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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea'

Phonetic Spelling
kam-ay-SIP-a-ris pi-SIF-er-a
Description

‘Plumosa Aurea’ Sawara false-cypress is a needled evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is an old cultivar that originated in Japan in 1861. This small shrub will take around 10 years to mature to a height of 4.5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 10 feet wide and has an open, rounded to conical form. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai, for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos, for “cypress.” The species name, pisifera, is Latin and refers to the small, rounded cones borne by this plant. The cultivar name means “golden feathery.”

Plant in any rich, moist, well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade. The best needle color will come from plantings in full sun. This plant tolerates hedge trimming or shearing to maintain a particular shape. Mulch the plant to keep the root zone cool and moist.

This false-cypress has young, needled foliage that is an attractive bronze-yellow to a creamy color and gives the plant a fluffy appearance. 'Plumosa Aurea' retains more of the softer-colored foliage than other false-cypresses do.  

Its diminutive size makes it a great choice for small spaces like courtyards or patio gardens. It works equally well planted in containers or in the lawn or shrub borders as an accent or screening hedge. However, its soft needles will make you want it planted close so you can enjoy its texture.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect problems.  Blight, honey fungus, and Phytophthora root rot are occasional problems.

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.

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Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#conifer#low maintenance#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#needled evergreen#summer interest#spring interest#courtyard garden#evergreen shrub#compact habit#container plant#patio
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#small spaces#conifer#low maintenance#winter interest#fall interest#cottage garden#needled evergreen#summer interest#spring interest#courtyard garden#evergreen shrub#compact habit#container plant#patio
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Chamaecyparis
    Species:
    pisifera
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Open
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • 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
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    24-60 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No true fruits, seed bearing cones and rarely.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Branchlets with feathery bright yellow needle-like leaves at the tips. Color gets more lime green toward the center of the plant. Needles may take on brown to bronze cast in winter. The needles are soft to the touch.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Lawn
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Fairy Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Nighttime Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy