Dwarf Japanese Cedar
Looking for a no-mess plant?
Make your yard look neat and tidy with this low-maintenance shrub.
Dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana’) has a low-maintenance nature and an ability to maintain its neat appearance without pruning, making it the perfect choice for individuals who appreciate the beauty of a well-kept garden without the constant upkeep. Dwarf Japanese cedar is a needled evergreen shrub, hardy in zones 5-8, and is naturally globe-shaped and compact. It grows slowly, adding 2-3 inches per year until it reaches a mature size of 4-8 feet high and wide. It has fine-textured blue-green needles that turn an attractive bronze-red color in the winter. This shrub is generally pest and disease resistant, and according to Rutgers University’s list of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance, it is seldom severely damaged by deer.
Plant dwarf Japanese cedar in a location with full to partial sun and acidic, moist, well-draining soil. When planting this shrub, remember that all newly planted garden plants need lots of water. It takes time for young plants to develop a root system that can absorb enough water to support the plant’s growth. Learn more about proper watering techniques here. Dwarf Japanese cedar does not need pruning to keep its round shape, and can be fertilized each spring with an acid loving fertilizer such as Holly-tone. Dwarf Japanese cedar does best in open, sunny locations that are protected from drying winds.
How to Grow and Care for Dwarf Japanese Cedar
Planting: The best time of year to plant a dwarf Japanese cedar is in the spring or fall, giving the roots time to establish before the onset of extreme hot or cold weather. Water deeply immediately after planting.
Location: Choose a location with acidic, moist, well-draining soil that does not become soggy and waterlogged. Select a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil: Amend the soil with organic matter, such as compost, shredded leaves, or Leaf-gro® to improve drainage. Dwarf Japanese cedar likes acidic soil; consider getting a soil test and amending the soil as needed to increase acidity.
Mulch: Apply a layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. Make sure the mulch does not touch the base of the plant.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first two years of growth and periods of drought. Deep watering is preferable to encourage the development of a strong root system. Once established, dwarf Japanese cedars are moderately drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry periods will help to maintain the plant’s health and appearance (Are you in a drought? Check the U.S. Drought Monitor).
Fertilizing: Fertilize dwarf Japanese cedar in early spring, using a fertilizer made for acid-loving plants (such as Holly-tone), following the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or early fall, as this can stimulate late-season growth that may be susceptible to winter damage.
Pruning: Dwarf Japanese cedar grows slowly and is naturally dome-shaped and compact. It does not require any pruning. Dead or damaged branches can be pruned out, as needed.
Pests and Diseases: Cryptomeria scale, and root rot can be occasional problems. Keep an eye on your plants and treat issues promptly. Ensure good air circulation around your plants to minimize the risk of disease, and practice good watering habits (see “How to Water your Plants” to brush up on your watering skills). Overwatering will increase the odds of dwarf Japanese cedar developing root rot and fungal diseases.
Does Dwarf Japanese Cedar Like Sun or Shade?
Dwarf Japanese cedar performs best in locations with full sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight per day), and will also tolerate partial shade conditions (3-6 hours of direct sunlight per day) and dappled light. Dappled light is sunlight that filters through overhead foliage, creating patches of light and shade on the ground below, and is often found beneath trees with open canopies.
How Big Does Dwarf Japanese Cedar Get?
The dwarf Japanese cedar, botanically known as Cryptomeria japonica 'Globosa Nana', is a dwarf, shrub-sized cultivar of the Japanese cedar tree Cryptomeria japonica. It is a small, compact plant with a rounded growth habit and will reach 4-8 feet in height and spread over many years. Dwarf Japanese cedar grows slowly, adding 2-3 inches of growth per year. Growth rates can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil conditions, and care.
Spacing for the dwarf Japanese cedar will depend on your desired planting style. For a dense planting, where the plants to grow together and form a continuous hedge or border, space plants 3 feet on center (“on center” refers to the distance between the center of one plant to the center of the next plant). This close spacing will allow the plants to fill in at a quicker rate and create a solid mass of foliage. For a more informal grouping, plants can be spaced slightly further apart, about 3-5 feet on center. If you want to showcase the individual form of each cedar plant, space them 5-6 feet on center.
Garden Ideas for Dwarf Japanese Cedar:
Foundation planting: This tidy evergreen shrub is the ideal foundation plant. It has a small, mounding shape that fits well underneath windows. Plant a uniform row along the front or side of the house, or use as part of a mixed foundation border.
