Japanese Cedar 'Black Dragon'

'Black Dragon' is a slow-growing, compact evergreen with a truly unique appearance. It forms an irregular, upright pyramid of dense, dark green foliage that is almost black in certain lights. The needles are thick and curved, arranged in clusters that give the branches a tufted, "dragon-like" appearance. New growth in spring emerges a light pea-green, providing a sharp contrast against the deep, dark shades of the older foliage. This cultivar is fully hardy (H6) and reaches about 2 metres in height over 10-15 years, making it suitable for medium-sized gardens. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil in a position sheltered from drying winds, which can brown the needle tips. It makes an excellent specimen for a Japanese-themed garden or as a moody, structural element in a mixed border. It requires no pruning to maintain its dark, craggy charm.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.