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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'
Sungold Falsecypress
Species native to Japan — moist mountain forests of Honshu and Kyushu; cultivar of garden origin (sport of 'Filifera Aurea')
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Overview
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' is a mounding coniferous evergreen shrub growing 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall and 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) wide. Bright golden-yellow thread-like (filiform) branchlets hang in soft pendulous strands. Inconspicuous brown cones develop in March-April. The cultivar is a sport of 'Filifera Aurea' selected for thinner-textured foliage and improved sun tolerance relative to the parent. Gold color is most intense in full sun, and partial shade reduces color intensity to chartreuse-green. Hot afternoon sun in zones 8+ can scorch the foliage in dry conditions — this sun-scorch tendency is the primary cultural limitation in warm climates. Slow-growing, reaching mature size in 10-15 years. Occasional reversion shoots produce plain green growth; these revert shoots are more vigorous than the gold growth and must be cut out as they appear or they will overtake the cultivar's color. Species native range is moist mountain forests of Honshu and Kyushu, Japan. Acidic soil is required (pH 5.0-6.5). Non-toxic.
Native Range
Species C. pisifera is native to moist mountain forests of Honshu and Kyushu, Japan. Cultivar of garden origin — a sport of 'Filifera Aurea'.Suggested Uses
Grown as a golden accent shrub in mixed borders, foundation plantings, rock gardens, and containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L), spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart. Bright gold foliage gives color contrast against dark green conifers and broadleaf evergreens. Slow-growing. Non-toxic. Hardy in zones 4-8.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread4' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years
Bloom Information
Spring (March-April). Inconspicuous brown coniferous cones (not flowers). 2 weeks. Wind-pollinated. Not ornamentally significant.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright golden-yellow to chartreuse; thread-like (filiform) branchlets hanging in soft pendulous strands; gold color is most vivid on new spring growth and in full-sun positions; partial shade reduces gold intensity to chartreuse-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 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
Site in full sun for vivid gold (4-12 hours direct sun — hot afternoon sun in zones 8+ should be avoided to prevent scorch) in moist well-drained acidic soil with a pH of 5.0-6.5. Slow-growing. Minimal pruning is needed apart from removing green reversion shoots as they appear. Non-toxic. Hardy in zones 4-8.Pruning
Minimal pruning is needed (May-June if shaping is wanted). The natural mounding form requires no shaping. Green reversion shoots are removed promptly — the reversion growth is more vigorous than the gold growth and will overtake the cultivar's color if left in place.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: 10 gallons