Evergreen, Shrubs, Trees Conifers ranging from rock garden
shrublets to timber trees. Sometimes mistaken for arborvitae
(Thuja), but arborvitae’s leaves are entirely green, while false
cypresses have white lines on leaf undersides. Most have two
distinct types of foliage: juvenile and mature. Juvenile leaves
are short, needlelike, soft but often prickly; they appear on
young plants and some new growth of larger trees. Mature foliage
consists of tiny, scalelike, overlapping leaves. Cones are small
and round. All of the many varieties sold are forms of five
species’two from western U.S., two from Japan, one from eastern
U.S. New varieties appear each year, while older ones lose
market share. Mislabeling is common, since many of these plants
closely resemble one another. Numerous dwarf and variegated
kinds are available, providing a rich array of choices for
bonsai and rock gardens. Pinch out or cut back tips of new
growth to control size and shape; don’t cut back into old,
leafless wood. All types, including tr