The Slender Hinoki Cypress is a stately coniferous tree native to Japan and Taiwan. Its unusual appearance features soft, flattened sprays of deep green foliage that take on a bronze hue in winter. With its delicate and elegant presence, this tree is a great choice as a focal point in the garden.

We have a couple of them – one planted early on in our homeownership behind the garage (then later moved back further in the landscape), another planted later in front of the garage. Though not more than 600 feet apart, the two trees are in vastly different environments. The tree in front of the garage gets far more sun, and as such is much more full and compact. The one behind the garage (recently moved to the backyard) is more open with longer branches. Both are beautiful, but the sun-drenched one looks more robust and attractive. I recently planted a Pixie Japanese Maple near the one in the back which turned out to be a fabulous pairing.