Golden hinoke cypress is a dwarf evergreen tree in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family with a broadly conical form. The parent plant is native to Japan. The genus name comes from the Greek words chamai, which means dwarf, and kyparissos, which means cypress tree.
The plant grows in full sun to partial shade on acidic, well-drained, moist loam soil. The golden color will be the most dramatic in full sun. It will tolerate occasional flooding and browsing by deer.
This cultivar has spreading branches and pendant sprays of bright, showy foliage that bring an attractive golden color to winter gardens. The tree grows upright, and the foliage matures to yellow on the interior of the tree with some yellow on the green tips, giving it a two-toned effect.
With its slow to moderate growth rate, it can be used as a specimen tree, in bonsai, and around water gardens, ponds, and streams. Planted in the background of a perennial garden, the golden foliage makes for a beautiful backdrop.