Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissels Saguaro Lawsons Cypress

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro, commonly known as Lawson’s Cypress Wissel’s Saguaro, is a refined evergreen conifer. Slow-growing and sculptural, it adds striking vertical definition and year-round structure to gardens. Wissel's Saguaro is one of many cultivars of the popular US native conifer family Lawson’s Cypress.

This upright cultivar of Lawson’s Cypress has a distinctive, columnar habit resembling the form of the desert saguaro cactus. The branches are few and upwardly curved, creating a clean architectural outline. Its foliage is a deep, dark green and maintains consistent colour through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, ensuring all-season appeal. The minimal branching gives it a sculptural silhouette that draws the eye and complements both formal and natural settings.

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro provides interest throughout the year, standing tall in winter while enhancing spring and summer borders with its dark contrast. It pairs attractively with companion plants such as Pittosporum tenuifolium, Nandina domestica, and ornamental grasses like Stipa tenuissima. In shaded gardens, it blends seamlessly with Helleborus and ferns, adding vertical interest without crowding lower layers of planting.

Originating in the Netherlands, Wissel’s Saguaro is a cultivated selection of Lawson’s Cypress admired for its unusual cactus-like form. Its introduction brought a new aesthetic dimension to conifer planting, uniting modern style with natural grace. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit affirms its excellence and reliability in gardens across diverse climates.

Height & Width of Lawson’s Cypress Wissel’s Saguaro:

After ten years of growth, Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro typically reaches a height of around two metres and a spread of approximately seventy centimetres. Its slow, steady rate of growth allows it to maintain a graceful outline and stay proportionate within confined garden spaces or mixed designs.

How hardy is Lawson’s Cypress Wissel’s Saguaro?

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro is fully hardy throughout the UK and Northern Europe, tolerating frost, wind, and exposure with ease while retaining its dense, dark foliage even in severe winter conditions.

Uses in Garden Design:

Lawson’s Cypress Wissel’s Saguaro is valued for its strong vertical shape and distinctive silhouette. It is ideal as a focal specimen in minimalist landscapes, formal planting schemes, or contemporary gardens. The dark evergreen foliage serves as a perfect foil for flowering shrubs and lighter foliage plants, offering depth and contrast all year. In coastal or exposed areas, it stands resilient against wind and cold. Its evergreen strength ensures structure through winter while highlighting colour in spring and summer, making it a versatile component in year-round planting plans.

Care & Maintenance: 

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers moist but well-drained soil. It requires minimal maintenance, needing only occasional shaping to retain its narrow habit. Pruning should be light and performed in late spring. The plant is tolerant of cold winters and occasional drought once established, maintaining its dense foliage and rich colour without special care.

Chamaecyparis Lawsoniana Wissel’s Saguaro is a striking, slow-growing conifer celebrated for its sculptural habit and year-round evergreen colour. With its vertical emphasis, deep green tones, and resilient nature, it enhances gardens of all styles. Its Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit underscores its enduring quality and proven garden performance.