Conifers
Gold Rider Leyland cypress
Cupressocyparis leylandii 'Gold Rider'
'Gold Rider' Leyland cypress brightens evergreen planting with yellow-gold outer foliage and greener shaded growth. Its broad upright framework suits a specimen or managed screen with a realistic maintenance plan. A garden-size reference of about 12 feet tall by 6 feet wide describes one stage, not an ultimate limit; unpruned trees can become substantially larger. This selection is often less vigorous than green Leyland forms but still needs growing room. Give it sun to partial shade, reliable drainage, and spacing that allows airflow. Water during establishment and inspect browning branches. Wear gloves when pruning because foliage contact may irritate skin.
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At a glance
- Mature height
- About 12 ft at garden size; substantially larger unpruned
- Mature spread
- About 6 ft at garden size; grows broader
- Light
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Hardy to USDA Zone 6
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Use Gold Rider as a golden evergreen specimen or a managed screen where there is room for continued growth. Its slower growth makes it more manageable than typical Leyland cypress.
Where to plant
Allow space around the foliage for air and maintenance access. The approximate 12-by-6-foot garden size describes an intermediate stage, not an ultimate height or width limit.
Through the seasons
Golden outer foliage contrasts with greener growth inside the plant. Winter shoots can take on a yellow-green tone.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Good drainage and summer establishment water help reduce stress in Northwest gardens. Avoid crowding a screen, which restricts airflow and makes dying branches harder to notice and reach.
Soil, drainage & water
Use well-drained soil and water consistently while roots establish. Check moisture through dry spells, especially in hedges where neighboring plants compete, without keeping the root zone saturated.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Prune a hedge regularly while the growth is manageable, keeping cuts within green foliage. Check for yellowing or dying branches before trimming and investigate persistent dieback.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Canker and branch dieback
Individual branches may yellow, turn brown, or die back, sometimes with visible cankers.
Help your plant thrive
Reduce drought stress and crowding. Identify affected branches and prune in dry weather when removal is recommended.
Foliage blight
Patches of foliage can brown and look scorched.
Help your plant thrive
Maintain air movement through the planting and avoid unnecessary overhead watering. Inspect recurring damage before selecting treatment.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Weeping Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Pendula'
A sculptural evergreen with hanging branches that can become an upright specimen or a low spreading feature, depending on its form and early training.
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Cupressina Norway Spruce
Picea abies 'Cupressina'
Dense, ascending branches create a slender evergreen column, offering substantial height and winter structure where a full-width spruce would demand too much horizontal space.
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2016.04.12 18.49.07 DSC03409 - Flickr - andrey zharkikh.jpg
Andrey Zharkikh from Salt Lake City, USA
CC BY 2.0 · Web-optimized
Weeping White Spruce
Picea glauca 'Pendula'
A narrow evergreen with an upright leader and dramatically hanging blue-green branches, suited to a cool, open planting space where its tall silhouette can develop.
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