Cryptomeria - The Black Dragon Tree
The
Cryptomeria is a stunning evergreen
confier for any style garden or landscape area.
The Black Dragon is a popular tree to use as a
back drop or privacy area.
The Black Dragon
will grow well in zones five through nine.
The tree is frost hardy and thrives in full sun to partial shade.
It is a fast grower, and will mature twelve
feet high and up to six feet wide.
This specie loves well drained soil and will be pleased
with any natural rain. One of the unique features of this
plant family is its unique textured needles. I love to design the Black Dragon
where you can have it as a focal point in a garden or landscape. This specie also
is great as an accent.
Needle like leaves in spring are light brilliant green tones
and as the temperatures warm up, the needles
turn into a rich, deeper green color.
There are male
(pollen) and female (seed) cones on one tree.
In spring these cones release a wealth of pollen
into the air.
The Cryptomeria is native to Japan
and China, but many cultivators are grown all over
the world. In Japan, this specimen is used for lumber,
but also recognized in many historical gardens and
groves.
There are so many different ideas for
planting the Black Dragon, or any other of the varieties
of this plant family. In the examples of landscape
design section, there is a simple design I did for a
client on
options to landscape a small bank area.
The Black Dragon
staggered along a berm with some other
evergreen trees or ornamental shrubs, creates a
colorful appearance. Propagation is from seed, but also can be
grown from cuttings for the cultivators.
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Great book to learn about succulent gardens. The Black Dragon can be a wonderful backdrop for the succulent garden.
The Cryptomeria family has a dwarf variety
called the
Globosa Nana.
This is a a great choice as another option
if you are planting along a
foundation.
The Globosa Nana has shiny bright blue -
green needles. It grows around three
feet tall and two to four feet wide. Some
people call this the funky shrub as the tiny
long leaves have a wild look to them.
This dwarf will grow well in full sun or part shade.
A great plant in zones five through seven.
Either the Cryptomeria or the Globosa Nana will compliment the Loropetalum.
The rich tones of purple and green in
the evergreen Loropetalum will ignite
colors and textures of the Black Dragon
or Globosa Nana.
The Black Dragon also
serves as a great wind break in a backyard
setting or in a flat and open area. This specie
can be used as an accent tree, or a focal
point in any specific garden area.
The Black Dragon is a great
choice if it is suitable for your geographic
location. It is considered a low maintenance
tree, and also would be a great addition to
your landscape investment.