Planting More Fernspray Hinoki Cypress
Adding just one type of tree, bush, or plant can totally transform a space. I am always looking for ways to improve the landscape here at my Bedford, New York farm.
Last year I planted a group of large Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Filicoides' or Fernspray Hinoki cypress bushes along the carriage road just past my allée of lindens near the entrance to my Japanese Maple Woodland. They looked so beautiful, I decided to plant some more - 16 more! Yesterday, smaller Fernspray Hinoki cypress bushes were planted in between the lindens on both sides of the allée. These bushes are large-growing, upright specimens with long, ascending branches - perfect for this area!
Enjoy these photos.
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- If you follow this blog regularly, you may recall last November I decided to plant this group of Hinoki cypress along the curved carriage road leading to my chicken coops. I love planting interesting and beautiful specimens that add texture, growth and beauty at different times throughout the year. I also enjoy arranging large groups of certain plantings to create borders and appealing displays.
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- These Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’ or Fernspray Hinoki cypress bushes have thrived here. All who visit ask about them – they’ve become such a beautiful addition to this area of the farm.
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- Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’ is a large-growing, upright and full conifer native to Japan. It is commonly called Hinoki cypress or Hinoki falsecypress. It grows 10 to 15 feet tall with a pyramidal shape and spread that reaches 10 to 20 feet wide.
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- It features spreading branches with flattened fern-like horizontal branchlets that droop at the ends. Here is a close look at the foliage which is bold, emerald-green in color.
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- I knew planting one in between each of the lindens in this allée would be a great idea. I purchased 16 36-inch tall bushes from our friends at Select Horticulture in nearby Pound Ridge. Here they are positioned between the trees. Spring blooming bulbs and flowers will open around the base of these bushes and look so pretty.
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- This allée is adjacent to my bird enclosures. Two peacocks are watching all the planting activity. Here, holes were started for each bush to be planted.
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- The wrappings around a tree’s rootball keep a tree or bush safe during transport and make it easier to move it to its planting position. Here, strong twine is used to keep the burlap well secured. Some also use wire cages.
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- It’s important to make sure these bushes are centered exactly between the lindens. Before final planting, each hole is measured several times to be absolutely sure.
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- The team continues to dig the holes a bit bigger. The holes must be pretty wide – each one should be at least two to five times as wide as the root ball, but no deeper than the root ball. Once in the hole, the top of the root ball should just be slightly higher than the soil surface, much like it was planted at the nursery.
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- The hole sides should also be slanted. Digging a proper hole helps to provide the best opportunity for roots to expand into its new growing environment.
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- A good fertilizer made especially for new transplanted evergreens, trees and shrubs should be used. This is fortified to help with transplant survival, increased water and nutrient absorption, and to encourage vigorous root growth and lush foliage.
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- Byron mixes the fertilizer in with the existing nutrient-rich soil.
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- Then Byron removes all the twine ad burlap wrapping. Some leave them in the ground, but I prefer to remove them completely, so there is nothing blocking the growing roots.
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- Fernspray Hinoki cypress ‘Filicoides’ do best with medium moisture, in well-drained soils. They also prefer full sun to part shade and some shelter from high winds. I think they’ll do wonderfully here. When moving heavy specimens, only hold it by the root ball, center trunk, and the base of the planting – never by its branches, which could easily break.
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- Once in the hole, it is turned so its best side faces the allée carriage road.
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- Then the crew backfills the hole. And remember, don’t plant it too deeply – always leave it “bare to the flare” or where the first main roots attach to the trunk.
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- Finally, each specimen is given a good drink of water – we’re not expecting any significant rain until the weekend.
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- These bushes can grow several inches to a foot each year. And do you know… when the foliage is slightly crushed, it lets off an aromatic scent?
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- By afternoon, all 16 of these handsome falseypress bushes were planted, fed, and watered – another big project checked off our list.
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- I am looking forward to seeing these Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Filicoides’ bushes develop and flourish. There’s still time! What new plantings are you adding to your gardens this season?
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