Golden Surprise Lawson Cypress
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Golden Surprise‘
Other Names: Port Orford Cedar
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 5a-8b in hot-summer climates; 5a-9b in cool-summer climates Find Your Zone
Plant Type: Evergreen Conifer
Height at Maturity: 6-8′
Width at Maturity: 3-5′
Spacing: Best as specimen, in spaced groupings 7’+ apart, or use 2 to accentuate an entryway
Spacing: Best as specimen, in spaced groupings 7’+ apart, or use 2 to accentuate an entryway
Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Conical
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate, 4 to 6 inches per year
Foliage Color: Golden-Yellow new growth maturing to Bluish-Green
Fragrant Foliage: Mild Scent
Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun
Water Needs: Average, low when established
Soil Type: Clay (amend heavy clay to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy, Silt
Soil Drainage: Moist But Well Drained
Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
Maintenance / Care: Very Low
Attracts: Visual Attention
Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-20F), Deer, Disease, Drought (moderate when established), Heat, Insect
Description
The Golden Surprise Lawson Cypress forms an upright cone of dainty, feathery foliage that emerges golden yellow aging to soft blue-green. Adding maybe 6 inches in height per year and reaching maybe 6 to 8 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide when all grown up, Golden Surprise makes for a fine specimen in small to mid size garden spaces or home foundation plantings. Spaced groupings of three are nice as well or two can be used to frame an entrance. Excellent in rock gardens. Groupings of three are excellent where space allows or two can be used to frame an entrance. No pruning necessary.
Landscape & Garden Uses
The Golden Surprise Lawson Cypress is ideal for use as a specimen or in spaced groupings with plants arranged at least 7 feet apart to avoid overcrowding. Also excellent as an accent tree to frame corners or two can be used to frame an entrance. A fine addition to conifer gardens, rock gardens Asian gardens and yellow theme gardens.
Suggested Spacing: 7 feet apart for space between trees
Growing Preferences
The Golden Surprise Lawson Cypress is easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full to mostly sun. It has good drought tolerance when established. It does not like a constantly wet or soggy soil. It is exceptionally low maintenance, requiring little if any pruning to keep its naturally conical form. That said, a wandering branch can be removed if needed.
Helpful Articles
Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant, prune, fertilize and water Cypress trees.
How To Plant & Care For Cypress Trees
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