'Wilma' is a dwarf selection of the cultivar 'Goldcrest' propagated from a witch's broom. 'Wilma' matures to a height of only 6 feet. 'Wilma' is a narrow, columnar, evergreen conifer with year-round, bright yellow foliage. 'Wilma' tolerates a range of soil pH but needs well-drained soil and thrives in sandy soils. Because it grows quickly, you should avoid planting it in rich soil that would encourage quick growth and make it susceptible to strong winds. It can be grown in a container, but be sure to water regularly. It is an easy-to-grow plant that requires little pruning unless it is grown as a hedge. If you must prune, do so in the spring. Due to its small size, it can be used as a container plant. It is sometimes offered as a florist plant, but it is unsuited to long-term growth in a home. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to borers. Armillaria, phytophthora, root rot, and coryneum canker are disease problems. More information on Hesperocyparis macrocarpa .
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 obtusa 'Kosteri'Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Lutea'Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Goldcrest'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Shrub; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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
Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
2 - Understory
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Open
Foliage
Needled Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Needles
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf value
Fragrant; Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Soft, bright gold juvenile foliage with a greenish tint that persists year-round. Foliage has a strong lemon scent.