Chamaecyparis pisifera sungold
£25.00
Description
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Golden Sawara Cypress, Sungold Cypress
- Botanical Name: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’
- Plant Type: Evergreen conifer shrub
- Mature Height: 0.8–1.5m (slow to moderate growing)
- Mature Spread: 1–2m
- Foliage: Soft, feathery, thread-like sprays; bright golden-yellow, often deepest in full sun
- Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy throughout UK & Ireland)
- Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable once established
- Aspect: Full sun to partial shade (best colour in sun)
- Maintenance: Low
Description
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’ is pure garden sunshine—an irresistibly soft, feathery conifer that brings year-round golden colour and gentle movement to borders, gravel gardens, and pots. With its flowing, thread-like foliage and naturally mounded habit, it has a relaxed elegance that still feels wonderfully “designed”.
In spring and summer, the foliage glows a bright golden-yellow, lighting up darker corners and making surrounding greens look richer and deeper. As the seasons shift, the colour often softens slightly, but it remains warmly golden through winter—an invaluable hit of brightness when the garden is at its quietest. The texture is just as special as the colour: fine, silky sprays that invite a closer look and add softness to planting schemes.
Slow to moderate growing and naturally neat, ‘Sungold’ is ideal for smaller gardens, front borders, and contemporary landscapes where you want structure without formality. It’s also brilliant for mixing with grasses, heathers, winter-flowering perennials, and other conifers for a layered, textural look that holds its shape all year.
Caragh Garden Notebook
Planting:
Space plants 1–1.5m apart to allow the mound to broaden naturally. Plant container-grown specimens year-round, ideally in spring (March–May) or early autumn (September–October). Choose a position in full sun to partial shade—full sun gives the strongest golden colour and the tightest habit. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot, loosen the soil well, and mix in organic matter to help moisture retention and establishment. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water thoroughly, and mulch.
Space plants 1–1.5m apart to allow the mound to broaden naturally. Plant container-grown specimens year-round, ideally in spring (March–May) or early autumn (September–October). Choose a position in full sun to partial shade—full sun gives the strongest golden colour and the tightest habit. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot, loosen the soil well, and mix in organic matter to help moisture retention and establishment. Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in gently, water thoroughly, and mulch.
Soil Preparation:
Prefers moist, well-drained soil and performs best when it doesn’t dry out completely in summer. Tolerates a range of soil types, but avoid waterlogged ground in winter. Improve heavy clay with compost and grit to aid drainage; improve sandy soils with compost to retain moisture. Mulch annually to keep roots cool, conserve moisture, and feed the soil.
Prefers moist, well-drained soil and performs best when it doesn’t dry out completely in summer. Tolerates a range of soil types, but avoid waterlogged ground in winter. Improve heavy clay with compost and grit to aid drainage; improve sandy soils with compost to retain moisture. Mulch annually to keep roots cool, conserve moisture, and feed the soil.
Container Growing:
Excellent in pots and planters (a gorgeous year-round feature). Use a large container with good drainage holes and a quality compost. Water regularly—containers dry out quickly, especially in sun and wind. Feed in spring with a slow-release fertiliser suitable for conifers.
Excellent in pots and planters (a gorgeous year-round feature). Use a large container with good drainage holes and a quality compost. Water regularly—containers dry out quickly, especially in sun and wind. Feed in spring with a slow-release fertiliser suitable for conifers.
Seasonal Care:
Very low maintenance—no pruning required to keep its natural form. If you need to tidy or lightly shape, trim in late spring or early summer, taking only the soft new growth (avoid cutting back into old brown wood). Water during prolonged dry spells, especially in the first 1–2 years after planting. In exposed sites, winter wind can cause slight bronzing—planting with a little shelter helps keep foliage looking its best.
Very low maintenance—no pruning required to keep its natural form. If you need to tidy or lightly shape, trim in late spring or early summer, taking only the soft new growth (avoid cutting back into old brown wood). Water during prolonged dry spells, especially in the first 1–2 years after planting. In exposed sites, winter wind can cause slight bronzing—planting with a little shelter helps keep foliage looking its best.
Design Notes:
Perfect as a bright “anchor” plant in borders—use it to lift darker greens and purples. Beautiful with heathers, grasses, lavender, salvias, and winter-flowering hellebores. Brilliant in gravel gardens and modern planting schemes for year-round texture.
Perfect as a bright “anchor” plant in borders—use it to lift darker greens and purples. Beautiful with heathers, grasses, lavender, salvias, and winter-flowering hellebores. Brilliant in gravel gardens and modern planting schemes for year-round texture.
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