Mixed evergreen garden: Pair dwarf Japanese cedar with other evergreen shrubs and trees to create a year-round garden that offers both privacy and aesthetic appeal. Weeping blue atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca Pendula’), mugo pine (Pinus mugo), Gyokuryu Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Gyokuryu'), and golden mop false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’) make great planting companions.
Rock garden accent: Plant dwarf Japanese cedar in a rock garden, where its soft, fine-textured foliage will contrast with the rugged texture of stone.
All-Season Garden: Mix dwarf Japanese cedar with other deciduous plants to ensure year-round interest. The compact form and evergreen color will add structure to the garden during the colder months, when other plants are bare. Good planting companions include purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’), Neon Stonecrop (Sedum spectabile ‘Neon’), and Japanese anemone (Eriocapitella x hybrida).
Evergreen structure: The compact and spherical growth habit of dwarf Japanese cedar provides a structured and neat appearance in the garden without overwhelming other plants. It is perfect for smaller gardens or for those who prefer a more manicured look. Plant a row of dwarf Japanese cedar shrubs behind a row of shorter perennials like speedwell (Veronica), catmint (Nepeta), or Cheddar pinks (Dianthus ‘Firewitch’) to create a structured, sophisticated look.
Container: Plant dwarf Japanese cedar in large pots to create eye-catching evergreen containers for your patio or balcony.
Specimen: Use a single dwarf Japanese cedar shrub as a striking focal point in your garden, allowing its graceful form to stand out amid other plantings.
Why is My Dwarf Japanese Cedar Turning Brown?
Winter Bronzing: The dwarf Japanese cedar, like all members of the Cryptomeria genus, is prone to winter bronzing. Foliage will change from green to shades of copper, bronze, and purple. Bronzing is a common winter occurrence, a cosmetic issue that does not cause long-term harm to the plant’s health. In spring, as temperatures warm up again, plants will change back to their lush green color.
Cold Damage: Ice, freezing temperatures, and drying winds may damage the foliage of the dwarf Japanese cedar, causing browning and discoloration of the needles. Wait until spring to prune away any winter-damaged branches.
Disease: Fungal diseases, like leaf blight and leaf spot, can cause browning of the interior foliage of dwarf Japanese cedar. Ensure good air circulation around your plants to minimize the risk of disease, and do not overwater your plants.
Natural Needle Shedding: Dwarf Japanese cedar, like many evergreen trees, undergoes natural needle shedding, with older foliage being shed to make way for new growth. This shedding process can occur throughout the year but is most noticeable in late winter and early spring.
Tree and Shrub Planting Companions for Dwarf Japanese Cedar
Double Play® Gold Spirea (Spiraea japonica 'Yan'): A small deciduous shrub with hot pink summer flowers and golden leaves.
Golden Threadleaf Sawara False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera aurea’): Semi-dwarf evergreen shrub with weeping golden yellow foliage.
Kagiri Nishiki Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum ‘Kagiri Nishiki’): A unique dwarf Japanese maple with variegated white, pink and green leaves.
Kaleidescope Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora ‘Kaleidescope’): A small semi-evergreen shrub with eye-catching variegated leaves and small white flowers.
Little Devil Ninebark (Physocarpus opufolius ‘Donna May’): A compact deciduous shrub with burgundy foliage and abundant spring flowers.
Merlot Redbud (Cercis ‘Merlot’): A compact, spring-flowering tree with burgundy leaves.
Red Dragon Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Red Dragon'): A dwarf Japanese Maple with deep red-purple dissected leaves.
Weigela My Money Purple Effect® (Weigela florida 'Verweig8'): A ground cover or edging plant with variegated foliage and purple flowers.
Unraveling the Botanical Name of Dwarf Japanese Cedar
The botanical name, or Latin name, of the dwarf Japanese cedar is Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana'. Each word provides specific information about the plant's taxonomy and characteristics:
Cryptomeria is derived from Greek words: "krypto" meaning hidden or concealed, and "meros", meaning part or segment. This refers to the hidden position of the plant's reproductive organs.
Japonica refers to Japan and indicates the native range of the species.
Globosa refers to the plant's rounded, dome-shaped habit or form..
Nana is a Latin word meaning dwarf or small. It's used to indicate this plant is a compact, miniature variety when compared to the original straight species.