'Verdon' Hinoki Cypress

 For a small urban garden many dwarf evergreen conifers are a good fit. There are so many to choose from and Verdon hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Verdoni’) is one of the finest. Its fan shaped gold-edged green foliage will light up almost any garden locale. It makes a great garden companion with short growing perennials, summer flowering annuals, and other dwarf conifers.

Verdon’s scale-like leaves hold their golden hue through all four seasons, and do not scorch in the summer sun or the frigid cold of winter once established for two years.

Grow Verdon in a well-drained, compost rich garden soil and keep properly mulched for adequate soil moisture. Its growth rate is very slow, just 2-3 inches per year. In ten years it may grow to 3 feet in height x 2 feet in width. It is rated as hardy to -30°F (USDA hardiness zones 4-7).

Verdon may grow slightly asymmetric. Give it a permanent spot in the garden or grow in a container for several years. Lightly fertilize  with 10-10-10 or equivalent  granular fertilizer in early spring or feed a water soluble fertilizer such as Hollytone®, Miracle-Gro® or equivalent 2-3 times from March through August.

Dwarf conifers ask for very little extra care and prosper for many years in a sunny to partially shaded garden spot or in a container on a deck or patio. They are rarely troubled by disease or insect pests.