Gold Mop Cypress

Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’

Description

A dwarf shrub that delivers a new take on evergreen color, the Gold Mop Cypress lends a pop of bright foliage to plant beds, driveway borders and beyond. Especially since it couldn’t be easier to grow, with cold-hardy adaptability and disease resistance that make it a true plant-and-forget variety.

But despite its carefree growth, it offers dramatic visual impact like you’ve never seen. Also known as the Golden Mop False Cypress, it’s famous for its eye-catching golden color and a slight weeping form that lend contrast to traditional evergreen areas in your landscape.

Living up to its name with a ground-hugging, mounding form, it’s well-suited to rock gardens and slope plantings but is perfect for placing almost anywhere. Since its finely-textured, vibrant lemon foliage is slow-growing, it doesn’t require pruning, fertilizer, or extra fuss. And despite its delicate, weeping appearance that gives a hint of colorful, graceful movement with every breeze, it’s a sturdy shrub that stands up to tough conditions. Whether it’s drought and frigid temperatures or even salty coastal air, the Gold Mop’s gleaming hue stays true from season to season. So, when other colorful shrubs and trees in your neighbors’ yards fade, your Golden Mop Cypress will continue to outshine the competition.

Planting

The Gold Mop Cypress does best in full sun (6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily) and well-drained soil. When you’re ready to plant dig the hole twice the size as the root ball and just a little shallower. Hold the shrub straight as you begin to backfill the site, tamping down the soil as you go. When completely it’s backfilled, apply water to settle the soil and remove any air pockets.

If you’re planting in a container, make sure it has plenty of holes in the bottom as drainage is essential. The pot size should be at least twice the size of the one it initially came in. Choose a location on the patio, backyard, front/side of the house, providing it will receive full sun.

Watering

Stick your finger into the surrounding soil down to a depth of 2 inches and feel around for any moisture. If the soil is drying out, go ahead and water it until you see it escaping the drainage holes (when potted) or until the area is moist, and then stop.

Fertilizing

Fertilize your shrub well after a year of growth, once the root system has had enough time to establish. Using a general fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 formula, every spring will give it a boost.

Pruning

Though it’s not required, you can prune your Gold Mop Cypress for shaping.