Threads of light
Fine trailing branchlets form small cascades of golden-green foliage.
Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Sungold' 17cm
Normal price
€13,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’
Blond from the roots. No salon required 💇
- Golden-yellow new growth
- Fine trailing shoots
- Rounded habit
- Slow growth
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Sungold’ resembles a low cloud of golden-green threads, with fine shoots falling softly around its crown. Young growth lights up the outline in golden-yellow tones, while older foliage adds greener depth. Its rounded shape has a natural looseness: compact in appearance, without the formality of a clipped ball. Fine hanging tips soften every edge of the mound.
Against dark leaves, stone or a simple pot, its fine texture becomes particularly distinct. In a conifer planting it interrupts upright lines with gentle curves; on its own it creates a bright focal point that remains in the garden through winter.
What makes it special
Two ages of colour
Golden-yellow young tips stand out against greener older growth.
Unhurried growth
The rounded mound grows slowly, gradually developing a broader base.
Why you will love it: it brightens a planting without relying on flowers and brings movement beside formal geometric lines.
In the garden & on the balcony Placement & plant combinations Position, growing space and compatible companions
Best position
Leave space around the crown so its tips can fall freely. It suits a border, a rock garden with moisture-retentive soil or a large pot with drainage. Sun or light partial shade are suitable; on a very hot terrace, protection from intense afternoon sun helps.
Compatible planting
Dark burgundy, deep green and subtle blue flowers bring out the gold. Keep companions outside its future crown and choose well-drained soil without prolonged drought.
- Heuchera ‘Obsidian’ — broad dark leaves on the cooler, partly shaded side.
- Geranium ‘Rozanne’ — blue-violet flowers in a bright position, with enough room to avoid covering the conifer.
- Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ — arching foliage in sheltered partial shade, with a similar need for moisture without saturation.
Care at a glance
Light
Sun or light partial shade. In intense summer heat, avoid the combination of fierce sun and dry roots.
Watering
Maintain even moisture with good drainage. Check pots more frequently in summer.
Climate & hardiness
Very cold hardy, RHS H7. A small pot needs more protection from abrupt changes.
Safety
Not intended for consumption. Choose a position where children and pets do not chew the foliage.
Detailed careComplete care guidePlanting, water, maintenance and seasonal care
Correct planting depth
Keep the top of the rootball level with the surrounding soil and water thoroughly after planting. Do not bury the base under extra soil.
Soil and drainage
It prefers moist but well-drained soil, slightly acidic to neutral. Tolerance of different soils does not mean tolerance of permanent standing water.
The first summers
Check the rootball itself, not just the nearby surface. A recently planted conifer may dry out before its roots can use moisture in the surrounding soil.
In a large pot
Use a pot with clear drainage holes and pot on gradually as roots develop. Empty water that remains in the saucer.
Modest feeding
If the soil is depleted, provide a modest spring feed according to the label. Heavy feeding is unnecessary to accelerate its naturally slow growth.
Restrained pruning
Regular clipping is unnecessary. Remove dead or damaged shoots and avoid deep cuts into old bare wood.
Development over timeFrom a small mound to a golden domeFrom establishment to the natural mature form
Establishment
Roots adapt to the new position and gradually support additional fine shoots.
Gradual expansion
At around ten years it may reach approximately 1.5 m high and 1 m wide, depending on conditions.
Long-term presence
Over decades it can reach around 2.5–4 m in height and spread. Its small present size is not a permanent limit.
Mature form & dimensions
20–50 yearsHeight 2.5–4 mSpread 2.5–4 mRounded conifer
Long-term height and spread around 2.5–4 m, with natural variation. This does not depict the current purchase size.
Form through time
Spring growthBright young tips against greener inner foliage
Winter habitThe trailing evergreen crown remains
Shoots hang from woody branches; they do not all emerge from the ground like grass leaves.
History & origin Cultivar origin The history of this particular cultivar
Chamaecyparis pisifera is native to Japan, but ‘Sungold’ is a horticultural selection. Its origin is associated with W. Goddard of Floravista Nursery in Canada and the year 1969.
The cultivar also appears under the name Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Sungold’. Thread-like branchlets and golden-yellow young growth explain its distinctive character among ornamental conifers.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScience nobody asked forBotanical details for anyone curious about what lies behind the plant’s appearance
The thread is a shoot
The fine “thread” you see is not one long leaf. It is a branchlet bearing many tiny scale-like leaves, which together create the cultivar’s characteristic thread-like texture.
Tiny spherical cones
In the species Chamaecyparis pisifera, cones are around 6 mm across with 10–12 woody scales. Their rounded shape differs from the elongated cones of Thuja. They are not edible fruit.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for this particular cultivar.
01Does yellow colour mean a nutrient deficiency?
Not by itself. Golden-yellow new growth is characteristic of the cultivar. Dry, brittle brown foliage is a different symptom.
02Will it remain a small ball forever?
No. It grows slowly but continues to increase in size. Plan for its future crown, not just its current pot.
03Does it need clipping to become rounded?
Its rounded habit is natural. Frequent clipping removes the trailing tips that give it character.
04Why is it greener inside?
Older foliage matures to greener tones, while young tips are more golden.
05Can it grow in a rock garden?
Yes, provided there is enough soil and available moisture. A rock garden does not mean the plant can remain permanently unwatered.
06Does it lose its foliage in winter?
No, it is evergreen. Some renewal of older inner foliage can occur without the entire crown becoming bare.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.