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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')

Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–8

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

C. pisifera 'Sungold' is identified by bright golden-yellow thread-like (filiform) branchlets hanging in soft pendulous strands on a compact mounding evergreen conifer. Thread-like foliage and bright gold color separate 'Sungold' from other dwarf falsecypress cultivars with scale or flattened-spray foliage.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 5'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 12 years

Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

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-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

10-15 years

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

late spring