Georgia Gardener Newsletter
Cool Plant of the Month: April 10, 2014

Donard Gold Monterey Cypress
Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Donard Gold'
Syn. Cupressus macrocarpa


Species Native Range: Monterey Peninsula of California
Hardiness: USDA Zones 7-10
Mature Size: 25-30 feet tall & 8 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
Soil: Rich, very well-drained
Drought Tolerance: Excellent
Ease of Culture: Easy

If you have ever been to the Monterey Peninsula in California, you probably wouldn't recognize the plant above as a cultivar of the massive and impressive cypresses that are found along the coast. Don't worry, I wouldn't have recognized it either. What did catch my eye at the nursery was the impressive color combination of the chartreuse foliage and reddish-cinnamon colored bark. Upon closer inspection, I realized that the foliage is faintly fragrant having a citrus aroma unlike some other conifers (see cute anecdote below).

Donard Gold Monterey Cypress is a slow to medium fast grower that will reach a mature size of 30x8 making it a great replacement for Leyland Cypresses. Because their native soil is sandy and rocky, they are best planted in soil heavily amended with coarse sand or fine gravel (Permatil, etc.) as good drainage is necessary. Plant in full sun.

Use DG Monterey Cypress as a screen or large backdrop. Younger plants can be used in containers. Since the foliage is chartreuse year round, use plants with foliage or flowers that are complementary in color (from pink to lavender and maybe to blue). Varieties of loropetalum with deep lavender foliage would be excellent as would ninebark 'Diabolo' (sometimes called Diablo), elderberry 'Black Lace,' etc. These plants reach varying heights up to 8+ feet, so plan for size. Knockout roses with their bright pink flowers would also make great companion plants. Avoid plants with golden/yellow foliage or flowers as they won't blend well.

Personal anecdote: If you have junipers, you know the foul odor they can have. I opened my windows last week for the first time in six months. The living room filled with a stinky smell and I was threatening the cats with death if I found out where they had done it. Only I had forgotten that below my front windows is a juniper hedge. My apologies to Merlin and Hogan.

Sources

DG Monterey Cypress is from Monrovia and can be found at nurseries that carry their plants. The one pictured above was found at the Suwanee Pike Nurseries.







Copyright © 2014 by Theresa Schrum - All rights reserved
No part of this website may be reproduced without the expressed written permission of Theresa Schrum