Sawara Cypress ‘Filifera Aurea’ (1L)

The Sawara Cypress ‘Filifera Aurea’ Chamaecyparis pisifera is a stunning evergreen conifer that creates a waterfall of golden, thread-like foliage in gardens. This beautiful cultivar stands out for its distinctive weeping branches and bright golden colour, making it perfect for gardeners who want to add lasting colour and interesting texture to their space.

This slow-growing conifer typically gains around 15-20cm each year. Over time, it reaches 2–3 metres in height, developing a broad, rounded shape that spreads wider than its height. Its elegant form works brilliantly in medium-sized gardens as a feature plant, or as an eye-catching addition to mixed borders and large containers.

The golden, thread-like foliage is what makes this tree so special. The long, drooping branchlets hang gracefully downwards, forming a fountain-like display. New growth appears as bright golden-yellow in spring, softening to a rich gold through the growing season. This gorgeous golden colour stays strong all year, becoming especially bright during winter and early spring when it adds warmth to gardens in the colder months.

Despite looking delicate, ‘Filifera Aurea’ is tougher than it appears. It suits our climate well and grows happily in both full sun and partial shade, though the colour is most vibrant in sunny spots. While it likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil, it adapts to different soil conditions. It also copes well with urban environments, making it suitable for various garden situations.

This conifer is popular with gardeners for its unusual colour and texture. Use it as a standout specimen plant where the golden, weeping foliage becomes a garden highlight. Plant several together to form a soft, golden screen behind other plants. It suits both contemporary and traditional garden styles, bringing year-round warmth and style.

Bird lovers will find that the thick, drooping growth provides good shelter for small birds and insects, particularly through winter. The hanging branches offer protection from weather and predators.

For those wanting a low-maintenance, striking evergreen that delivers colour throughout the year, Sawara Cypress ‘Filifera Aurea’ fits the bill perfectly. Its gorgeous golden, thread-like foliage and graceful shape bring elegance to any garden, forming an appealing centrepiece that looks good in every season.

Sawara Cypress ‘Filifera Aurea’ is relatively easy to care for, which is good news for UK gardeners. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it’s adaptable to various soil types. When you first plant it, water regularly for the first growing season to help it establish. After that, it appreciates consistent moisture but can tolerate short periods of drought. Feed it with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring if desired, but it generally doesn’t require much feeding. Pruning isn’t usually necessary unless you want to maintain a specific shape or size. If you need to prune, do it in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height
10–20 years

Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres

🇬🇧 UK Grown. Supplied in a 1 litre pot.