Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’ – 3Ltr Pot

Introduce beautiful texture and seasonal colour to your garden with Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’, an attractive evergreen conifer originating from Japan. This distinctive variety is admired for its soft, feathery foliage, naturally rounded growth habit and cloud-like appearance. Its foliage develops attractive shades of purple during autumn, adding extra interest as the seasons change. Supplied in a 3-litre pot, it is an excellent choice for ornamental borders, Japanese-inspired gardens and contemporary planting schemes.

Key Features

• Soft, Feathery Foliage: Fine, fluffy-looking evergreen foliage creates a distinctive, cloud-like texture.

• Seasonal Purple Colour: Foliage develops attractive purple tones in autumn and winter.

• Compact, Rounded Habit: Forms a dense, rounded shrub with a naturally sculptural appearance.

• Japanese Garden Character: Ideal for oriental-inspired gardens and contemporary landscape designs.

• Versatile Pruning: Can be lightly trimmed or shaped to complement formal and informal planting schemes.

• Year-Round Interest: Provides evergreen structure with additional seasonal colour.

• Adaptable and Hardy: Suitable for a range of garden conditions, including coastal locations.

• Supplied in a 3Ltr Pot: An established young plant ready for planting in a suitable outdoor position.

Product Description

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’ is a distinctive ornamental conifer valued for its unusual foliage texture and graceful, rounded form. Originating from Japan, this member of the Cupressaceae family brings a soft, sculptural quality to garden planting, making it an excellent contrast to plants with bolder leaves or more architectural shapes.

Its fine, feathery foliage forms dense, billowing clouds of greenery, giving the shrub a naturally textured appearance. As autumn arrives, the foliage develops varying shades of soft purple, creating a beautiful seasonal display. These changing tones add depth and interest to borders, rockeries and Japanese-inspired gardens, particularly when combined with evergreen shrubs, ornamental grasses and decorative stone.

This compact variety is suitable for use as a feature plant, a textural backdrop or part of a carefully designed mixed border. Its naturally rounded shape can be enjoyed without regular shaping, or it can be lightly pruned to maintain a particular outline. This versatility makes it equally appealing in relaxed naturalistic settings and more structured contemporary gardens.

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’ is adaptable to a range of soil types and can tolerate coastal exposure. For best results, choose a position with suitable drainage and provide regular watering while the plant establishes.

It typically reaches around 1 metre in height and spread after ten years, eventually developing into a larger shrub of approximately 2.5 metres tall and wide over 20–30 years, depending on growing conditions. Its gradual development makes it a rewarding long-term addition to the garden.

Supplied in a 3-litre pot, this attractive Japanese conifer is ideal for gardeners seeking unusual foliage, seasonal colour and lasting ornamental structure.

Specifications

• Botanical Name: Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’

• Common Name: Compact Japanese Cedar

• Plant Family: Cupressaceae

• Origin: Japan

• Plant Type: Evergreen coniferous shrub

• Pot Size: 3-litre pot

• Foliage: Soft, fine and feathery

• Seasonal Colour: Green foliage developing purple tones in autumn

• Growth Habit: Dense, rounded and cloud-like

• Approximate Height and Spread After 10 Years: 1m × 1m

• Approximate Mature Height and Spread After 20–30 Years: 2.5m × 2.5m

• Soil Type: Adaptable to a range of soil types

• Position: A suitable outdoor garden position with good growing conditions

• Exposure: Can tolerate coastal conditions

• Pruning: Responds well to pruning and shaping

• Suitable Uses: Japanese gardens, contemporary borders, specimen planting and ornamental shrub displays

Care Tips

• Choose a Suitable Position: Select a garden location that provides enough space for the shrub to develop its rounded form.

• Prepare the Soil: Cryptomeria is adaptable to different soil types; ensure the planting area drains suitably.

• Water During Establishment: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the root zone consistently moist while the plant establishes.

• Monitor During Dry Weather: Water during prolonged dry spells, particularly while the plant is young.

• Prune to Shape if Desired: Lightly trim to maintain a rounded outline or create a more structured ornamental form.

• Avoid Excessive Cutting: Although it responds well to pruning, avoid cutting deeply into old, bare wood.

• Make the Most of Seasonal Colour: Combine with dark green evergreens or contrasting foliage plants to highlight its autumn purple tones.

• Allow Room for Maturity: Leave sufficient space for the shrub to reach its potential size of approximately 2.5 metres in height and spread.

Choose Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Compacta’ for its soft, cloud-like foliage, attractive seasonal purple tones and naturally rounded shape. Supplied in a 3-litre pot, this distinctive Japanese conifer makes a beautiful feature in ornamental borders, contemporary landscapes and oriental-inspired gardens, offering year-round texture and long-lasting appeal.

The plant's growth rate and size will vary depending on planting position & conditions. Bloom, foliage and interest may vary from photo upon delivery, dependant on season.

Delivery Note: Please note that unfortunately we are currently unable to deliver plants to Northern Ireland.