Cupressus macrocarpa 'Goldcrest'

RHS Plant Profile
Monterey cypress 'Goldcrest'
Award of Garden Merit
Conifers Trees

A columnar, evergreen conifer with bright golden-yellow foliage in ascending sprays, colour persisting into winter

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Higher than 12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
more than 50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
Higher than 12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cupressaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Cupressus are vigorous, evergreen trees with flaking or scaly bark, often with columnar or narrowly ovoid crowns, small, often aromatic, scale-like leaves and small, spherical female cones
Name Status
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun with shelter from cold, drying winds. Tolerates dry conditions when established. Can be used for hedging. Height and spread determined by soil, location and prevailing weather. It usually reaches a height of 3-5m in 10 years, to 10m in 20 years and ultimately larger. See conifer cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings from young vigorous growth in late summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Architectural
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

No pruning required but can be pruned to control height and spread; prune hedges in late spring

Pests

May be susceptible to cypress aphid

Diseases

May be susceptible to various diseases including honey fungus, see Conifers: brown patches