Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ 20/40cm (2L)

The Sawara cypress Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’ is a lovely evergreen conifer that brings bright golden tones to gardens throughout the year. This neat, slow-growing tree works well in smaller gardens, rock gardens, or as a standout feature in mixed planting schemes. Its fine, thread-like foliage has a delicate, feathery appearance that looks particularly striking when sunlight filters through it during morning and evening hours. The ‘Sungold’ form is really quite special, with its vivid yellow-gold needles keeping their brilliant colour across all seasons.

This easy-care tree suits time-pressed gardeners or anyone just starting out with conifers. It’s tough and flexible, doing well in most free-draining soils and happy in both sunny positions and areas with some shade. In brighter spots, the golden shades become more pronounced, putting on quite a show. The Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ works brilliantly in pots too, letting you add its bright character to terraces, small outdoor spaces, or doorways.

With age, this tree forms an attractive cone shape, growing to around 1-1.5 metres tall over a decade. Its gentle growth means it stays put without taking over, making it a sensible pick for gardens where space matters. The thick foliage of the Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ offers a welcome refuge for small birds and garden wildlife, bringing extra nature into your outdoor space.

Coming originally from Japan, the Sawara cypress has been grown for hundreds of years and valued for its decorative appeal. The ‘Sungold’ variety gives this traditional tree a fresh look, providing a brighter, more striking option for today’s gardens. Its golden needles look fantastic when grown near dark green or blue-grey conifers, or positioned next to shrubs with red or purple leaves.

If you want to add colour that lasts all year, build structure in your garden, or just grow something attractive that doesn’t need much fuss, the Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ fits the bill perfectly. Its flexibility, good looks, and simple care needs make it popular with gardeners whatever their skill level.

Sawara Cypress ‘Sungold’ is relatively easy to care for, which is good news for 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 in Lancashire. Approx 20cm – 40cm tall in a 2 litre pot.