Hondai Thujopsis. For a species that is one of the major timber trees of Japan, one will be astonished at the low profile of this plant. It is reported to reach 100' in its native Japan, but this selection has made for us a compact mound which is broader than high, 2' x 3.5'. It is reported that it will eventually develop a leader and start growing rapidly upward, but the selection that we have has maintained a gorgeous spreading dark green compact shrub in almost total shade for upwards of 30 years. It is planted beside one of our nursery container beds in dense shade with overhead irrigation every day during the warmer months, and we have never experienced any root rot problems or fungus problems in its foliage. It has impressive fan-like fronds which layer in a delicate fern-like fashion. So if one needs a conifer for shade, this is the plant.
Zones 5-8
