Beautiful dwarf conifer provides elegant backdrop in summer and anchors the winter landscape.
Giokumo Cryptomeria is an easy care evergreen dwarf Cryptomeria japonica selection with year-round interest introduced by Garden Debut(R) in late 2011. This compact, densely pyramidal Japanese Cedar has a vigorous growth rate. Early growth rate. Early growth in the first 3-4 years is mounding and spreading, but it matures at a height between 8-10 feet tall and about 6-8 feet wide after 20-30 years. For added interest, Giokumo sports persistent, cinnamon-colored decorative female cones about 3/4 inch long.
This pyramidal dwarf conifer has a stout trunk and is graceful in habit in exposed areas of U.S. D.A Zones 6-9 (-10 degrees to 0 degrees F.), Giokumo exhibits a coppery or bronzy winter color, particularly if exposed to wind.
Giokumo Cryptomeria has beautiful, deep green coloration and 3/8 inch long, spirally-arranged awl shaped needles that curve inward. Numerous flexible branchlets are green and thickly covered with these short, spiraling needles, creating a thick, dense habit. Branchlets are eventually deciduous, typically lasting 3-4 years.
This genus is native to Japan and China although it is classified in the Taxodiacead with the bald cypress and redwoods of North America. Landscape uses for Giokumo include: specimen use adding color, form, texture, winter interest, adds height to a mixed border, use on seacoasts, as a privacy screen or backdrop for perennial or rose gardens or contrasting seasonal shrubs, planted in small groves and/or planted at the sunny edge of woodlands. Best in full sun, it will tolerate light shade in a location sheltered from high winds. Achieve maximum growth on rich, deep, permeable, average to slightly acidic, well-drained soils with abundant moisture, although Giokumo will grow on a broad variety of soil types. Keep newly planted trees moist throughout the season after planting, while the roots grow into the native soil and add an organic mulch to maintain soil moisture levels. After becoming established, Giokumo Cryptomeria has average watering needs.
The beauty of the dwarf conifer is its versatility in the modern landscape. Giokumo is ideal in scale and provides horticultural interest for today’s gardens Reduced maintenance required by this dwarf cultivar syncs with faster contemporary lifestyles. Giokumo has great resistance to insects and diseases, as well as improved hardiness and general ease of growth.
Statistics Chart for Giokumo Cryptomeria, Cryptomeria japonica cv. Giokumo
| Plant Category: | Native deciduous tree, conifer |
| Mature Height: | Reaches 8 – 10 feet in 10 years |
| Mature Spread: | 5 - 10 feet |
| Mature Form: | Broadly pyramidal |
| Branching: | Dense with green branchlets, covered with short, spiraling awl-shaped needles |
| Growth Rate: | Naturally dwarf variety, vigorous growth to predetermined max |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (recommended), will tolerate light shade |
| Soil Type: | Prefers rich, deep, well-drained soils with a good moisture supply; adaptable and will tolerate red brickyard clays of the southeast U.S. |
| Soil Moisture: | Best on moist, well-drained soils, use organic mulch and supply regular moisture during the first season while new plantings are getting established |
| Cones: | Conspicuous, small, brown, ½ inch male and female cones that persist |
| Native: | Native to China and Japan |
| Foliage: | Evergreen conifer with 4-angled, awl-shaped, 3/8 inch needles arranged in a spiral on flexible branchlets. Overall, the foliage is dense and has been described as “meaty” |
| Foliage Color: | Beautiful, deep, rich green coloring all year long, with a coppery or bronzy winter color in exposed areas |
| Fall Color: | Leaves turn copper or bronze color in winter, particularly if exposed to strong wind |
| Bark: | Beautiful cinnamon-colored bark is thin and peels in narrow vertical strips |
| Root system : | Vigorous once established, with a moderate salinity tolerance |
| pH Level: | 5 – 8, very adaptable |
| Climate Zones: | 6a – 9, (winter lows -10 to 0 degrees F.) |
| Heredity: | U.S. |
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