Sciadopitys verticillata (Umbr)

Sciadopitys verticillata (Umbr) is a Japanese Umbrella Pine cultivar, 'Umbr', valued for its sculptural form and refined evergreen texture in the landscape.

Japanese Umbrella Pine is one of the most distinctive conifers grown. A slow, refined specimen with whorls of glossy dark green needles arranged like umbrella spokes. It is the sole species in its genus. Long, glossy, dark-green needles arranged in whorls of 20-30 around the stem like umbrella spokes; texture unlike any other conifer.

Full sun to part shade suits this species best. Plant in moist, well-drained, acidic, humus-rich soil. Hardy USDA Zone 5 to 8. Generally trouble-free but slow. Provide consistently moist, well-drained acidic soil; avoid hot dry sites. Worth siting where its unusual texture can be appreciated up close.

For a Pacific Northwest native conifer of similar character, consider Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir), the iconic PNW timber tree, or Tsuga heterophylla (Western Hemlock) for shaded sites. For coastal exposure, Picea sitchensis (Sitka Spruce) thrives where salt wind defeats most evergreens.