodland-style foundation planting.
Design Ideas
Utilize the 4-6 foot mature spread of Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Nana’ to define corners or anchor the start of perennial borders where mid-to-tall plants can rise behind it. Its globular form works well when repeated symmetrically near an entryway. In modern or Japanese-inspired gardens, group three or five specimens of this dwarf Japanese cedar together to create a textural mass planting that emphasizes form over fleeting flowers. The winter bronzing offers excellent contrast against silver-leaved plants or dark green evergreens during winter months.
