Plant DetailShow Menu

Native alternative(s) for Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold':
Chamaecyparis thyoides Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea' Close up
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard' Form
Ilex vomitoria 'Taylor's Rudolph' ilex vomitoria 'Taylor's Rudolph' in early fall in Moore County
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' has some common insect problems:
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes

Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'

Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Sungold'
  • Chamaecyparis pisifera var. filifera 'Sungold'
Phonetic Spelling
kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
Description

'Sungold' false-cypress is a dwarf, mounding, evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species is native to Japan. This cultivar originated in Canada in the 1960s as a seedling of C. pisifera 'Filifera Aurea.’ It has coarser branching and better resistance to sunburn than its parent.

Aptly named, this dwarf false-cypress has gold-tipped, thread-like foliage on thin weeping branches that does not burn in full sun. Mature leaves are an attractive chartreuse color. 

Plant ‘Sungold’ in any well-drained, moist soil in full sun to partial shade. It is slow growing and after 10 years will measure 3 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide but can eventually reach 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Prune to maintain the size and shape you desire.

The gold foliage provides year-round interest with its striking color so utilize this shrub in foundation plantings, as a specimen, in the middle to back of a border planting, or in rock gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Somewhat susceptible to bagworms and root rot, and juniper blight.  See Clemson's publication on root rot.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

 

More information on Chamaecyparis pisifera.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Mountain Ridge Top Garden - North Woods
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#specimen#shrub#slow growing#yellow leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#year-round interest#mounding#rock garden#border planting#evergreen shrub#exfoliating bark#border back#border middle#partial shade tolerant#yellow needles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#specimen#shrub#slow growing#yellow leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#year-round interest#mounding#rock garden#border planting#evergreen shrub#exfoliating bark#border back#border middle#partial shade tolerant#yellow needles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    pisifera
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Thread-like chartreuse to lime green that are gold tipped when young.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Peeling
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Nighttime Garden
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Specimen