Sawara Cypress 'Shiva'
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Shiva'
Pickup available at Aiken Nursery
Usually ready in 2-4 days
A silvery, soft-textured juvenile-foliage form with an unusual and well-documented history. 'Shiva' was originally presumed to be Chamaecyparis thyoides, the Atlantic white cedar, but now appears to be a form of Chamaecyparis pisifera, the sawara cypress of Japan. The plant was found as a seedling on Cape Cod by Rekha Morris of Pendleton, South Carolina, and introduced by Clarence Towe of Walhalla, South Carolina. By all signs this curious form will never become a large tree.
The appeal lies in the foliage: fine, feathery, silver-blue juvenile needles, soft to the touch and held in dense, billowing sprays that catch the light and lend a misty, cloud-like quality to a planting. Sawara cypress and the many garden forms have long been valued in Japan and beyond for exactly this kind of textural softness, a foil for bolder leaves and darker greens.
Compact and slow, 'Shiva' suits the smaller garden where a full-sized conifer would overwhelm. Site where the silver-blue color and soft texture can be appreciated, against a dark backdrop of broadleaf evergreens or beside stone, and pair with fine-textured companions in a mixed border or a Japanese-inspired planting. A choice and uncommon plant for collectors of dwarf and unusual conifers.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 3–8
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Mature size
- Height 6–8 Feet · Spread 4–6 Feet
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
What payment methods can I use?
We offer 35 different payment methods including major providers like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, American Express and Diners as well as many different local payment methods including Klarna, iDEAL, AliPay, Sofort, giropay, and many more.
Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.