Dwarf Japanese Cedar, the Soft Evergreen Shrub
Boost your curb appeal with this no-mess, low-maintenance plant.
If you're looking for a low-maintenance way to boost your home's curb appeal, the dwarf Japanese cedar might be your new favorite plant!
This soft evergreen shrub is one of the most seductive plants around. It’s a lush, rich green color and soft to the touch. For anyone who doesn’t want to fuss with finicky plants or deal with seasonal messes, but still wants a front yard that turns heads, this shrub is just the ticket.
Let’s take a deeper look at the details of this plant, including how to plant it, plus inspiring landscaping ideas and the perfect planting companions!
The soft evergreen dwarf Japanese cedar shrub.
All About Dwarf Japanese Cedar
Dwarf Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Globosa Nana’) is a compact, low-maintenance soft evergreen shrub that keeps its neat, globe-like shape without the need for pruning, perfect for gardeners who want beauty without the fuss.
This longtime favorite cultivar, first recorded in the early 1900s, belongs to the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and is native to Japan.
Hardy in zones 5–8, it grows slowly to 4–8 feet tall and wide, with fine green needles that take on a lovely bronze-red hue in winter. Not sure what gardening zone you are in? Check the USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone Map.
Dwarf Japanese cedar thrives in full sun to part shade and moist, acidic, well-draining soil, and prefers an open, sunny location and protection from drying winds.
Is Dwarf Japanese Cedar Deer- Resistant?
Dwarf Japanese cedar is a deer-resistant shrub, and deer tend to avoid its soft, finely textured green foliage.
Rutgers University rates Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) as “seldom severely damaged” on its list of Landscape Plants Rated by Deer Resistance.
While no plant is completely deer-proof, deer are less likely to browse dwarf Japanese cedar, making it a great choice for gardeners in need of a deer resistant evergreen shrub.
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 3+ 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 cedar is 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), and follow the manufacturer’s application instructions. Avoid fertilizing in late summer or early fall, since 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.
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Don’t worry if you spot spider webs on the soft needles of your dwarf Japanese cedar - they’re harmless! In fact, spiders are doing you a favor by helping to control pests in your garden, so leave them be.
How Big Does Dwarf Japanese Cedar Get?
Dwarf Japanese cedar is a dwarf cultivar of the larger Japanese cedar tree (Cryptomeria japonica). It is a smaller, more compact shrub with a rounded growth habit.
Dwarf Japanese cedar grows at a slow pace, typically adding just 2–3 inches per year, and will gradually reach 4–8 feet tall and wide over a period of many years. Its growth rate can vary based on climate, soil quality, and overall 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 from the center of one plant to the center of the next plant). This closer 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 4-5 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 specimen 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.
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 Monet Purple Effect® (Weigela florida 'Verweig8'): A ground cover or edging plant with variegated foliage and purple flowers.
Low Scape Mount® Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM165'): A low-growing ground cover shrub with spring flowers, berries, and bright red fall color.
Deutzia Yuki Cherry Blossom® (Deutzia x 'NCDX2'): Small ground cover shrub with delicate pink spring flowers.
Winecraft® Black Smokebush (Cotinus coggygria 'NCCO1'): A larger shrub with almost-black leaves, misty “smoke”-like summer flowers, and stunning red to orange fall color.
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.
How to Prune Dwarf Japanese Cedar
The dwarf Japanese cedar is a low-maintenance wonder, naturally forming a soft, domed shape that stays tidy without the need for regular pruning.
While you can remove any dead or damaged branches at any time of year, the plant’s elegant form requires no shaping, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who prefer a hands-off approach!
Careful siting is key - by planting it in a spot where it has room to reach its mature size of 4 to 8 feet tall and wide, you’ll allow it to grow freely without being crowded, and the need for pruning will be completely eliminated.
This dwarf Japanese cedar has winter damage from drying winds - simply snip off the browned branches to keep it looking its best.