Golden Fernspray Hinoki Cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Tetragona Aurea‘

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b Find Your Zone

Shrub Type: Coniferous Evergreen

Height at Maturity: 8-10′ in 10 years, then very slow after that

Width at Maturity: 4-6′

Spacing: 8-10′ for space between plants in groupings

Growth Habit / Form: Upright Irregular Pyramidal, Pendulous Branches

Growth Rate: Slow; 6 to 12 inches per year

Flower Color: None

Flower Size: NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Golden Yellow and Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun in cool climates (USDA Zones 5-6), Morning Sun with Light Afternoon Shade in hot climates (USDA Zones 78)

Water Needs: Average to Low when established

Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Silt, Sand

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained to Dry when established

Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.5 (Acid to Neutral)

Maintenance / Care: Very Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Disease, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Insect, Mildew

Description

One of the most beautiful of the Hinoki Cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Tetragon Aurea’, commonly known as Golden Fernspray Cypressdisplays beautiful fern-like foliage on an irregular pyramidal form with ascending branches that are pendulous at the stem tips. Exposed surfaces of the leaves are bright golden yellow while the shaded foliage is green. The variegated effect is enchanting. One of the faster growing fernspray cypresses, ‘Tetragona Aurea’ can put on up to 12 inches of growth per year, reaching 10 feet in height and half as wide in 10 years. This makes it ideal for use as a focal point specimen in smaller garden spaces and large planters.

Note: In hot climates (Zones 7 and 8) this cultivar will appreciate a break from direct hot mid-afternoon sun during the summer months (July-August). Mid-afternoon filtered sun to shade is best. Direct sun in the morning to early afternoon hours and in the late afternoon and evening is fine. For best foliage color we suggest at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 8 to 12 tall and 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity, the ‘Tetragona Aurea’ Fernspray Cypress is ideal for use as a focal point specimen or in small groupings in small to medium size landscape spaces, home foundation plantings. It is also a good candidate for pots, planters and other containers. We don’t suggest using this beauty as a hedge, which would take away from its magnificent appeal as a focal point. A fine addition to conifer gardens, yellow color theme gardens, and Asian them gardens.

Growing Preferences

‘Tetragona Aurea’ Fernspray Cypress prefers a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. Foliage color will be more intense with more sun. That said, in Zones 7 and 8 we suggest a break from the hot midafternoon sun. Morning and evening sun is fine. Constantly soggy or wet soil can be problematic. This cypress is a somewhat slow grower that doesn’t drink much water, so be careful to avoid overwatering. When the plant is young, check soil moisture and provide supplemental irrigation only if necessary to keep the soil damp to moist, but not wet. When established this Cypress is exceptionally drought tolerant and would only need supplemental irrigation during prolonged period of dry weather. A light feeder, fertilize lightly in spring with a slow-release shrub and tree type fertilizer or a mild, organic plant food. Except to remove a stray or damaged plant part, no pruning required.

Helpful Articles

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Absolutely love this little gem. It looks great mixed in with the white spruce, sky pencil Holly and dwarf Alberta spruce I already have on a berm in my backyard. It was also on sale so that was great. It arrived it great shape and is looking healthy since I planted it a week ago. Very happy with all of my plants.—————————————————-Thanks for the kind words and awesome review! We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy them for years to come! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The fernspray cypress is a beautiful, healthy plant which shipped promptly and looks healthy and thriving since I planted it.—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

Ordered a one gallon fernspray; It came within a week in excellent condition with the soil still moist.———————————————————We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG

The plant was professionally packaged to minimize any shipping damage. The root system was intact and the plant was not root bound. This specimen is beautiful already. My zone 7a is experiencing ever hotter summers, so I planted this cypress for afternoon shade. The leaves currently are golden tipped. The foliage is as described and quite interesting. I haven’t seen this plant locally yet. The written description was well done and was exactly the type of plant I needed for a small landscape project to obscure outdoor equipment.—————————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG