'Sungold' false-cypress is a dwarf, mounding, evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). The species is native to Japan. This cultivar originated in Canada in the 1960s as a seedling of C. pisifera 'Filifera Aurea.’ It has coarser branching and better resistance to sunburn than its parent. Aptly named, this dwarf false-cypress has gold-tipped, thread-like foliage on thin weeping branches that does not burn in full sun. Mature leaves are an attractive chartreuse color. Plant ‘Sungold’ in any well-drained, moist soil in full sun to partial shade. It is slow growing and after 10 years will measure 3 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide but can eventually reach 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Prune to maintain the size and shape you desire. The gold foliage provides year-round interest with its striking color so utilize this shrub in foundation plantings, as a specimen, in the middle to back of a border planting, or in rock gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Somewhat susceptible to bagworms and 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.
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Boulevard'Ilex vomitoria 'Taylor' s Rudolph'