'Tetragona Aurea' or golden fernleaf cypress is a cultivar in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family and is native to Japan This dwarf selection of hinoki cypress is a woody, needled evergreen shrub has a conical habit and will slowly grow to 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai , for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparisso s, for cypress. Plant in any moist, well-drained, neutral to acidic soil in full sun or deep shade. The best color is obtained in areas that get 4 to 5 hours of sun. It is resistant to sunburn, browsing by deer and damage from wind. Golden ferneaf cypress is distinguished by asymmetrical, ascending to spreading branches that flatten or slightly nod at the tips. This creates an interesting textural quality as the leaves resemble fern fronds. Exposed surfaces are attractive bright gold in color, while the interior parts are green. Place it in the back of a border, as a specimen in a lawn, or in a large 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 .
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.
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Snow'
Native alternativesJuniperus communis var. depressa
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Erect
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange
Leaf type
Needles
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The scale-like leaves are held upright and have a ferny appearance. Color is yellow on outer leaves and green interior leaves.