Description Family Cupressaceae Originating from East Asia A striking, upright evergreen conifer with soft, creamy-yellow variegation. Tiny, round cones dot the branches year-round, adding subtle texture. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in any soil in full sun. A graceful yet bold conifer, Cryptomeria japonica Sekkan Sugi, the Japanese Cedar, rises with rare, luminous charm. Its feathery needles glow creamy-yellow, softening to pale green in summer. This cultivar shines in Suffolk and Norfolk’s sheltered gardens, reaching 3-5m tall and 2-3m wide in 20 years. Prized for its vivid colour, it holds a golden hue through winter, lifting dreary days. Uniquely, its venerable-looking, elegant habit is typical of the species’ sacred Japanese status. Its soft and billowing crown sways gently, with dense foliage offering year-round elegance. It prefers sunny, protected spots—perfect as a striking focal point or colourful backdrop in smaller spaces. Care Tips for Cryptomeria japonica Sekkan Sugi Soil & Sun: Grows well in any soil; full sun for brightest colour, tolerates light shade Planting: Space to honour its upright spread—shelter from harsh winds boosts growth Watering: Steady moisture while young, then drought-hardy once settled Pruning: Minimal—trim lightly in late winter to shape or tidy. Alternatively, remove lower branches to expose its peeling cinnamon-coloured bark and evoke an oriental style. Height and spread after 3 – 4 years 1.5m x 1m Semi mature height and spread after 10 – 12 years 3m x2m Potential mature height and spread after 20 years 6m x 3m Radiant and refined, Cryptomeria japonica Sekkan Sugi blends rarity with timeless poise. Consequently, it makes a standout specimen for gardeners seeking elegance in Norfolk and Suffolk’s sunny, sheltered landscapes. Furthermore its soft yet striking, glowing crown suits contemporary gardens or lush woodland planting schemes alike. Planting suggestions for the Japanese Cedar, Cryptomeria japonica ‘Sekkan Sugi’ Sugi, as Cryptomerias are known in Japanese, are one of the five sacred Kiso trees, revered at Shinto shrines. The serene character of the cultivar ‘Sekkan Sugi’ is ideally suited to minimalist oriental compositions, thus it is more than capable of taking centre stage with only low-growing woodland species near it. Species that create carpets, perhaps around mossy stones, allowing the Sugi to be predominant such as Euonymus fortunei ‘Kewensis’, Pachysandra terminalis ‘Green Sheen’, Pachysandra terminalis ‘Variegata’, or the perfect, mossy Soleirolia soleirolii, will complement it without competing. Its stunning colours and strong evergreen structure make it an ideal specimen for contemporary gardens where it can be used in large planters or in the ground, set amongst other shapely species such as Calocedrus decurrens, Arbutus unedo, or Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Bannow Bay’. For a remarkable read about Japan’s Sacred Shinto trees visit https://ies.bio/world/the-phenomenality-of-sacred-shinto-trees/
