Lawson's Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Howarth's Gold'
ABOUT
The Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Howarth's Gold', commonly known as Lawson's cypress 'Howarth's Gold', is an eye-catching conifer that is prized for its beautiful foliage. It features striking golden-yellow foliage, adding a bright splash of color to any landscape. The vibrant leaves are fine and feathery, providing a soft texture. Its needles are arranged in flattened sprays, creating an attractive, somewhat layered look. The branching habit is dense and the overall shape of the tree is pyramidal, giving it a classic conifer silhouette. Furthermore, the bark of this plant has a reddish-brown color that provides an elegant contrast to the golden foliage. The appealing color and texture make Lawson's cypress 'Howarth's Gold' a stunning choice for ornamental purposes in gardens and parks.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Cupressaceae
Common names
Cupressus lawsoniana 'Aurea', Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Aurea'
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Lawson's Cypress is not generally considered toxic to humans. However, some individuals may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions when in contact with its foliage due to the natural oils and compounds found in the leaves. Ingesting any part of the plant is not advisable, but it typically doesn't result in serious poisoning or life-threatening circumstances. If ingestion does occur, it may lead to gastrointestinal discomfort such as nausea or vomiting. Always consult a medical professional if any part of the plant has been ingested or if a skin reaction occurs.
To pets
Lawson's Cypress is generally considered non-toxic to pets. However, it can still cause mild stomach upset if ingested, leading to symptoms like drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea. These symptoms are not typically severe, but if a pet consumes a large amount of the plant material or shows signs of significant distress, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian promptly. It’s important to discourage pets from chewing on plants to prevent any potential risks to their health.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Gold
Height
10 15 (3 4.6)
Spread
6 8 (1.8 2.4)
Plant type
Tree
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: The striking golden foliage of the Lawson cypress adds aesthetic interest to landscapes and gardens.
- Privacy Screen: Its dense growth habit makes it an excellent choice for creating privacy screens or hedges.
- Windbreak: It can serve as an effective windbreak, protecting gardens and homes from harsh winds.
- Erosion Control: The root system helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion on slopes and banks.
- Habitat for Wildlife: Provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it is relatively low maintenance, requiring minimal care.
- Drought Tolerance: It exhibits good drought tolerance once mature, suitable for xeriscaping.
- Year-Round Interest: Being evergreen, it provides year-round color and interest in the garden.
- Adaptability: Adapts to a range of soil types, though it prefers moist, well-drained soils.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting Material: The wood of the Lawson Cypress can be used in woodworking projects for decorative items due to its fine grain and attractive color.
- Model Building: Its fine-grained wood is also suitable for making detailed models, such as architectural models or model railways.
- Garden Structure: The branches can be pruned and shaped to create living structures such as garden arches or privacy hedges.
- Acoustic Barriers: Dense hedges of Lawson Cypress can act as sound barriers to help muffle noise pollution in gardens near busy roads.
- Culinary Smoking: Wood chips from Lawson Cypress can be used for smoking meats or fish to impart a unique flavor, although it is not commonly used like other woods.
- Essential Oils: The leaves and twigs can be processed to extract essential oils for use in aromatherapy and perfumes.
- Erosion Control: The root system of Lawson Cypress can help stabilize soil on slopes and prevent erosion.
- Bonsai: It can be grown as a bonsai tree, requiring careful shaping and pruning to maintain its miniature size.
- Wildlife Shelter: Dense plantings of Lawson Cypress can provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and other wildlife.
- Christmas Decor: While not as common as other conifers, Lawson Cypress branches can be used to create wreaths and other holiday decorations.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Lawson's Cypress is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Lawson's Cypress is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Longevity: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, commonly known as Lawson's Cypress, is an evergreen conifer symbolizing long life due to its enduring and persistent nature.
- Peace: The evergreen nature of Lawson's Cypress is often associated with tranquility and the calmness of evergreen forests, suggesting a sense of peace.
- Protection: Conifers like Lawson's Cypress are frequently seen as protective due to their hardy nature and their use in hedges and windbreaks, providing shelter from the elements.
- Sanctity: Due to their prominence in horticultural and landscape design, including use in sacred spaces like cemeteries, Lawson's Cypress may symbolize sanctity and reverence.
- Resilience: Lawson's Cypress is recognized for its ability to withstand various climates and conditions, making it a symbol of resilience and adaptability.
WaterThe Lawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold' should be watered regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During the first growing season, watering deeply once a week with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water is beneficial to establish a strong root system. After establishment, you can adjust the frequency depending on the weather conditions, generally reducing to every two weeks. In particularly hot or dry weather, increase watering frequency to prevent stress. It is important to water at the base of the plant, avoiding wetting the foliage to minimize the risk of fungal diseases.
LightLawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold' thrives best in full sun to partial shade conditions. The ideal spot for planting is where the plant will receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, while also being protected from the intense afternoon sun in very hot climates. Sufficient light ensures vibrant foliage color and healthy growth, but it is also crucial to avoid excessively shaded areas where the plant may become leggy and less compact.
TemperatureLawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold' is hardy and can withstand a wide range of temperatures, typically between -10°F to 80°F. The ideal temperature range for optimal growth is between 40°F and 70°F. It's important to protect the plant from extreme winter winds especially at the colder end of its tolerance range, as well as from excessive heat stress during the peak of summer.
PruningPruning Lawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold' is generally for maintaining shape and size or to remove any damaged or diseased branches. It is best to prune in late winter or early spring before the new growth starts. Light pruning can be done throughout the growing season for shaping. It is not necessary to prune often; once a year should be sufficient unless you are creating a specific shape or controlling size more vigorously.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the best soil mix for the Port Orford cedar, combine equal parts of loamy soil, peat, and sharp sand to ensure effective drainage. The ideal soil pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 5.5 to 7.
RepottingPort Orford cedar typically does not require frequent repotting; it should be repotted every 2-3 years or when it has outgrown its current pot, ensuring minimal root disturbance.
Humidity & MistingThe Port Orford cedar thrives in moderate to high humidity levels; ideally, humidity should range from 40-60% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright indirect light, keep soil slightly moist.
Outdoor
Full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, protect from wind.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleLawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold' begins its life cycle as a seed, usually germinating in a moist, well-drained environment. After germination, it enters the seedling stage, developing a root system and initial foliage. As it grows into a sapling, the plant exhibits a golden-yellow foliage that becomes more vibrant with sunlight. The mature stage is marked by robust growth with dense, textured foliage and can reach substantial heights if conditions are optimal. Reproductive maturity is signified by the production of cones, which will release seeds when the plant is stressed or during its natural reproduction cycle. Eventually, the plant may enter a phase of decline due to environmental factors, old age, or disease, culminating in death and the completion of the life cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Howarth's Gold', commonly known as Lawson's Cypress 'Howarth's Gold', is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. The best time to take these cuttings is in the late summer to early fall when the current season's growth has started to harden. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long and include several sets of leaves. The bottom set of leaves is removed, and the cut end can be treated with a rooting hormone to encourage root development. These prepared cuttings are then placed in a well-draining rooting medium and kept in a humid environment until roots have developed, which may take several weeks to a few months.
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