I would consider both 'Gracilis' (not Nana Gracilis) and Wells Special for this purpose but it really comes down to selection by individual tree rather than just by cultivar name as individual specimens will have individual growth habits that you can judge better for mature size and appearance. Both tend to have a very sculptural appearance with gaps in the branch spacing and often some twisting. Neither is inclined to get much wider than 6' but it can happen, which is why I encourage to select in person to make sure your young tree is not already spreading out.

Unfortunately, I do understand not everyone has the luxury of going to a local nursery that carries a good selection of these to select in person and many/most must resort to mail order. If that's the case I guess you just have to take a chance.

Very helpful response! Thanks very much. Do you know which one of the two gets the tallest?

In a garden setting, they will be about the same IME, somewhere around 15 to 20'. But the Wells will get there faster.

Good to know, thanks!

conifers are trees.. and tree NEVER stop growing at some magical height or width ... sooner or later.. you prune them to the shape and form you want .. and i said prune.. rather than shear ..

where are you .... big city name... does your ground freeze for 3 or 4 months per year.. that stops all growth.. but in warmer. climes.. trees do continue to grow.. in winter.. even if its only the roots..

the point being.. how big and how FAST something will grow.. depends on such ...

it would probably be to your advantage to give us some pix of the space you want fixed.. and let use make suggestions about how to go about it..

frankly .... in my MI .. hinoki would take a century or two.. to make a sight line block.. i would NEVER recommend such... maybe its different in the PNW or Ca... but they still have to be relatively slow ...

most size estimates on conifers.. are at 10 years.. and you can predict they will twice that size in all dimensions in 20 years ... also.. there are predictable annual growth rates... if you look hard enough ...

finally.. what might take a decade or two.. working at the property line.. might be solved in a few years... if you come into the lawn.. closer to the house.. and plant small trees ...

ken

Gosh, it is so tiresome to have to respond to nearly every statement ken makes to clear up the broad generalizations, exaggerations and just plain misstatements he continues to offer!!

Trees will continue to grow as long as they are alive but not at the same rate over their entire lifespan.. Once they reach their generically programmed mature size, growth can slow significantly and can be almost imperceptible. And they do not necessarily get any significantly wider either. It depends on the cultivar. Gracilis is commonly referred to as Slender Hinoki for a very good reason!

Dwarf Hinokis may be slow growing - that is how a conifer is defined, by its rate of growth. But neither Gracilis nor Wells Special are considered dwarfs. Gracilis is rated as an intermediate with annual growth of 6-12 inches. Wells Special is considered a large conifer with annual growth in excess of 12 inches. Obviously they will both reach a significant height long before the passing of a century as long as they receive appropriate care. Depending on size at planting you could have your 15' in 10-15 years or less.

Climate does play a role in this. I use Hinokis extensively with my design clients and the larger forms grow faster than you might imagine in my climate. If you are in zone 7 or above and can supply water in times of drought, you can expect relatively rapid growth as well.

This thread is helpful to me too as I’ve been considering a Slender Hinoki for a particular spot. Question for the experts — should I be able to find a mature Slender Hinoki at a nursery or should they be able to order one for me? I’m in zone 6B

You need to ask locally :-) I have no idea what's on offer in nurseries outside of my immediate area and I doubt anyone not living in your locale does either.

FWIW, I can find slender Hinokis on offer at area nurseries here ranging in size from little 2G, 2 foot tall babies to 8-10 tall B&B specimens. And I can special order larger if needs be.

@gardengal This is helpful, thank you! I live in small town and have received conflicting info about what they can/will do. I think I need to go a nearby city and talk to them.