Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' / Cripps' golden Hinoki cypress

Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' is a widely grown, broadly conical, tree form of Hinoki cypress with spreading branches and pendant sprays of bright, golden-yellow foliage that is at its best in sunny settings. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 10 feet (3 m) tall and 4.5 feet (1.5 m) wide, an annual growth rate of nearly 12 inches (30 cm).

It should be noted that 'Crippsii' is sensitive to extreme cold and drying winds, making it potentially ill-suited for use in the upper midwest parts of the United States.

This cultivar originated as a seedling selected in the early 1900s by T. Cripps & Sons Nursery, Thunbridge Wells, United Kingdom.

A 'Cripps' in Brunswick, Maine, 2013. Note that its siting produces more pronounced yellow on the right side where it gets more sun.
Photo by Sean Callahan
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' in The Gotelli Collection, U.S. National Arboretum, Washington, D.C.; photo from May 2006.
Photo by Dax Herbst
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' — a 2005 accession at the New York Botanical Garden, The Bronx, New York. in the Benenson Ornamental Conifer Collection (USDA Hardiness Zone 7a); photo from 2020.
Photo by Katherine Wagner-Reiss
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' — a closeup of foliage detail.
Photo by Sandra McLean Cutler
Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Crippsii' — photo copyright of The Wildlife & Conifer Garden. donated by Don and Nonda Surrat, Ohio, USA.
Photo by Nonda Surratt

Comments

Kathy Reynolds

My outdoor shrub (hinoki cypress 'Crippsii') leaves are turning brown and turning under. Please advise what I can do to address this issue. Also include if the shrub is getting too much or too little water. Thank you

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David Olszyk

" leaves are turning brown and turning under" ► on the whole plant or just here and there? If it's the whole plant it's probably already gone.

too much or too little water? ► this is a symptom of both. How long have you had the plant in the ground? Is it in the ground? ... or in a container? When newly planted, strong direct sun can also fry the foliage.

Reply

Debi

I have this same problem, it comes & goes with the seasons. Seems during the winter is when it gets the brown. Live in Zone 7a, we have rainy, windy winters so I'm guessing thats the reason. It goes away during the summer months. Crippsii branches tend to lop so I don’t think that’s an issue. Mine is 3 yo & in full sun.

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