• Photo of Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea's)

Plant Profile: Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea'

Names

Golden Fernleaf Cypress

  • Photo of Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' (Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea's)

Phonetic Spelling:kam-ay-SIP-a-ris ob-TOO-sa

Genus:Chamaecyparis

Species:obtusa

Family:Cupressaceae

The Golden Fernleaf Cypress is a compact, irregularly conical dwarf variety of Hinoki cypress, characterized by its asymmetrical branches that either rise or spread out, often tapering or slightly drooping at the ends. This unique growth pattern gives the foliage a distinctive texture reminiscent of fern fronds. The leaves display a vibrant golden hue on their exposed surfaces, while the shaded areas take on a green tone. Notably, this plant is resilient against sunburn.

For optimal growth, it should be planted in moist, well-drained soil and can thrive in full sun to partial shade, with the most vivid coloration achieved in locations receiving 4 to 5 hours of sunlight daily. It serves well as a standalone specimen or can be showcased in a large container.

For further details on Chamaecyparis obtusa, please refer to additional resources.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Feature Summary

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#shrub
#yellow leaves
#winter interest
#fall interest
#summer interest
#spring interest

Similar Plants

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Feature Summary

Fruit
No true fruits, seed bearing cones.
Brown/Copper
Flowers
No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.
Leaves
The scale-like leaves are held upright and have a ferny appearance. Color is yellow on outer leaves and green interior leaves.
Green
Gold/Yellow
Orange
Needles
Attributes
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Clay
High Organic Matter
Sand
Landscape

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Fruit

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Fruit Description

No true fruits, seed bearing cones.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Fruit Color

grass
Brown/Copper

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Flowers

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Flower Description

No true flowers, pollen bearing cones.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Flower Bloom Time

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Leaves

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Leaf Description

The scale-like leaves are held upright and have a ferny appearance. Color is yellow on outer leaves and green interior leaves.

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Leaf Color

spa
Gold/Yellow
spa
Green
spa
Orange

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Hairs Present

No
Yes

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Attributes

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Whole Plant Traits

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Cultural Conditions

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
4a
thermostat
4b
thermostat
5a
thermostat
5b
thermostat
6a
thermostat
6b
thermostat
7a
thermostat
7b
thermostat
8a
thermostat
8b
thermostat
9a
thermostat
9b

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Stem

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea' Landscape

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Tetragona Aurea': Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland