Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ 20cm (Bonsai Bowl)

The Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ is a stunning evergreen conifer that adds a splash of golden colour to your garden all year round. This compact, slow-growing tree is perfect for smaller spaces, rockeries, or as a focal point in mixed borders. Its bright, thread-like foliage creates a soft, feathery texture that catches the light beautifully, especially in the morning and evening sun. The ‘Sungold’ variety is particularly eye-catching, with its vibrant yellow-gold needles that maintain their colour throughout the seasons.

This low-maintenance tree is ideal for busy gardeners or those new to growing conifers. It’s hardy and adaptable, thriving in most well-drained soils and tolerating both full sun and partial shade. In sunnier spots, the golden hues become more intense, creating a dazzling display. The Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ also makes an excellent choice for container gardening, allowing you to bring its cheerful presence to patios, balconies, or entryways.

As it matures, this tree develops a lovely conical shape, reaching a modest height of about 1-1.5 metres over 10 years. This slow growth rate means it won’t outgrow its space, making it a reliable choice for long-term garden planning. The dense foliage of the Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ also provides a cosy shelter for small birds and wildlife, adding ecological value to your garden.

Originally from Japan, the Sawara cypress has been cultivated for centuries and prized for its ornamental qualities. The ‘Sungold’ cultivar brings a modern twist to this classic tree, offering a brighter, more vivid option for contemporary gardens. Its golden needles create a lovely contrast when planted alongside deep green or blue-tinted conifers, or when set against red or purple-leaved shrubs.

Whether you’re looking to add year-round colour, create structure in your garden, or simply enjoy a low-fuss, attractive plant, the Sawara cypress ‘Sungold’ is an excellent choice. Its versatility, visual appeal, and easy care requirements make it a favourite among UK gardeners of all experience levels.

Sawara Cypress ‘Sungold’ is relatively easy to care for, which is good news for UK gardeners. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, but it’s adaptable to various soil types. When you first plant it, water regularly for the first growing season to help it establish. After that, it appreciates consistent moisture but can tolerate short periods of drought. Feed it with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring if desired, but it generally doesn’t require much feeding. Pruning isn’t usually necessary unless you want to maintain a specific shape or size. If you need to prune, do it in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.

Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height
10–20 years

Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres

🇬🇧 UK Grown in Lancashire. Approx 20cm – 20cm tall in a bonsai bowl.