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Chamaecyparis pisifera 'FILIFERA AUREA' sawara cypress
Chamaecyparis
The genus Chamaecyparis comprises a small group of coniferous trees native exclusively to eastern Asia and the western regions of North America. Botanically, it belongs to the cypress family and is characterised by its fine branch structure, scale‑like foliage and remarkable diversity of forms and colours, which has made it one of the most important genera of ornamental conifers. The genus was first formally described by Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher (1804–1849) in the first half of the nineteenth century, at a time when Europe was becoming increasingly familiar with the flora of the Far East. Fossil evidence suggests that the ancestors of modern false cypresses were once far more widely distributed, making the genus another example of woody plants that survived major climatic shifts in restricted refuges.
The Sawara cypress is native to Japan, where it grows mainly in mountainous regions of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu at elevations of approximately 400 to 1800 metres. Its specific epithet refers to the small, pea‑like cones it produces. The species was first scientifically described by Carl Peter Thunberg (1743–1828), one of Carl Linnaeus’s most prominent students, who reached Japan during a period of near total isolation from the outside world. In its homeland, the tree has long been traditionally used; its wood is valued for its lightness, durability and fine texture and has been employed in the construction of temples, shrines and traditional bathhouses. When crushed, the branchlets release a pleasant resinous scent. The tree is regarded as a symbol of calm and balance and is often planted near sacred sites; in Central Europe it is also commonly found in cemeteries. Unlike many other false cypresses, Chamaecyparis pisifera is exceptionally variable, which has led to the selection of numerous garden forms differing in habit and colour.
Filifera Aurea is an exceptionally elegant cultivar of sawara cypress, immediately recognisable by its long, thread‑like, pendulous branchlets that create a soft, cascading habit reminiscent of a golden waterfall. The scale‑like leaves are minute, closely appressed to the shoots and display a vivid golden‑yellow colour, most intense in full sun. The overall form is broadly conical to irregularly domed, with naturally drooping branch tips. Compared with the species, growth is slower, the structure finer and the colouring markedly lighter. The cultivar arose as a golden mutation of the form ‘Filifera’ and was selected in European nurseries before 1891, a period when golden‑leaved plants enjoyed great popularity. The name ‘Filifera’ refers to the thread‑like character of the branches, while ‘Aurea’ highlights their golden hue.
In the garden, ‘Filifera Aurea’ functions primarily as a specimen plant or a strong accent in compositions based on contrasting textures. It shows to best effect against a dark background, for example in front of yews, firs or dark‑leaved rhododendrons, where its colour appears almost luminous. It also works beautifully in Japanese‑inspired gardens, near water features or stones, where its pendulous branches soften hard lines. Thanks to its slow growth, it is suitable even for smaller gardens, where it can serve for decades as a stable, unchanging element. In European gardens, ‘Filifera Aurea’ typically reaches a height of 2 to 3 metres, often only after several decades. Taller specimens are rare and confined to exceptionally favourable conditions. Growth is more pronounced in width than in height, and the plant retains the character of a large, gracefully weeping shrub.
Cultivation of sawara cypress is straightforward provided its basic requirements are met. It prefers acidic to neutral, humus‑rich and well‑drained soil with a constant supply of moisture, particularly during the first years after planting. Although it naturally occurs in alluvial soils with ample water, these sites never experience prolonged waterlogging, as excess water drains freely through permeable substrates. The plant does not tolerate drying out of the root ball. It thrives best in a sunny position, where its colouring remains most intense, but it will also tolerate light shade. Exposed, windy sites are unsuitable, not because of desiccation, but due to mechanical stress that can distort the fine, pendulous branches. Pruning is unnecessary and is carried out only rarely. Hardiness is excellent, withstanding temperatures down to around −29 °C (USDA zone 5) without damage.
Last update 10-01-2008; 20-01-2026
