Lawson Cypress ‘Pearly Swirls’ (1L)

The Lawson Cypress ‘Pearly Swirls’ Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is a charming evergreen conifer that adds whimsical elegance to gardens. This variety is loved for its striking creamy-white variegated foliage, which creates a beautiful swirling, pearl-like appearance, making it perfect for gardeners wanting to introduce year-round colour and interesting texture to their space.

‘Pearly Swirls’ has a slow to moderate growth habit, usually growing around 10-15cm each year. It reaches heights of 2-3 metres in time, forming a compact, narrow conical to pyramidal shape that provides lovely vertical interest. This neat form makes it perfect for smaller to medium gardens, whether as a feature plant or as part of mixed borders and container displays.

The foliage is what really makes this tree special. The small, scale-like leaves combine green and creamy-white colours in a swirling arrangement that looks almost like it’s moving. This lovely variegation stays strong all year, with the creamy-white sections looking especially beautiful in winter, bringing a bright, pearl-like shine to gardens during duller months.

‘Pearly Swirls’ is tougher than it looks. It suits our climate well and grows happily in both full sun and partial shade, though it shows its best colours in full sun. It likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil but adapts to different soil conditions. It also copes well with urban environments, making it suitable for various garden situations.

Gardeners choose this conifer for its unusual colouring and neat shape. It works brilliantly as a standout feature plant, where its swirling, variegated leaves create a real talking point. Plant several together to make a soft, colourful screen or hedge. It fits beautifully into both contemporary and traditional garden styles, bringing year-round brightness and elegance.

Those interested in wildlife will find that the thick growth of ‘Pearly Swirls’ offers good shelter for small birds and insects, particularly during winter months. The compact shape provides protection from bad weather and predators.

For gardeners wanting a low-maintenance, striking evergreen that provides year-round interest, Lawson Cypress ‘Pearly Swirls’ is a brilliant option. Its gorgeous variegated leaves and graceful shape bring pearl-like beauty to any garden, making an appealing feature that looks good through all seasons.

Lawson Cypress ‘Pearly Swirls’ is relatively easy to care for, which is good news for UK gardeners. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it’s adaptable to various soil types. When you first plant it, water regularly for the first growing season to help it establish. After that, it appreciates consistent moisture but can tolerate short periods of drought. Feed it with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring if desired, but it generally doesn’t require much feeding. Pruning isn’t usually necessary unless you want to maintain a specific shape or size. If you need to prune, do it in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Ultimate height
1 metre

Time to ultimate height
10 years

Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres

🇬🇧 UK Grown. Approx 20-40cm in a 1 litre pot.