Light among the greens
Yellow-green tones create bright accents in a planting. Fresh growth is a more vivid green, deepening as the needles mature.
Chamaecyparis 'Spitsbergen'® 11cm
Normal price
€7,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Chamaecyparis thyoides ‘Spitsbergen’®
- Yellow-green foliage
- Soft needles
- Natural pyramid
- Plantarium 2017 bronze
Chamaecyparis thyoides ‘Spitsbergen’® brings the brightness of yellow-green foliage to a dense pyramid with a surprisingly soft texture. Fine, needle-like leaves clothe the shoots, giving its surface a gentle, almost downy appearance. The leading tip rises above slightly irregular branches, lending the outline a natural character and small details worth a closer look. This compact cultivar combines the clear presence of a conifer with foliage full of light and texture.
A pot beside an entrance is enough to give a planting a vertical focal point. In a border, it can stand behind lower, arching or broad-leaved plants, bringing contrasting textures together in a considered composition. Its evergreen presence maintains the main line of the planting as the seasonal accents around it change.
Bronze medal at Plantarium 2017, awarded following assessment by the Royal Boskoop Horticultural Society (KVBC).
What makes it special
Its appeal lies in the combination of colour, texture and natural architecture.
A more natural pyramid
A central leader organises the upright growth, while branching creates a dense, slightly irregular crown with an individual character.
Fine, soft texture
Soft, needle-like foliage creates a finely detailed surface. It is particularly attractive beside seating or a path, where it can also be appreciated up close.
Why you will love it: It adds height and luminous texture to a planting, with detail that remains interesting throughout the year.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations A bright vertical presence among lower plants with contrasting textures.
A bright garden corner
Choose an outdoor position with morning sun and, in particularly hot locations, light afternoon shade. Place it towards the back or centre of a mixed border, allowing room for the future crown. On a terrace, choose a position where the pot will not overheat and the foliage is sheltered from drying winds.
Dark and golden accents
These combinations suit light partial shade, with humus-rich, acidic to slightly acidic soil and regular moisture. Make sure the ground around each plant's base drains well.
- Leucothoe axillaris ‘Curly Red’ — Placed lower to one side, its curled leaves and reddish tones add contrast beside the fine texture of ‘Spitsbergen’.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — At the front, its almost black, broad leaves emphasise the bright conifer. Its crown needs good drainage and should not be buried in the soil.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — Along the border edge, arching leaves with creamy central stripes and green margins soften the upright line and continue the golden palette.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun to light partial shade. On a hot terrace, favour morning sun and shelter from the strongest afternoon heat.
Watering
Keep the rootball evenly moist, without leaving water in the saucer. Water according to the moisture in the compost, including in winter when needed.
Climate & hardiness
An outdoor plant with tolerance of cold. A small pot needs extra protection from prolonged freezing, overheating and drying winds.
Safety
An ornamental plant that is not intended for consumption. Wear gloves when pruning and position it away from pets that chew plants.
Detailed careComplete care guideSoil, planting, watering and gentle shaping for healthy, dense foliage.
Light without overheating
In a cool garden it can receive more sun. On a hot, exposed terrace, avoid positions that trap heat and dry air. Do not keep ‘Spitsbergen’ permanently indoors.
Humus-rich, acidic soil
Choose a growing medium that retains even moisture while allowing air to reach the roots. In a very chalky garden, a pot with suitable acidic compost is more practical. Avoid compacted soil around the roots.
Plant at the right depth
Plant during mild weather, with the rootball already moist. Keep the base of the trunk at its previous level and water thoroughly. Clear drainage holes are essential when growing in a pot.
Check before watering
Check a little below the surface with a finger. As the compost starts to lose its moist feel, water to wet the whole rootball. Check more frequently in heat and less often during cold, rainy weather.
Gentle feeding
In the garden, the need for feeding depends on the soil and growth. In a pot, use a suitable conifer fertiliser during active growth, following the label. Do not feed a thirsty or stressed plant.
