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Plumosa Falsecypress Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea'

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

Plumosa Aurea Sawara Cypress is a very old cultivar of an evergreen shrub that originated in Japan in 1861 and was brought over to England.  It 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 cypresses do.  This small shrub will take around ten years to mature to a height of 4 1/2 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 10 feet wide and has an open rounded to conical form.

Plant in rich, moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade.  The best needle color will come from plantings in the full sun.

Its diminutive size makes it a great choice for small spaces like courtyards or patio gardens.  It works well planted in containers or in shrub borders and its soft needles will make you want it planted close so you can enjoy its texture.  To maintain a particular shape this plant tolerates hedge trimming or shearing well.  Mulch the plant to keep the root zone cool and moist.  

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#patio planting#container plant
 
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#patio planting#container plant
  • 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
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy