Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' – A Dwarf Hinoki Cypress for Elegant, Year-Round Beauty
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis', commonly known as the Dwarf Hinoki Cypress, is a slow-growing, compact evergreen conifer that adds elegance, texture, and year-round interest to any garden. With its fine, feathery foliage and dense, pyramidal form, this cultivar is perfect for small gardens, rock gardens, containers, or as a striking accent plant in larger landscapes. Its deep green, aromatic foliage and graceful shape make it a timeless addition to both formal and informal garden designs.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: Fresh, vibrant green foliage emerges in early spring, providing texture and color to the garden as the growing season begins.
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Summer: The soft, fern-like leaves retain their rich, dark green hue, offering a lush, cool backdrop against other plants.
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Autumn: The foliage maintains its color, gradually deepening in tone and contributing to the seasonal beauty of the garden.
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Winter: In winter, 'Nana Gracilis' retains its evergreen charm, adding structure and contrast to the garden while other plants may fade or go dormant.
Structure & Form
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' grows in a dense, upright pyramidal shape, reaching a height of 60–90cm with a spread of 45–60cm. Its slow growth and compact size make it an ideal choice for smaller gardens or containers, where it won’t outgrow its space. The foliage consists of feathery, soft, dark green needles arranged in a layered, tiered pattern that gives the shrub a graceful, textured look. Over time, the shrub maintains a beautiful, symmetrical shape, making it an elegant addition to any garden.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Small Gardens: Its compact size and graceful form make 'Nana Gracilis' ideal for small garden spaces where its neat pyramidal shape can be appreciated.
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Rock Gardens: The Dwarf Hinoki Cypress thrives in rock gardens, where it provides a contrasting texture against natural stone, while maintaining a refined, understated presence.
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Containers: 'Nana Gracilis' is well-suited for container planting, adding evergreen beauty and structure to patios, terraces, and balconies.
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Formal Gardens: Its elegant, symmetrical form makes it perfect for formal gardens, where it can be used in hedges, topiary, or as an accent plant in structured designs.
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Mixed Borders: This shrub complements a wide range of plants in mixed borders, offering texture and year-round interest, especially when paired with perennials or other evergreens.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Prefers full sun to partial shade. While it thrives in full sun, it can tolerate some light shade, especially in warmer climates or areas with intense afternoon sun.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, fertile, acidic to neutral soil. It is adaptable to a variety of soil types but performs best in moist, well-drained conditions.
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Hardiness: Hardy, making it suitable for temperate climates. It can tolerate cold weather but should be protected from severe winds in areas with harsh winters.
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Maintenance: Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' requires minimal care. Occasional light pruning can help maintain its symmetrical form, but it is naturally slow-growing and compact. Water regularly during dry spells, but avoid waterlogging. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and provides winter protection for the roots.
Why Choose Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis'?
With its graceful, pyramidal shape, fine-textured foliage, and low-maintenance nature, 'Nana Gracilis' is the perfect choice for adding year-round elegance to smaller gardens, rockeries, or containers. Its slow growth and compact size ensure that it fits neatly into tight spaces while still providing the beauty and sophistication of a larger evergreen conifer. Whether used as an accent plant, in a hedge, or as a specimen plant, 'Nana Gracilis' brings timeless beauty to any landscape.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Perennials: Pair with low-growing perennials like Heuchera, Sedum, or Ajuga for a complementary texture and contrasting foliage color.
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Grasses: Combine with ornamental grasses such as Festuca or Carex for an elegant contrast in texture and form.
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Spring Bulbs: Plant alongside early spring bulbs like Daffodils or Crocus for a burst of color in early spring when 'Nana Gracilis' is still displaying its lush green foliage.
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Other Conifers: Pair with other dwarf conifers like Pinus mugo 'Mops' or Juniperus communis 'Compressa' to create a varied yet harmonious evergreen display.
Conclusion
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' is a refined and versatile evergreen conifer that brings elegance, texture, and year-round interest to your garden. Its slow growth, graceful pyramidal form, and fine-textured green foliage make it a perfect addition to smaller spaces, rock gardens, and containers. Whether used as a specimen plant or as part of a mixed border, 'Nana Gracilis' offers timeless beauty with minimal maintenance, making it an ideal choice for both modern and traditional garden designs.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
