This library and any plant lists generated from it reflect plants we’ve carried or could obtain over the past 12–18 months, not our current inventory or availability.

“Fire Wise” plants are not fireproof. These plants, when maintained properly, have a higher fire resistance reducing fire danger. This list is built on the recommendations of local governments and the Diablo Firesafe Council

Plant Library
shrub

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar

Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Aurea'

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Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Aurea') at East Bay Nursery

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica 'Elegans Aurea') at East Bay Nursery

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar foliage

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  15 feet

Spread:  10 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  6a

Description:

A delicate species with fine, almost fuzzy golden foliage turning green in winter, suitable for use as a large garden or landscape accent

Ornamental Features

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape for its decidedly oval form. It has attractive yellow evergreen foliage. The scale-like sprays of foliage are highly ornamental and remain yellow throughout the winter. The peeling antique red bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a shapely oval form. It lends an extremely fine and delicate texture to the landscape composition which can make it a great accent feature on this basis alone.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. 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.

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Vertical Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Golden Elegans Japanese Cedar will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub 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 particular about its soil conditions, with a strong preference for rich, acidic soils, and is able to handle environmental salt. 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 selected variety of a species not originally from North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone  Plant Height  Minimum Sunlight  Soil pH Preference 
Characteristics
Accent  Articulation  Massing  Screening 
Applications
Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form  Bark  Winter Value 
Features & Attributes

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