Blue Moon Sawara Cypress

Light Needs

Full Sun

(6+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

3-4 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Blue Moon is a dwarf conifer that has a lovely rounded shape that is a great addition to a rock garden, formal garden or Asian inspired planting. The extremely slow growing foliage has blue color that would make a great contrast to other green foliage. The needles are very inviting and beg to be touched to see just how soft and evergreen conifer can be. Blue Moon would make for an interesting specimen as either Bonsai or just in a pot as part of a seasonal planting display.

The Sawara species of False Cypress is native to central and southern Japan where it can reach heights of 80-100 feet. Blue Moon is a tiny speck compared to those giants and much more garden friendly. As it matures, forms a spherical, domed shape. It has short sprays of stiff, finely textured foliage that form a compact ball of striking, bright steel-blue branches that are soft to the touch.

Blue Moon Sawara Cypress Care

Blue Moon likes an acidic to neutral soil. 6.0-7.0 pH. Full sun will keep the new growth a nice bright blue. A well drained, average soil is ideal. Evergreen conifers do not enjoy sitting in wet, heavy clay soil. The root ball on dwarf conifers is shallow and should not be allowed to dry out the first year after planting. Additional irrigation may be necessary during periods of hot weather. Fertilizing is not usually required with a dwarf conifer. But if you would like, you can apply evergreen fertilizer in the spring and mulch around the base of your plant, to keep your Blue Moon as healthy as possible

Pruning is only needed to keep Blue Moon Sawara to a specific shape. The annual growth is very slow at only 3-4 inches a year. This slow growth also makes it ideal for Bonsai and container growing. They are most susceptible to aphids, honey fungus, and phytophthora root diseases, so watch your cypress for signs of distress. Contact with the Blue Moon Sawara Cypress can irritate sensitive skin.

Blue Moon Sawara Cypress Spacing

This dwarf specimen conifer reaches an overall height and width of 4 feet after many years. It is so slow growing that it can happily live in a container. When planting with other conifers in a garden bed the spacing needs to be 4 feet on center to allow for mature growth. Blue Moon Sawara Cypress is perfect for foundation planting and conifer collections in need of structure. It is a great addition to any bonsai or rock garden and works well in urban areas. They are ideal for containers and their incredible blue color makes them perfect for pots and perennial mixes.

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