‘Goldcrest’ cypress is a cultivar of the Monterey cypress with an informal, columnar habit and evergreen, bright yellow foliage. It originated as a seedling selection made by a nursery in the UK in the mid-1940s. 'Goldcrest' tolerates a range of soil pH but needs well-drained soil and thrives in sandy soils. In hot climates, it should have partial shade during the hottest part of the day. In cooler climates, such as in the mountains, it can take full sun. 'Goldcrest' reaches a height of 7.5 feet in 10 years. Juveniles have needle leaves, while mature plants have scale leaves. The crushed foliage smells of lemons. It can be grown in a container, but be sure to water regularly and prune in the spring to control growth. It is an easy-to-grow plant with bright yellow color and an informal habit. It is often grown as a lawn specimen and will stand up to salt wind. It is suitable for winter, fairy, children's, rock and cottage gardens. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to cypress aphids and honey fungus. Armillaria, phytophthora, root rot, and coryneum canker are disease problems. VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I: Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II: Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University More information on Hesperocyparis macrocarpa .
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 nicheHesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Wilma'Ternstroemia gymnantheraThuja occidentalis 'Degroot' s Spire'
Similar, less problematicJuniperus chinensis 'Gold Star'Juniperus communis 'Gold Cone'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Tree
Life cycle
Perennial; Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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 | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant; Long-lasting; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Soft, bright gold, juvenile foliage that last year round and give off a lemony scent when crushed.
Flower color
Insignificant
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
No flowers, evergreen
Fruit detail
No fruits. Male and female cones.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container
Landscape theme
Children's Garden; Cottage Garden; Fairy Garden; Rock Garden; Winter Garden