Crippsii falsecypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Crippsii’) is one tall 20-25 foot high evergreen shrub (or small tree). Its lacy golden evergreen foliage  catches your attention almost any season of the year. Unfortunately, Crippsii is rarely seen in landscapes because few landscape architects and designers know it or can not find it in the nursery trade.

Ten years ago a credit union near my home planted five around their 2-story building. today, each shrub grows slightly different due to varying sunlight exposures around the edifice. Shrubs receiving mostly full sun grow tighter, more compact, while those on the shadier north side display an open looser branching form.

Crippsii prefers a moist, well-drained, and organically rich soil. Newly planted shrubs are best sheltered from drying winter winds and irrigated during summer dry spells. As plants adapt to their surroundings, Crippsii handles seasonal cold, heat and drought extremely well.

Crippsii grows well here in the Southern Appalachian region (USDA zones 6 and 7). Disease and insect pests are rarely seen, although numbers of Crippsii currently planted are small. Bagworms may potentially become an occasional pest in years when larval populations are high.