Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard Pom Pom' (also known as Blue Moss Cypress) is a hand-trained topiary version of the standard 'Boulevard' Falsecypress. It is highly valued for its soft, silvery blue-gray foliage and its striking, multi-tiered "pom pom" sculptural form.
Key Characteristics
Foliage: Soft, feathery, and plumy needles that are steel-blue in summer and often take on a purplish-bronze hue during winter.
Form: A multi-stemmed evergreen trained into distinct spheres (pompoms) on exposed, reddish-brown peeling bark.
Growth Rate: Slow to medium, typically growing less than 12 inches per year.
Mature Size: Generally maintained at 6–10 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide through regular pruning, though untrained specimens can reach 15 feet.
Growing Requirements
To maintain its health and vibrant color, follow these planting instructions from Gardeners' World:
Hardiness: Suitable for USDA Zones 4–8.
Light: Performs best in full sun to partial shade. In hotter climates, afternoon shade helps prevent foliage scorch.
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It does not tolerate "wet feet" (waterlogged soil), which can lead to root rot.
Maintenance:
Pruning: Requires occasional trimming (typically in late winter or early spring) to maintain the spherical pom pom shapes.
Protection: Best planted in a spot sheltered from harsh, drying winds to prevent browning