Lawson cypress 'Ellwood'

Synonyms: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Ellwood Blue'

Lawson cypress «Ellwood» (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Ellwoodiirin) – a cultivar of Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). The cultivar was discovered in the 1920s in Swanmore Park in the town of Bishop's Waltham, United Kingdom; it arose from a seedling of Lawson cypress. The new cultivar was first described in 1929. The form was twice awarded the Award of Merit by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in 1984 and 1993.

It is an evergreen coniferous slow-growing tree with a broadly conical, dense crown. Branches are horizontal, shoots erect, tips of shoots slightly drooping. At 10 years it reaches 1–1.5 m in height; at maturity 2–3.5 m in height and 0.6–1.2 m in width.

Foliage thin, feathery, silvery blue-green, taking on a metallic hue in winter.

Hardiness zone: 3a (-39°C).

Site/exposure: When young it can tolerate shade; when more mature it becomes sun-loving. Prefers light, moist soil and does not tolerate drying out. Wind-resistant and copes well with urban conditions.

Planting: planting is carried out in spring, immediately after the soil has warmed. It is recommended to prepare the planting hole in autumn. The planting hole is amended with peat, leaf and turf soil, organic and mineral fertilizers. The bottom is recommended to be filled with crushed brick or gravel and left to freeze over the winter. When planting do not deepen the root collar.

Care: in spring you can apply Kemira fertilizer (100 - 150 g/sq. m). Members of this species are quite sensitive to lack of moisture in soil and air. Therefore, it is recommended to mist once a week. Watering – 8-10 L per plant; in dry periods the amount and frequency of watering should be doubled. Young plants are recommended to be shaded during hot periods. If the bark cracks, it is recommended to smear the exposed tissues with tree wound dressing (garden pitch), and to tightly press back any peeled bark.

Pruning: formative and sanitary pruning, which is recommended to be carried out in early spring.

Diseases: the most common disease is root rot, which arises from waterlogging of the soil; шютте бурое; dieback of branches and bark.

Pests: scale insects, spider mite.

Propagation: propagated by cuttings.

Uses: used in avenue, group and solitary plantings, in rock gardens and alpine gardens, for creating park and garden compositions, as well as for creating hedges.