Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Aurea' is a small tree-form of Sawara cypress bright yellow new growth that darkens to green toward the center of the plant. Foliage is similar to Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea' but 'Aurea' develops a strong central leader if not pruned and can grow 12 inches (30 cm) per year. It will have a straight trunk with attractive reddish bark. C.pisifera 'Plumosa Aurea' in constrast, is multi-branched and denser. After 10 years of growth, one can expect a mature 'Aurea' to stand 6 feet (2 m) tall and 4 feet (60 cm) wide.
This is an old cultivar that originated long ago in Japan and was introduced to the European nursery trade by P.F. von Siebold and Robert Fortune.
