Monterey Cypress Gold Crest Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Goldcrest'

Lemon cypress is a cultivar of the Monterey cypress with an informal, columnar habit and needled evergreen, bright yellow foliage. It originated as a seedling selection made by a nursery in the UK in the mid-1940s. While the parent species is one of the largest in the genus and can reach 80 feet high, 'Goldcrest' would reach a height of 7.5 feet in 10 years.

'Goldcrest' tolerates a range of soil pH but needs well-drained soil and thrives in sandy soils. It can be grown in a container, but be sure to water regularly and prune in the spring to control growth. It is an easy-to-grow plant with bright yellow color and an informal habit. It is often grown as a lawn specimen and will stand up to salt wind.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to cypress aphids and honey fungus. Armillaria, Phytophthora, root rot, and coryneum canker are disease problems.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University

More information on Hesperocyparis macrocarpa.