'Golden Mop' is a yellow needled evergreen shrub cultivar in the cypress family (Cupressaceae ). The species is native to Japan. The cultivar originated in the mid-20th century as a mutation of C. pisifera 'Filifera Aurea.' It differs from the parent cultivar by having brighter color, finer foliage, and a slower rate of growth. The genus name derives from the Greek words chamai , for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos , for "cypress." The species epithet, pisifera, is Latin meaning “pea-bearing” and refers to the small, rounded cones borne by this plant. The cultivar name comes from its yellow-green foliage and similarity in shape to a mop. It grows slowly, up to 5 feet tall and wide with a rounded, pyramidal form, but may take up to 10 years to reach 2 feet in height. This plant does best in sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained, moist to average soils. It tolerates some drought once it becomes established. This is a low-maintenance plant that seldom needs pruning. The pendulous and whip-like foliage holds its color throughout the year. Exfoliating peeling reddish brown bark adds to the plants visual interest. Use this uniquely colored evergreen shrub in small groups in rock gardens, plant along a foundation or as a specimen in the landscape for winter interest. Its small size make it an excellent choice for a patio planting or planted in a row as a low hedge Quick ID Hints: Dwarf shrub Scale-like leaves Green/gold color 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 offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis pisifera .
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 withChamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana'Distylium
Native alternativesJuniperus communis var. depressa
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; 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); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Conical; Rounded
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Bright, golden, thread-like foliage Dwarf mounding; forms broad pyramid with rounded crown with age
Flower detail
No flowers - the pollen bearing cones are small and often reddish, growing from the branch tips.
Fruit color
Brown/Copper; Green
Fruit detail
No true fruit - female seed-bearing cones are green when immature turning to browbrn.
Bark color
Red/Burgundy
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Patio
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Garden for the Blind; Rock Garden; Winter Garden