'Shiva' white cypress is a woody, needled evergreen tree or shrub in the Cupressaceae (cypress family). It is a semi-dwarf pyramidal cultivar of the Atlantic white cypress developed in 1967 that slowly grows to 5 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai , for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos , for cypress. It requires full sun to partial shade and moist, fertile soil with good drainage. However, it tolerates soil that is occasionally wet. Shelter it from strong winds. Propagate it by grafting or root cutting. “Shiva’ maintains a central leader (main trunk) and has feathery blue-green to gray-green foliage that acquires coppery-brown tones in winter. Be aware that it may brown in the center. Use it in foundation plantings, rain gardens, hedges, or lawns. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. It does have some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot, and certain insect pests such as bagworms. See Clemson's publication on root rot . This tree is frequently damaged by white tailed deer. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis thyoides .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Juniperus scopulorumThuja occidentalis 'Degroot' s Spire'
Native alternativesJuniperus communis var. depressa
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Pyramidal
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Blue; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Short, needle-like leaves with feathery, blue-green foliage that turns brownish in winter.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower form
Insignificant
Fruit detail
Forms non-showy cones
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn
Landscape theme
Rain Garden
Design feature
Foundation Planting; Hedge; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #blue green needles #wet soils tolerant #full sun tolerant #feathery leaves #winter color bronze #low maintenance #slow growing #semi-dwarf #lawn planting #pyramidal #needled evergreen #rain garden #hedge