Cupressaceae - Botanical Family

Japanese cedar is the national tree of Japan, commonly planted around temples, with many hugely impressive trees planted centuries ago. It can be difficult to grow from seed.

Fokienia hodginsii is an evergreen tree, 25-30 m tall. It has greyish-brownish bark that peels off when the tree is young. On older trees, the bark presents longitudinal fissures and becomes aromatic. The leaves are arranged in flattened branchlet systems, with the branchlets in one plane.

The tree does not tolerate shade, and requires mild climate and abundant rainfall to grow best.

This hardy and low-maintenance plant is native to Northeast Asia and can be used for bonsai. It's an evergreen conifer bearing blue-green cones and foliage of both juvenile and adult leaves. The needles of young growth are wedge shaped with sharp points and arranged in sets of two or three. Adult leaves are diamond shaped, overlapping flat on the twigs in four ranks like fish scales. There are many various cultivars with different growth habit, foliage color and needle types.

Juniperus chinensis grows into a large shrub up to 5-10 ft tall and can also become a small tree of 10-20 ft or even bigger than 20 ft tall. It needs full sun and moderate water for optimal growth. The mature plant is suitable for USDA Zones 4-10.

Growing Chinese juniper in colder regions (in pot for instance) can be quite challenging since it needs both cold and warmth. In winter, put the pot in a sheltered place and wrap the pot with insulating material to avoid freezing. In summer, the plant should receive full sun exposure and regular watering. Additionally, regular pruning is needed to maintain its shape.

Juniperus is a genus of evergreen conifers in the cypress family (Cupressaceae), valued for their aromatic foliage, hardiness, and wide landscape adaptability. Native across much of the Northern Hemisphere - from arid deserts and rocky mountains to cold temperate forests and coastal habitats - the genus encompasses low spreading groundcovers, upright shrubs, and large long-lived trees, making it one of the most horticulturally versatile conifer groups.

Foliage varies by species and age: juvenile leaves are often sharp and needle-like, while mature growth tends to become scale-like and closely pressed to the stems. Coloration ranges from deep green to blue-gray, silver, yellow-green, and glaucous blue. Many species also produce berry-like seed cones - commonly called juniper berries that mature to blue, purple, or black, and are prized for ornamental, culinary, or aromatic purposes.

Juniperus species generally prefer full sun, excellent drainage, and moderate to low moisture once established. Many are highly tolerant of drought, wind, poor soils, and temperature extremes, making them widely used in xeriscaping, erosion control, bonsai culture, and formal landscape design. Cold tolerance varies by species, but the genus includes some of the most cold-hardy evergreens available, with coverage spanning USDA Zones 2-11.

Taxodium distichum, commonly known as Bald cypress is a deciduous conifer native to swamps and wetlands of the Florida and Southeastern United States. A beautiful ornamental large tree, it typically reaches heights of tall 20 ft or more and is naturally very symmetrical in shape. It is commonly used in landscaping to line avenues and frame parks.

Taxodium distichum can also tolerate harsh environmental conditions, such as temperature extremes and extreme light or water levels. It is flood tolerant and even grows near sea-level in some areas, where it can tolerate salt spray. In colder regions, growing Taxodium distichum in a pot is possible. Ensure the soil is kept moist and provide plenty of direct sunlight. In cold climates, the soil should be mixed with compost, which helps create a warmer, more moist environment for the tree.

Taxodium distichum grows in USDA Zones 4-9. The tree offers interest in the landscape all year round. The foliage is a light to medium green hue in summer and gold, rusty brown and orange colors in autumn. Additionally, its bark is soft and fibrous and exfoliates in strips when mature.

This is a great tree for urban and coastal areas, as it is able to withstand pollution and wind. It may be used in windbreaks and living fences, to give the landscape a unique and colorful touch. Taxodium distichum is an ideal ornamental tree that can be used to shape and create a beautiful landscape.

In Mexico, it is known as Ahuehueta, meaning "old man of the water". This deciduous tree of wetlands has broad, spreading crown with strong, horizontal branches and delicate, weeping branchlets. The leaves are 0.24 to 0.48 inch (6-12 mm) long. The roots of trees growing in standing water often send up conical projections ("knees"). Before the leaves drop, they turn spectacular bright orange to rusty brown. Usually occurs on moist soils along streams, or on low, poorly drained sites. It is drought tolerant when established.

Taxodiumis a genus of one to three species of extremely flood-tolerant conifers in the cypress family. Taxodium species grow pneumatophores, or cypress roots, when growing in or beside water; these are woody projections which rise above the water and are said to help carry oxygen to the root systems.