THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



THE WHITE CEDAR AND ITS RELATIVES 



Here are included our common white cedar, Chamaecyparis 

 thyoides, the yellow cedar, C. nootkatensis, the Port Orford 

 cedar, C. Lazvsoniana, and the Japanese plants commonly known 

 as retinisporas. These last are known as Retinispora obtusa 

 and R. pisifera, and from them, by selection and cultiva- 

 tion, have been derived a host of forms, including some of 

 our most valued ornamental evergreens. Under cultivation 

 the species are usually of much lower stature than in their 

 wild state, thus lending themselves readily to various kinds of 

 ornamental and decorative planting. It is these derived forms, 

 interesting and unusual on account of color or peculiarities of 

 growth, that are of especial value from the standpoint of horti- 

 culture and landscape gardening. Some of the forms are well 

 adapted to formal work, and others, of a dwarf habit, are very 

 useful in rockeries. The more desirable forms will be enume- 

 rated below under each species. 



Chamaecyparis ohtnsa, C. pisifcra, and C. nootkatensis are 

 hardy, in sheltered -situations, as far north as New England, while 

 C. Laivsoniana can be grown with satisfaction only south of the 

 latitude of New York City ; C. thyoides is hardy much farther 

 north than any of the others. 



A light sandy loam, somewhat moist but well-drained, suits 

 them best. C. obtusa and C. Lazvsoniana will stand somewhat 

 drier situations than the others, while C. thyoides is the only 

 one which will grow in swampy or very wet places. A position 

 of partial shade is grateful to them, and to secure the best results 

 they must be protected from dry winds, which are especially 

 destructive in late winter and early spring, before root-action 

 has been reestablished. 



They may be propagated by seeds, cuttings, and graftins^. 

 Seeds should be sown in the early spring. Cuttings, which should 

 be made from mature wood in the fall, are best placed in sandy 

 loam and kept in cold frames or a cool greenhouse during the 

 winter. A gentle bottom heat early in the spring will hasten 

 the formation of roots. For the propagation of the various 

 horticultural forms the method of cuttings should be adopted, 



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