Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop'
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Common Name: Japanese falsecypress
Type: Needled evergreen
Family: Cupressaceae
Zone: 5 to 7
Height: 3 to 5 feet
Spread: 3 to 5 feet
Bloom Time: Non-flowering
Bloom Description: Non-flowering
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Leaves: Colorful, Evergreen
Other: Winter Interest
Tolerates: Drought

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best golden foliage color usually appears in full sun. Prefers moist, fertile soils. Avoid wet, poorly-drained soils. Shelter from strong winds. Pruning is rarely needed.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Chamaecyparis pisifera, commonly known as Japanese falsecypress or sawara cypress, is a large, pyramidal, evergreen conifer that grows to 50-70’ tall. Although this species is rarely sold in commerce, a large number of shrubby cultivars, ranging is size from dwarf/miniature to large shrub, have become popular ornamental plants. ‘Golden Mop’ is a mounded, slow-growing, dwarf shrub that typically grows to 2-3' tall and as wide over the first 10 years, eventually maturing to as much as 5' tall. This is a filifera-type plant with stringy, whip-like, golden yellow foliage. It retains good yellow color throughout the year. Cultivar name comes from the reportedly similarity of a small shrub to a mop head. RHS lists Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Nana Aurea' as a synonym of this plant.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to juniper blight, root rot and certain insect pests such as bagworms.

Garden Uses

Rock gardens. Foundation plantings. Slopes. Edging. Border fronts. Containers. Bonsai. Good dwarf yellow evergreen for small areas.

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