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Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ (Sawara Cypress)

Sawara Cypress 'Filifera Aurea', Japanese Cypress 'Filifera Aurea'

AGM Award
Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Filifera Aurea', Sawara Cypress 'Filifera Aurea', Japanese Cypress 'Filifera Aurea', evergreen shrub, golden shrub
Chamaecyparis Pisifera 'Filifera Aurea', Sawara Cypress 'Filifera Aurea', Japanese Cypress 'Filifera Aurea', evergreen shrub, golden shrub

A very popular evergreen shrub noted for its gracefully weeping golden foliage, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’ (Sawara Cypress) is a dense, semi-dwarf conifer that slowly grows into a broad cone of open habit. A real attention-getter with drooping, cord-like foliage emerging golden yellow and providing a lovely contrast with the darker green older foliage. It keeps its bright color throughout the growing season before fading in the fall. Small glaucous green cones appear in summer before turning dark chocolate when ripe. This hardy evergreen shrub has an annual growth rate of 6-8 in. (15–20 cm). Remaining attractive all year round, this Sawara Cypress provides unusual texture in the landscape and looks charming in rockeries.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and winner of the Cary Award, which recognizes plants that are particularly adequate for New England, offer superior landscape appeal, and are winter hardy and pest resistant.
  • Grows up to 6 ft. tall (180 cm) and 3 ft. wide (90 cm) after 10 years but may eventually reach 20 ft. tall (600 cm) and 7 ft. wide (210 cm) at maturity
  • Full sun to light shade lover, this plant is best grown in average, moist, well-drained soils. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant for foundation plantings or rock gardens.
  • Requires very little pruning. Only prune to remove dead, broken or poorly formed branches.
  • Propagate by grafting and semi-hardwood cuttings
  • Native to the Japanese islands of Honshu and Kyushu

Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Chamaecyparis
Common names Japanese Cypress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 6' - 20' (180cm - 6.1m)
Spread 3' - 7' (90cm - 210cm)
Spacing 84" (210cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Cupressus x leylandii (Leyland Cypress)
Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic White Cedar)
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’ (Nootka Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® Gold (Sawara Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Curly Tops’ (Sawara Cypress)
Chamaecyparis pisifera Soft Serve® (Sawara Cypress)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cotinus coggygria (Smokebush)
Achillea ‘Coronation Gold’
Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (Montbretia)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Cypress Tree: Popular Varieties and Growing Guide
Small Evergreen Shrubs for Year-Round Appeal
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 4 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 15, 16, 17, A3
Plant Type Conifers, Shrubs
Plant Family Cupressaceae
Genus Chamaecyparis
Common names Japanese Cypress
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter
Height 6' - 20' (180cm - 6.1m)
Spread 3' - 7' (90cm - 210cm)
Spacing 84" (210cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Chamaecyparis (False Cypress)
Not sure which Chamaecyparis (False Cypress) to pick?
Compare Now

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