Haywire™ False Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'SMNCLUTL'

Proven Winners®

Hardy in zones 5-7 with exceptional salt tolerance for coastal and roadside locations
Distinctive threadleaf foliage creates fine-textured drama year-round with minimal pruning required
Moderate to fast growth reaches 12-18 feet tall and wide making an impressive specimen or dense privacy screen
Proven Winners® selection bred for superior health, cold hardiness, and reliable landscape performance

$26⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least four to six hours of direct sun daily for best foliage density and color. Plants tolerate partial shade but may develop a more open habit with less sun exposure.

Soil: Thrives in average, well-drained soil with consistent moisture. Heavy clay soils need amending with compost and coarse sand to improve drainage. Avoid wet sites where roots may rot. This false cypress performs well in sandy or loamy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply twice a week during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Once established, water weekly during dry spells, providing about one inch of water. Even established plants appreciate consistent moisture during hot summers but avoid soggy conditions. Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate root temperature.

Pruning Tips

Rarely requires pruning thanks to its naturally attractive upright form. If needed, trim lightly in early spring before new growth begins to shape or control size. Avoid cutting into old wood as false cypress does not regenerate from bare stems. Remove any dead or damaged branches anytime. Light annual trimming maintains density if using as a formal screen.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced slow-release evergreen fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins. A second light feeding in early summer supports continued growth. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which promote excessive soft growth susceptible to winter damage and reduce the plant's natural cold hardiness.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Evergreen, Fast-growing, Cold hardy
Hardiness Zone	5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade
Height	12-18 ft
Width	12-18 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Loamy, Peaty
Growth Rate	Fast
Growth Habit	Trailing, Upright
Flower Color	Brown, Green
Foliage Color	Green
Fragrant	Yes
Native	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Arborvitae
Botanical Name	Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'SMNCLUTL'
Species	lawsoniana
Cultivar	SMNCLUTL
Class	Pinopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Haywire™ False Cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'SMNCLUTL') commands attention with its distinctive threadleaf foliage that creates a fine-textured, almost feathery appearance unlike typical false cypress varieties. This Proven Winners® selection brings architectural presence to landscapes with its upright pyramidal form that reaches 12-18 feet tall and equally wide at maturity, making it equally impressive as a dramatic specimen or planted in a row for a substantial evergreen screen.

Year-Round Garden Interest

The rich green foliage holds its color beautifully through all four seasons without bronzing or browning in winter. The thread-like foliage gives this cultivar exceptional texture that catches light differently throughout the day, creating visual interest even from a distance. Unlike coarser evergreens, the soft, graceful foliage adds movement in the breeze while maintaining the density needed for privacy screening.

Outstanding Hardiness and Adaptability

Bred specifically for superior performance in the landscape, Haywire™ demonstrates exceptional cold hardiness for a Port Orford cedar relative, thriving in zones 5-7 where many Chamaecyparis lawsoniana cultivars struggle. The plant shows notable salt tolerance, making it valuable for coastal properties or locations near roads treated with de-icing salt in winter. Once established, it handles summer heat better than many false cypress varieties while maintaining its vibrant green color.

Low-Maintenance Landscape Presence

This variety requires minimal intervention to maintain its naturally symmetrical pyramidal shape. Unlike hedges that demand frequent shearing, Haywire™ grows into an attractive form with little to no pruning. Deer largely ignore the aromatic foliage, and the plant resists common evergreen pests when given proper growing conditions. Its moderate growth rate means it fills in relatively quickly without becoming unmanageable or requiring constant trimming to control size.

Proven Winners® Reliability

As a Proven Winners® selection, Haywire™ has undergone rigorous testing to ensure it performs consistently across different growing conditions and climates. This means you're getting a plant bred for health, vigor, and the ability to thrive year after year with basic care. The investment in this premium evergreen pays dividends through decades of reliable performance with minimal maintenance requirements.

Whether you're looking for a statement-making focal point near an entryway, a dramatic backdrop for perennial borders, or a substantial living fence to define property boundaries, Haywire™ False Cypress delivers year-round structure and texture that elevates the entire landscape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Haywire™ False Cypress grow in zone 5a or only 5b and above?

Haywire™ False Cypress thrives in zones 5-7, which includes zone 5a. This cultivar was specifically bred for superior cold hardiness compared to other Port Orford cedar relatives. Plant with confidence in zone 5a locations.

How much sun does Haywire™ False Cypress need—full sun, part sun, or shade?

Haywire™ False Cypress thrives in full sun to partial sun conditions. This Proven Winners® selection needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to maintain its vibrant green color and dense pyramidal form. Shop at Nature Hills for this low-maintenance evergreen that's hardy in zones 5-7.

What are the planting instructions for Haywire™ False Cypress when it arrives?

Plant Haywire™ False Cypress in well-draining soil with full to partial sun exposure in zones 5-7. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, keeping the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil. Space plants 12-18 feet apart for mature size or closer for screening.

Is Haywire™ False Cypress deer resistant?

Yes, Haywire™ False Cypress is deer resistant due to its aromatic foliage that deer typically avoid. The natural oils in the threadleaf foliage act as a deterrent while maintaining the plant's ornamental value. Plant it confidently in deer-prone areas for reliable evergreen screening.

Does Haywire™ False Cypress require pruning, and when?

Haywire™ False Cypress maintains its naturally symmetrical pyramidal shape with little to no pruning needed. Its moderate growth rate and excellent form eliminate the frequent shearing required by traditional hedges. If light shaping is desired, prune in late winter before new growth begins.

What fertilizer does Haywire™ False Cypress need?

Haywire™ False Cypress thrives with minimal fertilization once established. A balanced slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring provides adequate nutrition for healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can compromise the natural form and cold hardiness in zones 5-7.

Is Haywire™ False Cypress salt tolerant for coastal areas?

Yes, Haywire™ False Cypress shows notable salt tolerance, making it well-suited for coastal properties and areas near winter-salted roads. This hardy evergreen thrives in zones 5-7 while maintaining its vibrant green color year-round. Plant it as a specimen or privacy screen in salt-prone locations.

How do I mulch and maintain even moisture for Haywire™ False Cypress?

Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the base, keeping it 6 inches from the trunk. This established evergreen handles summer heat well once its roots are developed. Water deeply but infrequently during the first two growing seasons to encourage deep root growth.

Haywire™ False Cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'SMNCLUTL'