Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Aurea’ is the full size golden version of the original Hinoki Cypress. With an upright habit and pyramidal form, when all grown up the Golden Hinoki Cypress can reach a height of 20 feet or more and 10 to 15 feet wide at its base. Its gracefully spreading branches are clothed in cupped sprays of golden-yellow new foliage that contrasts beautifully with the mature, rich green interior foliage. Though the foliage is quite dense, attractive reddish brown bark with striking texture peeks through here and there for extra-added contrast and color. The Golden Hinoki is a fine, long-lived evergreen specimen or grouping in landscape borders and home foundation plantings. Also a nice addition to privacy screen plantings.

With an upright habit and pyramidal form to 20 feet tall or so and 10 to 15 feet wide at the base, the Golden Hinoki Cypress is ideal for use as a focal point specimen in landscape borders or to frame corners of homes or other buildings. Also nice in spaced groupings with trees at least 15 feet or so apart and is a colorful addition to privacy screen plantings. Also very nice in pots, planters and other containers that can be situated on patios, decks and around other outdoor sitting and living spaces. The skillful pruner can create very interesting pom pom topiary forms with this selection. A fine addition to conifer gardens, yellow theme gardens, Asian theme gardens, and the Xeriscape (low water needs). 

Suggested Spacing:  7-8 feet apart for privacy screens; 16 feet or more apart for space between plants

The Golden Hinoki Cypress is exceptionally hardy and easy to grow in most any moist but well-drained soil of average fertility. As with many other conifers and ornamental plants and trees, it does not like a constantly soggy or wet soil, which can cause root rot. It will grow in full sun to part shade. For best performance we suggest at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day and a little filtered sun or shade during the midafternoon hours in hot-summer climates. It has good drought tolerance when established but will appreciate an occasional deep soaking during prolonged periods of summer drought. No pruning required though a stray or damaged stem or branch can be removed any time of year. In fact, we think pruning or shearing destroys the natural beauty of the tree. That said, skilled pruners can create some very interesting topiary shapes and forms such as pom pom.