Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' – A Vibrant, Golden Evergreen for Year-Round Radiance
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold', commonly known as the Golden Sawara Cypress, is an outstanding evergreen conifer renowned for its vibrant golden-yellow foliage that brightens any garden. This dwarf cultivar is perfect for adding striking color and texture to small gardens, containers, or as an eye-catching accent in mixed plantings. Its soft, feathery foliage and compact, rounded form make it an elegant choice for enhancing both modern and traditional landscapes.
Seasonal Beauty & Growth
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Spring: Fresh, bright yellow foliage emerges, bringing early-season color and light to the garden. As the growing season progresses, the golden tones become more pronounced, providing a warm, glowing backdrop to other plants.
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Summer: The golden-yellow color of 'Sungold' deepens slightly, maintaining a rich, luminous appearance that contrasts beautifully with darker green plants in the garden.
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Autumn: As the weather cools, the vibrant color holds steady, adding warmth to the garden as other plants prepare for winter.
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Winter: Throughout the winter months, the golden foliage remains, providing a cheerful, bright contrast against the more subdued colors of the season and offering year-round interest.
Structure & Form
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' grows in a compact, rounded, and mounding shape, reaching a height of 60–90cm with a spread of 90–120cm. Its slow growth and dense, soft-textured foliage make it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or containers. The golden-yellow color, especially when paired with other evergreen plants, creates an exciting focal point in any landscape. The plant’s form remains neat and tidy with minimal maintenance, providing a steady and reliable burst of color throughout the year.
Perfect for Various Landscapes
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Small Gardens: 'Sungold' is perfect for adding a pop of color to smaller spaces where its compact size and bright foliage can be appreciated.
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Containers: Due to its manageable size and striking color, 'Sungold' is a wonderful choice for container planting. Place it on patios, balconies, or as part of a seasonal display to create an eye-catching focal point.
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Rock Gardens: This cultivar adds texture and light to rock gardens, its golden color beautifully contrasting with the natural stone elements.
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Mixed Borders: Integrate 'Sungold' into mixed borders for an exciting contrast against other plants with dark or silver foliage. It also pairs well with flowering perennials and grasses for added texture and visual interest.
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Wildlife Gardens: The dense foliage of 'Sungold' provides shelter for birds and other wildlife, while the plant’s resilience in various conditions makes it a valuable addition to eco-friendly landscapes.
Growing Conditions & Care
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Position: Prefers full sun to partial shade. To maintain its vibrant golden color, 'Sungold' thrives in full sun, where the bright color develops to its full potential. It can tolerate partial shade but may lose some of its golden intensity.
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Soil: Prefers well-drained, acidic to neutral soil, although it is adaptable to a variety of soil types. Ensure the soil is fertile and well-draining to support healthy growth.
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Hardiness: Hardy, 'Sungold' is suitable for a variety of climates, including colder areas. It can tolerate colder temperatures and remains visually appealing even in winter conditions.
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Maintenance: 'Sungold' requires minimal care. Prune only when necessary to maintain its shape, and remove any dead or damaged branches. The plant is slow-growing, so it doesn’t require frequent trimming. Regular watering during dry spells will ensure the plant stays healthy and vibrant.
Why Choose Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold'?
With its stunning golden-yellow foliage, compact form, and low-maintenance nature, 'Sungold' is the perfect evergreen for adding color, texture, and structure to your garden. Its vibrant hue brings brightness to any space, making it a striking focal point year-round. Whether used in containers, small gardens, or as part of a mixed planting, 'Sungold' offers a reliable, cheerful addition to your landscape.
Perfect Plant Combinations
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Perennials: Pair with purple or pink perennials like Echinacea or Salvia for a striking contrast of colors.
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Grasses: Combine with ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus or Festuca for added movement and texture alongside the vibrant gold foliage.
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Other Conifers: Plant with other dwarf conifers, like Pinus mugo or Juniperus 'Blue Star', to create a layered, textural effect with varying foliage colors.
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Spring Bulbs: Use 'Sungold' alongside early spring bulbs like Daffodils or Crocus to create a seamless, long-lasting spring display.
Conclusion
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' is an exceptional evergreen that brings year-round beauty and structure to any garden. Its striking golden-yellow foliage, compact shape, and minimal care requirements make it ideal for smaller gardens, containers, and mixed borders. Whether planted as a specimen or integrated into a larger landscape design, 'Sungold' offers vibrant color and timeless elegance, making it a must-have for gardeners looking to brighten up their outdoor spaces.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
