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Nana Lutea Chamaecyparis

Chamaecyparis obtusa (ka-may-sy-PAR-is ob-TOO-sah NA-nah loo-TEE-ah)

Family: Cupressaceae Unknown Shrub (3-15 ft)

'Nana Lutea' Hinoki cypress is a dwarf selection of Hinoki cypress, an evergreen shrub in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family with golden-yellow, fan-shaped foliage in overlapping layers and green interior foliage. The parent plant is native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai , which means dwarf, and kyparissos , which means cypress tree. Plant this cultivar in well-drained, moist soil and in sun to partial shade. Provide protection from the wind and in warm climates, afternoon shade is important. The yellow color is best in sun and will turn lime green in shade. It grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide in an irregular globe-shaped, upright habit. This plant is excellent for use in Asian or rock gardens, or planted in the middle of a border to bring a unique look to the landscape. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for a small hedge, a foundation planting, or even a container. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms, root rot, and juniper blight. See Clemson's publication on root rot . VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis obtusa .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 38 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 3 - Shrub (3-15 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Often confused with Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'
Fills a similar niche Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball' Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Irregular; Pyramidal; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Leaf type
Needles
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Scale-like bright yellow foliage grows in fan-shaped.
Flower detail
No flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit detail
No fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to brown with male being orange brown.
Bark color
Red/Burgundy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Small Space
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Fairy Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy; Specimen
Garden tags
#evergreen #rock garden #border planting #specimen #yellow leaves #green leaves #shrub #full sun tolerant #partial shade tolerant #winter interest #summer interest #border front #Asian garden #low maintenance #dwarf #yellow needles #needled evergreen #small spaces #low hedge #evergreen shrub #slow growing #dense growth #semi-dwarf #border middle #hedge #fairy garden
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Bagworms in Ornamental Landscapes

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.