For a fast-growing evergreen conifer that brings four-season interest, Proven Winners® Cedar Rapids® False Cypress (Chamaecyparis thyoides 'Cedar Rapids') delivers soaring vertical elegance, soft blue-green feathery foliage, and natural columnar form.

The aromatic, thread-like needles add a sense of movement and texture, while the upright branches and dense habit make it a valuable alternative to overused columnar Arborvitae or Juniper. Its finely textured, airy sprays provide year-round visual interest and shelter for birds and small wildlife.

Cedar Rapids® False Cypress boasts deep green foliage in summer, which may take on a silvery or bronze cast in winter. Its layered structure and vertical grace make it an ideal backdrop or specimen in any landscape.

Key Features

• Fast-growing, narrow columnar evergreen
• Feathery, soft, fragrant blue-green foliage
• Year-round color with winter bronzing
• Cold-hardy, heat-tolerant & deer-resistant
• Great for wet sites, screens, and vertical accents

Cultural History & Fun Facts

Native to North American wetlands and swamps, False Cypress (Chamaecyparis thyoides) has long been valued for its fragrant wood and rot-resistant timber. While not a true Cypress, it belongs to the Cupressaceae family. Cedar Rapids® is a cultivated variety selected for its improved vigor, columnar habit, and ornamental foliage color.

This tree has no known medicinal history but serves a valuable ecological role. In its native range, it provides cover for birds, including warblers and other songbirds. In modern landscapes, it is appreciated for its minimal pruning needs, pest resistance, and elegant structure.

Landscaping Uses

This low-maintenance, cold-hardy, heat-tolerant, deer-resistant evergreen is a favorite for privacy screens, foundation planting, and windbreaks. Cedar Rapids® False Cypress brings bold vertical texture and rich evergreen color to any landscape design:

• Privacy screens and windbreaks
• Vertical accents in foundation plantings
• Backgrounds for perennial or Rose gardens
• Focal points in conifer gardens
• Rain gardens or moist soil areas
• Year-round hedging with little pruning required

Pair it with Deer-resistant annuals, Hostas, Hydrangea bushes, or Karl Foerster grass for soft contrast in foliage and form.

Care & Maintenance

Thriving in full sun and moist, well-drained soils, this native selection grows quickly, topping out at up to 30 feet tall and just 12-15 feet wide. False Cypress is easy to grow with a few key needs:

• Planting Time: Spring or fall planting is best to establish roots before extreme heat or cold
• Sun Requirements: Full sun for best density, color, and vigor
• Soil Requirements: Prefers slightly acidic, moist, well-drained soils; tolerates wet soils once established; avoid prolonged drought or dry sandy soils
• Moisture Needs: Keep evenly moist while establishing; use the Finger Test to check soil moisture
• Arborist Mulch: Apply a 3-4 inch layer of arborist mulch around the root zone, keeping it a few inches from the trunk
• Fertilization Needs: Feed in early spring with a slow-release evergreen fertilizer or composted organic matter
• Pruning Info: Rarely needs pruning; shape or lightly shear in early spring if desired, but avoid cutting into old wood
• Renewal Pruning: Not needed due to its naturally tidy habit
• Special Perks/Growing Tips:
  • Deer-resistant
  • Tolerant of urban pollution
  • Thrives in high humidity and poorly drained soils
  • No known pest or disease issues
  • Excellent for soggy sites where other evergreens struggle

Evergreen Elegance That Reaches For The Sky

Cedar Rapids® False Cypress brings fast-growing evergreen height, texture, and refined beauty to any landscape. With its low-maintenance care and towering form, it's the perfect choice for privacy, style, and resilience in tough garden spots. Order your Proven Winners® Cedar Rapids® False Cypress and start enjoying vertical greenery and year-round beauty from NatureHills.com!