‘Plumosa Aurea’ Sawara false-cypress is a needled evergreen shrub in the cypress family (Cupressaceae). It is an old cultivar that originated in Japan in 1861. This small shrub will take around 10 years to mature to a height of 4.5 to 6 feet tall and 4 to 10 feet wide and has an open, rounded to conical form. The genus name derives from the Greek word chamai, for dwarf or low to the ground, and kyparissos, for “cypress.” The species name, pisifera, is Latin and refers to the small, rounded cones borne by this plant. The cultivar name means “golden feathery.” Plant in any rich, moist, well-drained soil and in full sun to partial shade. The best needle color will come from plantings in full sun. This plant tolerates hedge trimming or shearing to maintain a particular shape. Mulch the plant to keep the root zone cool and moist. This false-cypress has young, needled foliage that is an attractive bronze-yellow to a creamy color and gives the plant a fluffy appearance. 'Plumosa Aurea' retains more of the softer-colored foliage than other false-cypresses do. Its diminutive size makes it a great choice for small spaces like courtyards or patio gardens. It works equally well planted in containers or in the lawn or shrub borders as an accent or screening hedge. However, its soft needles will make you want it planted close so you can enjoy its texture. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect problems. Blight, honey fungus, and Phytophthora root rot are occasional problems. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Chamaecyparis pisifera .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheChamaecyparis pisiferaThuja occidentalis 'Degroot' s Spire'x Hesperotropsis leylandii 'Reco'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Shrub
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet; 6-feet-12 feet; 24-60 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Branchlets with feathery bright yellow needle-like leaves at the tips. Color gets more lime green toward the center of the plant. Needles may take on brown to bronze cast in winter. The needles are soft to the touch.
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower form
Insignificant
Flower detail
No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.
Fruit detail
No true fruits, seed bearing cones and rarely.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Patio; Small Space
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Garden for the Blind; Nighttime Garden; Winter Garden