Pygmy Cypress
Hesperocyparis pygmaea
Also listed as Cupressus pygmaea, Cupressus silbae
Also known as Gowen Cypress, Mendocino Cypress, North Coast Cypress
Climate Match for your location
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A dwarf coniferous tree with feathery, bright green foliage that turns bronze or copper in winter. Extremely slow-growing and suitable for rock gardens, containers, and small landscapes.
Why grow it
Pygmy Cypress is notably slower-growing and more compact than most other dwarf conifers, making it useful where extreme restraint is needed in small spaces or container gardens. Its foliage color shift from green to bronze in cool months provides seasonal visual interest without requiring pruning to maintain form. For permaculture systems, it can serve as a slow-establishing structural element in rock gardens or mixed perennial borders where minimal maintenance is preferred.
Watch out for
This species prefers well-draining soil and consistent moisture during establishment; it does not tolerate waterlogging or persistent drought equally well. In warmer or more humid climates outside its native coastal California range, it may struggle with fungal issues or root stress, so site selection and air circulation matter considerably. Expect it to take many years to reach full size, which requires patience when planning garden sequences.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California coast (Mendocino County)
Native to: California
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A dwarf coniferous tree with feathery, bright green foliage that turns bronze or copper in winter. Extremely slow-growing and suitable for rock gardens, containers, and small landscapes.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Pygmy Cypress grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Pygmy Cypress is notably slower-growing and more compact than most other dwarf conifers, making it useful where extreme restraint is needed in small spaces or container gardens. Its foliage color shift from green to bronze in cool months provides seasonal visual interest without requiring pruning to maintain form. For permaculture systems, it can serve as a slow-establishing structural element in rock gardens or mixed perennial borders where minimal maintenance is preferred.
Watch out for
This species prefers well-draining soil and consistent moisture during establishment; it does not tolerate waterlogging or persistent drought equally well. In warmer or more humid climates outside its native coastal California range, it may struggle with fungal issues or root stress, so site selection and air circulation matter considerably. Expect it to take many years to reach full size, which requires patience when planning garden sequences.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cupressaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California coast (Mendocino County)
Native to: California
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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