Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Aurea Densa' / golden dense Lawson cypress

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Aurea Densa' is a slow-growing, conical selection of Lawson cypress with striking golden-yellow foliage that remains stable year-round. It is considered by many to be among the best golden dwarf conifers. Branchlets are held stiffly upright with dense adpressed foliage. Typical rate of growth in most areas is 2 to 3 inches (5 - 7.5 cm) annually, resulting in a golden pyramid 2 to 3 feet (40 - 60 cm) tall after 10 years.

This cultivar is one of several famous seedling selections made in the 1920s by W.H. Rogers & Sons nursery, UK using seed from C. lawsoniana 'Stewartii.' The original propagations could still be found on the grounds in Eastleigh. In 1984, the original, 40-year-old seedlings were reported to stand nearly 6 feet (1.8 m) tall. Sadly, the nursery suffered a fire in the 1990s and the site has build over.

Attribution from: Aris Auders & Derek Spicer; RHS Encyclopedia of Conifers; ©2012 Kingsblue Press