Yellow Variegated Nootka Cypress
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis 'Aureovariegata'
Height: 30 feet
Spread: 15 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5
Other Names: Alaska Cedar, Nootka Falsecypress, Xanthocyparis
Description:
A truly show-stopping evergreen, featuring bright green foliage splashed with bright yellow, forms a graceful upright oval shape, absolutely wonderful accent tree for small landscapes; best in moist, rainy conditions but very adaptable
Ornamental Features
Yellow Variegated Nootka Cypress is primarily valued in the landscape for its decidedly oval form. It has attractive buttery yellow-variegated white foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain white throughout the winter. The shaggy antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Yellow Variegated Nootka Cypress is a dense evergreen tree with a shapely oval form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance tree. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Yellow Variegated Nootka Cypress is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Accent
- Vertical Accent
Planting & Growing
Yellow Variegated Nootka Cypress will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more.
This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.
