Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea Nana'
Dwarf Golden Thread Cypress
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Overview
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea Nana' is a dwarf, slow-growing, evergreen coniferous shrub in the family Cupressaceae, a compact cultivar combining the golden thread-like foliage of 'Filifera Aurea' in a small, mounded form. 'Filifera' means 'thread-bearing'; 'Aurea' means 'golden'; 'Nana' means 'dwarf.' Plants grow extremely slowly — approximately 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) per year — reaching 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) tall and 3–4 feet (0.9–1.2 m) wide after many decades. The GOLDEN-YELLOW THREAD-LIKE PENDANT BRANCHLETS are shorter and more densely set than those of 'Filifera Aurea,' creating a tighter, more compact mounded habit. Foliage color is golden-yellow, most vivid in full sun, shifting toward yellow-green in partial shade. Tiny pea-sized cones ~0.25 inch (6 mm) and white X-shaped stomatal markings on undersides. Non-toxic.
Native Range
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea Nana' is a cultivar of Chamaecyparis pisifera, native to mountain forests of Japan. The cultivar was selected in cultivation for its dwarf, compact growth form combined with golden thread foliage.Suggested Uses
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Aurea Nana' is planted as a dwarf specimen in Pacific Northwest rock gardens, mixed conifer collections, foundation plantings, and containers where year-round golden thread foliage is desired at small scale. The extremely slow growth rate keeps it in scale for many decades. Pairs with dwarf dark-green conifers and heathers. Educational value: comparison of the filifera foliage forms at different sizes — 'Filifera' (green, large), 'Filifera Aurea' (golden, large), 'Filifera Aurea Nana' (golden, dwarf).How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
Produces inconspicuous male cones in March–April and tiny pea-sized female cones (~0.25 inch / 6 mm) ripening brown by late summer. No ornamental flower display.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
golden-yellow, thread-like pendant branchletsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Plant in full sun for most vivid golden foliage — partial shade reduces color to yellow-green. Moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Consistent moisture during establishment. Extremely slow growth; no corrective pruning needed. Remove dead interior branchlets in late spring if needed. Do not fertilize to accelerate growth — fertilizing reduces the density characteristic of this cultivar. The slow growth keeps it in scale for decades in rock gardens and small beds.Pruning
No pruning is required. The compact mounded form is self-sustaining. Remove any dead or damaged branchlets in late spring.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring
Maintenance Level
very lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons