Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Hage'
Hage Hinoki Cypress
- Family
- Cupressaceae
- Height
- 3 feet
- Width
- 2 feet
- Flower color
- Non-flowering conifer (no ornamental blooms)
- Foliage color
- Dense fans of deep, glossy green foliage with a compact, shell-like texture
- Bloom time
- Non-flowering
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; slow-growing with minimal pruning needed
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Provides shelter for small birds and beneficial garden wildlife
About this plant
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Hage' is a miniature Hinoki cypress valued for its dense presence in the garden. This dwarf evergreen forms a compact, globose mound with twisted, fan-shaped sprays of dark to bright green foliage that add layered texture year-round. In colder climates, the foliage can show soft bronze tones in winter, and the crushed sprays release a resinous fragrance.
Native to Japan, Hinoki cypress has long been used for traditional temple building, and 'Hage' originated as a 1928 seedling selection at William C. Hage & Company Nursery in Boskoop, Netherlands. Pollen and seed cones develop in spring, marking its blooming season, while slow inch-per-year growth makes it well-suited to rock gardens, troughs, and containers.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Rock Gardens · Containers · Foundation Plantings
Companion plants
Thyme · Switch grasses · Catmint · Penstemons · Coreopsis · Blanket flower
Design tip
Slow growth and a naturally compact shape make this Hinoki cypress especially useful where you want lasting structure without constant trimming. Its intricate, shell-like foliage looks particularly attractive beside simple stonework, where the contrast allows its unusual texture to become the focus.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden.
