Plant Library

Other Names:  Japanese Falsecypress, Sawara Falsecypress

Description:

Known as the Threadleaf falsecypress because of the fine, almost string-like golden foliage, giving an extremely fine texture; a compact variety, ideal for color and texture contrast in the garden, but can grow quite large

Ornamental Features

Golden Threadleaf Falsecypress is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape for its ornamental globe-shaped form. It has attractive yellow evergreen foliage. The threadlike sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and turn light green in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Threadleaf Falsecypress is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more or less rounded form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Golden Threadleaf Falsecypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Mass Planting
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Golden Threadleaf Falsecypress will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type, but has a definite preference for acidic soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.