Black Dragon Cryptomeria

Cryptomeria japonica ‘Black Dragon’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer

Height at Maturity: 8-12′

Width at Maturity: 4-6′

Spacing: 6’+ if used in small groupings

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Pyramidal

Growth Rate: Slow

Flower Color: None

Flower Size: NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: NA

Foliage Color: Rich Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Dappled or Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs: Average, Very low when established

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist, Well Drained Dry, Not Constantly Soggy!

Soil pH: 5.0 – 7.0 ( Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect

Description

A truly unique conifer that deserves a spot in every landscape where it will grow, the ‘Black Dragon’ Cryptomeria is a semi-dwarf, slow-growing Japanese cedar with a unique and irregular shape that will capture everyone’s attention. No two trees look alike, which means your neighbor could never find one that looked like yours! The tree grows in an upright pyramidal form with layered branches covered in very deep green needles that are stiff to the touch. The new foliage emerges bright green, contrasting nicely with the darker mature foliage. New foliage emerges bright green.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 8 to 10 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide at maturity, the Black Dragon Cryptomeria is ideal for use as a focal point specimen in smaller landscape spaces. It is a very nice accent tree in home foundation plantings where it can be used to frame a corner or entryway or between spaced windows. Also nice as a solo or mixed with trailing plants in container gardens.

Spacing Recommendations: 8 feet or more apart for space between plants

Growing Preferences

Cryptomeria is very easy to grow and virtually no maintenance. It is adaptable to many soil types preferring a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. As with many other ornamental trees it does not like a constantly soggy or wet soil, nor an always dry one, though trees have good drought tolerance when well established. We suggest at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best performance. Feed in spring with a well-balanced shrub and tree food that contains iron. No pruning will be necessary.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Cryptomeria.

How To Plant And Care For Cryptomeria Trees

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us

The evergreen arrived quickly and in perfect condition———————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

This Japanese black dragon ?? arrived in excellent shape as every plant. I have ordered from the Wilson Brothers always packed well. Will continue to purchase from the Wilson Brothers.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Very healthy, smaller than I thought they would be, but great shape.———————————————————They will grow in no time. We are glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the nice review! Beth | WBG 🙂

plant arrived in immaculate condition /my request for height was honored; being 75 doesn`t leave much time to see it reach maturity//// delivery was quick./ great nursery folks!!!!!!!—————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I have wanted to purchase this tree for several years and finally I did it! It is still very young but already has great character. It arrived healthy and looks great in the front garden bed.
The Black Dragon is a very dark green tree just like its picture – love it!—————————One of favorites! We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂

I love him so much I want to keep him indoors!!! What a beautiful tree!!! He will be so majestic in the yard when he grows up! So pleased with how healthy he is! Perfectly wrapped and shipped quickly! Thank you so much!! Bravo Wilson Bros. I want more of this beauty ;D——————————————————Thanks so much for the photos, he is beautiful! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy him for years to come! Thanks so much for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I am very happy with the purchase. The plant arrived quickly, well packed, and healthy. I had inquired prior to purchasing the plant as to how tall it was and I received a quick reply.——————————————–We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The tree arrived very well-packaged and quickly. It is narrow and measures about 33” high, which matches the online description. I transplanted it into a bigger pot so It will grow and fill out a little over the summer before planting in the ground this fall. I’ll enjoy watching it grow and look forward to the beauty it will add to my garden.———————————–Thanks so much for the great review! We are so glad you are pleased! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

I placed my first order for three trees. I order a LOT of plants from different companies. My order came quickly, wonderfully packaged and upon opening the boxes I found three very healthy beautiful trees. I realize that ordering online results in tiny plants and was surprised at the generous size. Wilsonbrosgardens will be my first choice for plants in the future.————————————Hi Mary, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! Thanks for the great review!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens

We are very excited about our new trees and were very pleased with how quick we received them. The trees are in excellent condition and were package extremely well. Everything was exactly as stated on the website and they came with instructions. We will definitely order more from Wilson Bros. ————————- WBG Reply: Hi Lora – Thanks so much for your review of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria and we hope you enjoy them for years to come. Thanks also for the compliments! It makes everything we do even more worth the while. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can do for you. We’re at your service! – Brent |Wilson Bros Gardens

Arrived quickly and in great shape. The shape of this Cedar is beautiful, and we are very happy with our purchase. The darker green color of this Cedar blends in so well with the other different shades of green in our yard. Look forward to watching it grow. Happy we found Wilson Bros. online —————————— WBG Reply: Hi Ms. McGrath – Thanks so much for your review of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria and we hope you enjoy it for years to come. It definitely is a beautiful and unique evergreen that always gets a lot of attention from guests who browse our gardens. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

Beautiful, full and healthy Cryptomeria. Very good price for its size. ——————- WBG Reply: Thanks so much for your review of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria and we hope you enjoy it for years to come. Let us know if there’s ever anything else we can help you with. We’re at your service! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens

This tree is small but beautifully grown with a nicely balanced shape from every viewing angle, which is a very big deal with me. Despite its present diminutive size, it is already an eye-catching addition to the garden. I’m sure it will only be more beautiful with age. Would that I could say the same about myself! ————————– WBG Reply: Hi Deborah – Thanks for your review of the Black Dragon Cryptomeria. Yes, this is a slow-growing cultivar so comes a bit smaller than most of our other plants. But what it lacks in growth rate it makes up for in appearance and form! Hope you enjoy yours for years to come and let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you. – Brooks | Wilson Bros Gardens

Was very happy to receive two black dragons in perfect condition. Great quality for the price. Will definitely buy more from you guys. ——————- WBG Reply: – Hi John – Thanks so much for your review and for the compliments. We do our best to offer the best plants at the best price. Hope you enjoy your Black Dragon Cryptomeria for years to come! Let us know if there’s every anything else we can help you with. – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens