Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans – Japanese Cedar Elegans

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans, commonly known as Japanese Cedar Elegans, is a distinctive evergreen conifer with seasonal colour changes and soft, textural presence. This cultivar has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its reliability and ornamental value in cultivation in UK gardens and landscapes. Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans provides year-round structure while delivering dramatic colour shifts that set it apart from other Japanese Cedar selections.

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans forms a compact, upright conifer with a gently irregular outline and soft, feathery foliage. In spring and summer, Japanese Cedar Elegans displays cool blue-green tones. During autumn, the foliage develops bronze, red, purple, and orange hues that deepen into winter before softening again in early spring.

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans pairs effectively with companion plants such as Rhododendron, Pieris, Acer palmatum, ornamental grasses, and evergreen groundcover plants, which enhance its seasonal colour and textural qualities throughout the year.

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans is a clearly distinct variety to Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans Viridis and from Cryptomeria Japonica. Elegans shows broader foliage and strong seasonal colour change, while Elegans Viridis has finer leaves and remains predominantly green. The original Cryptomeria Japonica grows much larger and retains a consistently green appearance, making it more suitable for large-scale landscapes.

Height and Spread of Cryptomeria Japonica Egelans

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans typically reaches a height of up to four metres at maturity, forming a balanced and manageable evergreen structure suitable for a wide range of garden settings.

How Hardy is Cryptomeria Japonica Egelans?

Elegans requires minimal pruning and is fully hardy, tolerating frost and winter conditions while maintaining strong seasonal colour. As it tends to have fairly shallow roots, it's best grown in a sheltered postion. 

Uses in Garden and Landscape

Japanese Cedar Elegans is ideal as a specimen tree in woodland gardens, Japanese-style landscapes, and mixed borders, where its seasonal foliage can be fully appreciated from spring through winter.

Care and Maintenance

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans grows best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. It requires minimal pruning and is fully hardy, tolerating frost and winter conditions while maintaining strong seasonal colour.

Heritage and Provenance

The Elegans form of Cryptomeria Japonica was selected for its decorative foliage and seasonal colour change and has become a valued ornamental conifer in European gardens. Its RHS Award of Garden Merit confirms its consistent garden performance.

Cryptomeria Japonica Elegans offers soft texture, rare seasonal colour change, strong hardiness, and year-round structure. With its RHS Award of Garden Merit, Japanese Cedar Elegans remains one of the most decorative and reliable evergreen conifers for modern and traditional gardens.