Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
- Description
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'Golden Mop' is a yellow needled evergreen shrub cultivar in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai, which means dwarf, and kyparissos, which means cypress tree. The species name pisifera is Latin and refers to the small, rounded cones born by this shrub. The cultivar name reportedly comes from its yellow-green foliage and similarity in shape to a mop head.
It grows slowly, up to 5 feet tall and wide with a rounded, pyramidal form, but may take up to 10 years to reach 2 feet in height. This plant does best in sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist to average soils. It tolerates some drought once it becomes established. This is a low-maintenance plant that seldom needs pruning.
The pendulous and whip-like foliage holds its color throughout the year. Exfoliating peeling reddish brown bark adds to the plants visual interest.
Use this uniquely colored evergreen shrub in small groups in rock gardens, plant along a foundation or as a specimen in the landscape for winter interest. Its small size make it an excellent choice for a patio planting or planted in a row as a low hedge
Quick ID Hints:
- Dwarf shrub
- Scale-like leaves
- Green/gold color
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 landscapes:
- Relaxed Foundation Planting Asian Garden- Zen Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Chamaecyparis
- Species:
- pisifera
- Family:
- Cupressaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Conical
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Fruit Description:
- No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to browbrn.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Needled Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Needles
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Bright, golden, thread-like foliage Dwarf mounding; forms broad pyramid with rounded crown with age
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Specimen
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
