Wells Special Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Wells Special')
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Wells Special' is a cultivar of Hinoki Cypress, prized for its unique foliage color and compact, pyramidal form. Here's an overview of this cultivar:
Characteristics:
Foliage: The foliage of 'Wells Special' is one of its most distinctive features. It typically displays a blend of green, gold, and bronze hues throughout the year, creating a striking and vibrant appearance. The foliage consists of scale-like leaves arranged in flattened sprays, contributing to the overall texture and density of the plant.
Form: This cultivar typically grows in a compact, pyramidal form with a dense and uniform habit. It maintains its shape well without much pruning, making it an excellent choice for formal garden settings or as a focal point in the landscape.
Size: 'Wells Special' Hinoki Cypress typically reaches a mature height of 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) with a spread of 3 to 6 feet (0.9 to 1.8 meters). Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens, foundation plantings, or as a specimen plant in mixed borders.
Growth Rate: This cultivar is relatively slow-growing, adding only a few inches of growth per year. Its slow growth rate contributes to its dense and compact habit, making it an excellent choice for landscaping where space is limited.
Environmental Requirements:
Sunlight: Plant 'Wells Special' in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. While it can tolerate some shade, it typically thrives in full sun, which encourages dense growth and vibrant foliage color.
Soil: Provide well-draining soil with good fertility. Hinoki Cypresses prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil that is moist but well-drained. Amending the soil with organic matter such as compost can improve soil structure and fertility.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the plant's establishment period after planting. Once established, 'Wells Special' is relatively drought tolerant but benefits from regular watering during dry spells.
Pruning: Prune 'Wells Special' as needed to maintain its desired shape and size. It typically requires minimal pruning, but you can remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches to promote healthy growth.
Landscape Uses:
Specimen Plant: Plant 'Wells Special' as a standalone specimen in mixed borders, rock gardens, or Japanese-style gardens to showcase its unique foliage color and compact form.
Formal Garden: Use 'Wells Special' in formal garden designs as a focal point or to create symmetry and structure within the landscape.
Container Planting: Due to its compact size and slow growth rate, 'Wells Special' can be grown in containers on patios, decks, or balconies, adding year-round color and interest to outdoor spaces.
Overall, 'Wells Special' Hinoki Cypress is an eye-catching and low-maintenance evergreen shrub with unique foliage coloration and a compact, pyramidal form, making it an excellent choice for a variety of landscaping applications.