Vintage Gold False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Vintage Gold')
‘Vintage Gold’ is a common, reliable cultivar of Sawara Cypress, known for its soft golden foliage and compact, slow-growing habit. It maintains its color year-round and forms a neat, dense shape, making it a good option for container growing, landscapes, or bonsai training.
 
As a Bonsai:
Not a traditional bonsai species, but its fine foliage and compact form give it potential for upright or informal styles. Best suited for growers who want a hardy conifer with consistent color and manageable growth.
 
📢 This is a cold-hardy species—it requires a winter dormancy and should be kept outside year-round. In locations with extreme cold, we recommend placing it on the ground, mulching around the pot, and protecting it from wind.
 
Plant Features:
Hardiness Zone: 4–8 (cold-hardy and requires winter dormancy)
Growth Habit: Compact and conical; slow-growing
Mature Size: 3–5 ft in the landscape; smaller in containers or bonsai
Foliage: Soft, golden-yellow threadlike foliage that holds color through winter
Bark: Reddish-brown, developing light texture with age
Sun Requirements: Full sun for best color
Soil Type: Moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil
Water Needs: Moderate; prefers steady moisture