Lawson’s cypress ‘Columnaris’ 20/40cm (1L)

Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Columnaris’ is a stunning evergreen conifer that adds formal structure to gardens. This particular variety is valued for its slender, upright growth pattern, making it perfect for creating strong vertical features. The compact, vertical branches are covered in delicate, scale-like leaves that display blue-green to grey-green tones, providing colour and texture throughout the year. When fully grown, it forms a narrow, tower-like shape reaching 8-12 metres tall whilst staying just 1-1.5 metres wide. This tidy growth makes it perfect for compact gardens or when you need a natural boundary.

The ‘Columnaris’ variety is notable amongst Lawson’s Cypresses for its remarkably tight, upright development. Rather than becoming patchy or sparse like some conifers as they age, this type keeps its thick foliage from base to tip throughout its lifetime, making it brilliant for screening or windbreaks even in tight spots. The leaves grow in flat clusters, giving the tree a somewhat feathery appearance that balances its formal outline.

What makes Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Columnaris’ particularly attractive is how easy it is to look after. After it gets going, it needs very little trimming to keep its shape, naturally developing its typical column-like appearance. This makes it spot-on for gardeners wanting a structural plant that won’t need loads of work.

Garden designers and keen gardeners regularly pick this variety because it’s so adaptable. You can plant it on its own as a statement piece, group several together for thick screening or windbreaks, or work it into formal garden schemes as a living structural feature. Its slim profile makes it especially handy in smaller town gardens where every bit of space counts.

For anyone keen on wildlife-friendly gardens, whilst ‘Columnaris’ might not support as much wildlife as some native trees, its thick foliage can provide shelter and nesting spots for small birds. The tree’s knack for creating protected spots can also help other plants and creatures in the garden.

If you want a tree that gives year-round backbone, graceful shape, and doesn’t need much fuss, Lawson’s Cypress ‘Columnaris’ fits the bill perfectly. It works well in both classic and modern garden styles, adding evergreen elegance to all sorts of gardens.

Caring for Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Columnaris’ is relatively straightforward. Plant it in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. It prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils but can adapt to a range of soil types as long as they’re not waterlogged. Water regularly when first planted to help establish a strong root system. Once established, it’s relatively drought-tolerant but will appreciate deep watering during prolonged dry spells. Fertilisation is generally not necessary unless the soil is particularly poor. Pruning is minimal – remove any dead or damaged branches as needed, but avoid heavy pruning as this can disrupt the tree’s natural columnar form.

Ultimate height
8–12 metres

Time to ultimate height
20–50 years

Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres