Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Murphy's Blue' / Murphy's Blue Sawara cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Murphy's Blue' is a slow-growing selection of Sawara cypress with feathery Blue foliage that has a similar appearance and color to Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard,' but 'Murphy's Blue' grows much more slowly, about 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) per year. Unlike 'Boulevard,' it does not develop a strong central leader or have the adult type foliage on growing tips. It also seems to not retain as much dried brown foliage in the center as 'Boulevard' does.

The origin of this cultivar is speculative at best. It is quite certainly a sport found on a specimen of 'Boulevard' and introduced to the nursery trade by Murphy Family Farms. The plant is rarely found in the trade and is thought to be an unstable form, meaning that reversions should be removed as they're encountered.