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.

Succulent Container Gardens Great Kindle Book, Download Today. 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.