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Great Plant Pick: Cryptomeria japonica ‘Vilmoriniana,’ dwarf Japanese cedar

Published 1:30 am Friday, March 5, 2021

By Richie Steffen

Vilmoriniana’s needles are olive in color most of the year, but often take on bronze or purple highlights in wintertime. (Richie Steffen)
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Vilmoriniana’s needles are olive in color most of the year, but often take on bronze or purple highlights in wintertime. (Richie Steffen)
Vilmoriniana’s needles are olive in color most of the year, but often take on bronze or purple highlights in wintertime. (Richie Steffen)

What: Cryptomeria japonica “Vilmoriniana” is a captivating dwarf form of Japanese cedar for its short and dense branching, which creates a small rounded form to 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide in 10 years. The evergreen needles are olive in color most of the year, but often take on bronze or purple highlights in wintertime.

Where: This dwarf Japanese cedar thrives in full sun to light shade, and grows best on a site with well-drained soil.

Size: Vilmoriniana grows to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature.

Care: During dry weather, provide your cedar with regular to occasional watering. Vilmoriniana needs very little pruning.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks

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