Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Vintage Gold'

Chamaecyparis ‘Vintage Gold’ is a compact-growing evergreen with fernlike foliage that is soft to the touch. In the landscape, its golden foliage will glimmer all year without fading.

The dwarf variety grows 18-30 inches tall and wide and forms a neat, compact rounded mound. It’s suitable for foundation planting, rock gardens, sloping banks, mixed borders and raised beds.

‘Vintage Gold’ is part of the Garden Splendor program from Overdevest Nurseries in Bridgeton, N.J.

Golden discovery

‘Vintage Gold’ is a sport of Chamaecyparis ‘Golden Mop.’ It was discovered by Greg Stropkey at his Seven Springs Nursery in Painesville, Ohio. ‘Golden Mop’ is one of the most popular and reliable coniferous evergreens, regularly out selling other golden-leaved conifers by a strong margin, according to David Wilson, marketing director for Garden Splendor.

“Any progeny stemming from this outstanding selection has to command attention,” Wilson said.

In the nursery

Production of ‘Vintage Gold’ is no different from other conifers. It grows well in containers or as a balled-and-burlapped plant. It’s propagated by cuttings. ‘Vintage Gold’ has a medium growth rate. It’s relatively pest and disease free, but watch for problems that sometimes occur in the genus, such as juniper blight and root rot.

In trials conducted by Overdevest Nurseries and Garden Splendor, ‘Vintage Gold’ was just as reliable as its parent, Wilson said.

In the landscape

‘Vintage Gold’ is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8. Plant it in full sun or part shade. Drainage is important because the selection will not grow well in heavy, poorly drained sites. It will establish quickly when soil is amended with organic matter.

An occasional feeding and mulch will help to maintain the plant’s vigor. A light shearing in early spring or summer will accentuate the shape and intensify the dramatic, golden foliage. Clip only the young juvenile growth to maintain the desired height.

‘Vintage Gold’ makes a great selection for foundation plantings, mixed borders, raised beds, sloping banks and rock gardens. It creates an impressive sea of gold when planted in groups.

“Stropkey says that he named it ‘Vintage Gold’ because ‘like a good wine, it improves with age,’” Wilson said. “He says that ‘the older it gets, the better it becomes,’ so the name ‘Vintage Gold’ is certainly appropriate.”

Specifics

Name: Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Vintage Gold’

Common name: Japanese false cypress.

Description: Compact-growing shrub with bright, golden, ferny-leaved foliage. The color remains constant year-round.

Size: Grows 18-30 inches tall and wide.

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-8.

Landscape uses: Rock gardens, foundation plantings, mixed borders, raised beds and even as a groundcover. It grows best in full sun to part shade and average, well-drained soil.

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For more: Overdevest Nurseries, (888) 842-6567; www.overdevestnurseries.com, www.gardensplendor.com.

- Sarah Martinez

April 2008