Golden Fernleaf Cypress Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea'
- Phonetic Spelling
- ka-may-sy-PAR-is ob-TOO-sah teh-tra-GOH-nah AW-ree-ah
- Description
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'Tetragona Aurea' or golden fernleaf cypress is a cultivar in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and is native to Japan This dwarf selection of hinoki cypress is a woody, needled evergreen shrub has a conical habit and will slowly grow to 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai, for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos, for cypress.
Plant in any moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil in full sun or deep shade. The best color is obtained in areas that get 4 to 5 hours of sun. It is resistant to sunburn, browsing by deer and damage from wind.
Golden ferneaf cypress is distinguished by asymmetrical, ascending to spreading branches that flatten or slightly nod at the tips. This creates an interesting textural quality as the leaves resemble fern fronds. Exposed surfaces are attractive bright gold in color, while the interior parts are green.
Place it in the back of a border, as a specimen in a lawn, or in a large container.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms, 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.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- obtusa
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruits, seed bearing cones.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers, pollen bearing cones.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The scale-like leaves are held upright and have a ferny appearance. Color is yellow on outer leaves and green interior leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Lawn
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Wind