Stay within green growth
The natural pyramid mainly needs minor corrections. Trim only tips carrying living green foliage, during mild weather. Avoid cutting deeply into old, bare wood or removing the central leader.
Winter care in a pot
Raise the pot to let excess water drain away and protect the rootball from prolonged freezing. Check moisture during dry winter spells. The evergreen crown continues to lose water.
If brown patches appear
Start by checking moisture, drainage and exposure to heat or wind. Notice whether the damage affects the tips or an entire branch. If it spreads after growing conditions improve, seek horticultural advice before applying a treatment.
Development over timeFrom a small pot to the gardenThe same pyramidal outline gains height and branching as the plant establishes.
Roots establish first
After planting, consistent moisture helps the roots extend into the surrounding soil. How quickly fresh growth becomes visible depends on the season and local conditions.
Increasing branching
Fresh tips extend the natural pyramid and the crown becomes more intricate. A compact appearance does not mean that the plant will always remain the size it was when purchased.
Room for its long-term form
For garden planning, allow for an indicative long-term height of 2–3 m and a spread of about 1 m. Pot size, climate and shaping influence the eventual result; these dimensions are not a promise of growth within a fixed number of years.
Form & dimensions
Long-termHeight 2–3 mSpread ≈ 1 mNatural pyramid
Indicative long-term growth in the ground. The upright central leader and dense lateral branching need room between neighbouring plants.
Form through time
DevelopmentEvergreenBranchingSoft needles
Young plantA smaller framework and fresh tips in a pot.
Established plantMore branching and a denser crown.
The two images show successive stages of growth, not the same scale. The needle-like foliage remains evergreen; vivid fresh tips deepen to green as they mature.
What to expect: Aim for a healthy, dense crown that develops along its natural lines, with gentle adjustments when needed.
History & origin Cultivar origin The Eden’s Creations introduction and its 2017 bronze medal
In 2017 Eden’s Creations, based in Wezep in the Netherlands, presented Chamaecyparis thyoides ‘Spitsbergen’ at Plantarium as part of the Woody World collection.
The cultivar received a bronze medal from the KVBC. The judging panel highlighted its compact shape, soft foliage and suitability for planting in pots and planters.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Juvenile foliage that stays
Chamaecyparis thyoides has distinct juvenile needle-like leaves and adult scale-like leaves. ‘Spitsbergen’ retains the juvenile type: its foliage remains needle-like instead of forming the flat, scaly surfaces seen in other conifers. This developmental characteristic explains its distinctive soft texture.
Small cones, winged seeds
In the species Chamaecyparis thyoides, male and female reproductive structures develop on the same plant. The seed cones are about 6 mm across and contain small winged seeds that are dispersed by wind.
Frequently asked questions
Position, size, pruning and the difference between bright foliage and drying growth.
01Can it stay inside the house?
‘Spitsbergen’ is intended for outdoor growing. Choose a garden, balcony or terrace with suitable light and air circulation. Keeping it permanently in a heated room does not meet its needs.
02Will it stay 30 cm tall?
The 30 cm measurement refers to the plant currently offered. This is a compact cultivar, but it continues to grow. Plan the available space using the long-term form in the diagram rather than its present size.
03Can it cope with strong summer sun?
The result depends on heat, wind and moisture around the roots. In a particularly hot position, favour morning sun and light afternoon shade, especially while it remains in a small pot.
04Do I need to clip it into a pyramid?
Pyramidal growth is a natural characteristic. Minor adjustments to green tips are sufficient if needed. Cutting deeply into bare wood can leave gaps that do not fill again.
05Does yellow-green foliage indicate a problem?
It is part of the cultivar's natural appearance, particularly in bright new growth. It differs from foliage turning brown, drying out or becoming brittle. If that happens, check the soil and growing conditions first.
06Does it need watering in winter?
Yes, when the compost begins to dry. Rain does not always reach a pot under cover, while evergreen foliage continues to lose water. Avoid both a dry rootball and standing water.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.