While cleaning up from the winter, I decided to trim the Boulevard Cypress Oriental Pompon (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Cyano-virdis') near the East Gate. I usually trim this out mid-summer, but the corner where it is planted needed immediate attention.
The Cypress has grown considerably over the last few years. Much of the bottom growth has disappeared, but new growth at the top continues. Hence, I was a bit less aggressive with trimming this time.
Putting off the trimming has resulted in the Cypress losing its faux "cloud pruning" of the past. As a result, I needed to remove a significant amount of growth between limbs to open up those spaces once again.
Pruning the Cypress is a time-consuming task. Also, the space where it is located requires me to be careful not to damage nearby plantings.
Unfortunately, the Heaven Scent Jacob's ladder (Polemonium 'Heaven Scent') I planted last year in the front left corner of the bed did not survive the winter. In its place I planted a remnant of Japanese forest grass I had sitting in a bucket. The grass likes shade and over time will do well here. Most likely it will grow too big in time and I will need to relocate it, but for now, it fills the empt gap well.
I have become fond of the tree. Its ability to thrive over the years has been remarkable. On the other hand, I am concerned that it may be outgrowing the space allocated by the tight corner where it resides. Hopefully, continued pruning will help ensure that it survives for a few more years.
