The Chamaecyparis pisifera Golden Mop is a favorite among American gardeners as it brings bright colors to the garden in spring. A few varieties of Japanese threadleaf false cypress shrubs are available that can retain their color in summer. These shrubs thrive in slope plantings and work well in foreground planting with finely textured golden foliage. The best time to plant the dwarf shrub is in spring after the last frost, but it is a slow-growing plant. The other fantastic thing is it is deer-resistant.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Brightly colored, Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Golden Mop’ (Sawara Cypress) is a dwarf conifer forming a globose to conical, evergreen shrub, turning into a dense bush of golden threads over time. The gracefully drooping, finely textured, cord-like foliage is bright golden-yellow, particularly in spring when the new growth emerges. The foliage keeps its brilliant color year-round, adding drama to the landscape, particularly in winter.
Slow-growing, this hardy evergreen shrub has an annual growth rate of 1.5-2 in. (3-5 cm). Attractive during all seasons, this compact and hardy Sawara Cypress provides unusual texture in the landscape and looks charming in rockeries.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
The gold mop cypress thrives in full sun with occasional dappled light in a southern end garden. When the shrub does not receive enough direct sunlight, the desired golden foliage color is less vibrant. It will also grow sparse and leggy.
When you live in warmer regions, please provide them with morning sun and afternoon shade.
Temperature and Humidity
The thread-like shrub is hardy in different growing zones, and it helps to check out the variety you have to grow in your area. But the mop-like shrub does best in the summer heat without fuss and appreciates protection from strong winds.
Watering
For gold mop cypress, the ground must remain moist and watered once a week during summer until your young plants become established. Once your shrub has an established root system, it is drought tolerant and does not need watering much.
You can add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture when planted in a dry spot. It is important not to let them stand in wet soil, as it will cause the root ball to rot.
Soil
This particular plant can grow in different soil types, but it needs well-drained soil. For sandy soil, amend it with some organic matter like compost. The tree prefers acidic soils, but check the variety of golden mop cypress you grow.
Fertilizing
The gold mop cypress benefits from early spring feeds, whether grown as a low hedge or in containers. These plants can do fine without feeding, but it does help to produce a vibrant color on the stringy leaves.
For a young plant, you can feed them in the first season with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. Once established, fertilize them with a 4-8-8 feed.
Pruning
The shrub does not need much pruning but can be trimmed to give it a unique shape. With too much pruning, it will ruin the appearance. So, you can leave it unpruned and remove only the dead or broken branches.
If you must do pruning, the best time to do it is in spring.
Propagation
You can easily propagate using hardwood cuttings done as follows:
- Take your pruners and cut a four-inch cutting during winter.
- Remove the foliage at the bottom about two inches.
- Dip the cut end into a rooting hormone and keep it in moist soil that drains well.
- Please give it a good soaking and allow the excess water to run out before planting it.
- Cover the container with a plastic bag to retain moisture and ensure it does not touch your cutting.
- Please place it in a warm spot and water as needed for the first week or more until the roots form.
- Once the root system forms, you can place your sampling in a sunny spot until the time comes to transplant it outdoors.
Growing Golden Mop Cypress Seed
- If you have the patience, you can sow the seed by following these steps:
- You can harvest the cones in the fall, dry them, and open them up.
- Remove the seeds and soak them in water for 24 hours.
- Remove the seeds that sank to the bottom and discard the floating ones.
- Wrap the seed in a moist paper towel and place it in a plastic bag in the fridge for two months.
- When the two months are up, you can sow the seeds in a potting mix and keep them in a warm area.
- Germination can take up to three months, and once the seeds germinate, place the pot in indirect light for the first year.
- When the seedlings are accustomed to the sun, you can transplant them outdoors in the second year.
Potting and Repotting
You can grow gold mop cypress in the landscape or containers. You can choose a small cultivar like the gold mop and select a large pot size to grow it for up to three years.
Choose one a size bigger in diameter than the root ball, depending on the variety you have.
Overwintering
The gold mop cypress is cold and hardy to some extent, and if you grow them outside, you can use some mulch for protection. For container growth, protect them by placing them closer to the home.
Pests and Diseases
The gold mop cypress is relatively pest-free, but insect problems like spider mites and black vine weevils can feed on the plants. Place a cloth underneath your shrub to gently shake the branches to catch the bugs that fall on it.
For scale insects, you can use an insecticidal soap. For blight fungus, you will notice the twigs turning brown, mainly resulting in death with younger trees.
III. Uses and Benefits
The gold mop cypress is perfect as a specimen plant, for foundation plantings or rock gardens.
