False Cypress 'Threadleaf Sungold'

False Cypress 'Threadleaf Sungold'

Scott's Nursery Ltd.

$44.99
Title

A cascade of golden sunshine for your garden! 'Sungold' features unique, thread-like foliage that drapes elegantly in soft, weeping mounds. Its delicate, string-like branches emerge in a brilliant golden-yellow and mature to a refreshing lime-green, creating a luminous "mop-top" effect that provides incredible texture and a splash of year-round brightness to any landscape.
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Plant Details

Mature Size:

3–5' H x 4–6' W

Zone:

4-8

Watering:

Medium

Foliage Type:

Evergreen

Growth Rate:

Slow

Light:

Full Sun/Partial Shade

Plant Profile

Common Names:

Sungold False Cypress, Sungold Japanese False Cypress, Sungold Sawara Cypress, Threadleaf False Cypress

Scientific Name:

Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Sungold'

Type:

Ornamental Evergreen Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: Typically 3–5 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide in 10 years; can eventually reach up to 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide if left unpruned.
  • Growth Habit / Form: Mounding, globose to broadly conical.
  • Growth Rate: Slow.
  • Longevity: 50 years or more under ideal conditions.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; shelter from strong, drying winds.
  • Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, fertile, acidic soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Adaptable to sandy or loamy soils but requires good drainage; highly tolerant of urban pollution.
  • Watering: Needs regular watering during the first year; once established, it is more drought-tolerant than other varieties but prefers consistent moisture.

Special Features:

  • Resistances: Generally deer resistant and highly resistant to most pests; noted for high tolerance to urban pollution.
  • Texture: Unique thread-like texture provides soft, architectural interest.
  • Low Maintenance: Naturally maintains a tidy, mounding shape without frequent trimming.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Non-flowering; inconspicuous small cones may appear in summer on mature plants.
  • Fall/Winter Colour: Golden foliage persists through winter, often providing a warm contrast in snowy landscapes.
  • Bark: Reddish-brown bark that peels in attractive strips as the plant matures.

Garden Value:

Outstanding for color contrast in rock gardens, foundation plantings, or as a specimen accent. Its slow growth and compact habit also make it excellent for large containers.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Provides dense, year-round shelter for small songbirds.
  • Human Value: Low-maintenance focal point for small gardens; non-toxic to pets and children.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Cooler months of spring or fall.
  • Spacing: 4–6 feet apart for mass plantings.
  • Location Tips: Ensure a well-drained site to avoid root rot; use as a "thriller" in container combinations.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; best golden color is achieved in full sun, though some afternoon shade is beneficial in hot climates.
  • Moisture Requirements: Requires average to moist, well-drained soil; do not allow the roots to dry out completely.
  • Maintenance, Fertilization: Low maintenance; pruning is rarely needed but can be done in winter if desired. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release evergreen food.

Tolerances:

Urban pollution, cold, and partial shade.

Tips For Success:

Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone to conserve moisture and protect roots in exposed locations. Avoid heavy pruning, as it does not readily regenerate from old wood.
Fruit Profile