Return to Plant Finder

Clicking the following controls will change the main image displayed above.

SOFT SERVE®

False Cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera

'Dow Whiting'

PP#20,883

Swipe to View More
Conical Soft Serve Chamaecyparis with soft fern like branches in landscape "} Compact Soft Serve Chamaecyparis in garden Conical Soft Serve Chamaecyparis in garden near porch Close up of the silver-blue underside of Soft Serve Chamaecyparis foliage
  • Evergreen
  • Useful habit
  • Deer resistant
Description

Soft, distinctive foliage. A good substitute for dwarf Alberta spruce. Soft Serve® is a compact, conical false cypress with graceful, soft fern-like branches. The leaves are bright green on top and flecked with silver-blue on the underside. A sport of 'Boulevard'.

USDA Zone
4 - 8 (-30°F/-34.4°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
6 - 10'
Width
6 - 10'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Adaptable to any well-drained (but not dry) soil.

Pruning

Little needed. Trim in late spring/early summer if desired.

Uses

Shrub borders, hedges, specimen, perennial borders and containers.

Growing Tips

Shear two to three times in production to develop body and habit.

  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week September 3, 2020
  • Spec Sheet: Soft Serve® Chamaecyparis spec sheet
  • Benchcard: Soft Serve® Chamaecyparis benchcard
  • Plant of the Week: Plant of the Week July 21, 2022 Soft Serve Chamaecyparis
  • Grower Sheet: Soft Serve® Chamaecyparis grower sheet
  • Tag: Soft Serve® Chamaecyparis tag

    • Features: Foliage interest, Evergreen, Deer resistant, Winter interest

    Filters: Botanical genus: Chamaecyparis, Common name: False Cypress, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Green foliage

    Features: Foliage interest, Evergreen, Deer resistant, Winter interest

    Filters: Botanical genus: Chamaecyparis, Common name: False Cypress, Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 4, USDA Zone 5, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Green foliage