Gold Rider Leyland Cypress
Best evergreen choice for gardeners seeking vibrant, low-maintenance privacy screens.
The Gold Rider Leyland Cypress is a standout evergreen conifer, celebrated for its vibrant golden foliage. This Monrovia Growers selection boasts dense, bright gold-tipped sprays that create a striking visual contrast against its lime green interior. Its open, horizontal branching adds architectural interest, making it ideal as a focal point or for mass planting. It thrives in full sun and, once established, requires minimal watering. This versatile tree is perfect for creating eye-catching hedges, privacy screens, or windbreaks, offering year-round color and beauty to your landscape.
$79.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
7
/ 1209
#7 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-25%
Below average
Mature Height
35
/ ft
Who it's for
- Homeowners needing an immediate privacy screen or windbreak
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, year-round landscape contrast
- Landscapers working with diverse soil types and climates
Who should skip it
- Busy gardeners unable to commit to regular maintenance
- Gardeners in regions prone to fungal disease outbreaks
- Residents living in areas with frequent severe wind storms
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Vibrant golden foliage provides a dramatic contrast in any landscape design.
Privacy Utility
Dense branching structure creates an effective and attractive natural privacy screen.
Drought Tolerance
Requires minimal supplemental watering once the root system is fully established.
Deer Resistance
High natural resistance helps protect the tree from common garden pests.
Growth Potential
Reaches significant height quickly, though requires ample space for mature width.
Maintenance Ease
Low-maintenance evergreen that thrives with basic care and full sun exposure.
Key Specs
Mature Height
35 ft
Mature Width
15 ft
Light Needs
Full sun
Family Name
Cupressaceae
Deer Resistant
High
Hardiness Zone
05
Foliage Type
Evergreen
Water Needs
Low
Features
- Bright gold-tipped foliage for year-round color
- Creates excellent visual contrast
- Suitable for hedges and privacy screens
- Deer resistant
- Tolerates mild drought
- Low water needs when mature
- Evergreen conifer
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Gold Rider Leyland Cypress for its exceptional quality and vibrant aesthetic appeal. Reviewers frequently note the plant's robust health upon delivery, attributing strong initial growth to Monrovia's reliable cultivation standards. The striking golden foliage is a major draw, providing excellent visual interest and reliable screening. While the initial investment is higher, consumers feel the superior quality and successful establishment justify the value.
Know before you buy
To create a dense, effective privacy screen, space your Gold Rider Leyland Cypress trees approximately 8 to 10 feet apart. This allows enough room for their 15-foot mature width while ensuring the branches eventually touch to form a solid wall.
Yes, this variety is prized for its consistent color. The outer sprays maintain a bright, golden-yellow hue throughout the seasons, providing a striking contrast against the lime-green interior foliage even in winter.
The Gold Rider Leyland Cypress is considered highly deer resistant. While no plant is completely immune to hungry deer, they typically avoid this variety, making it a reliable choice for landscapes in areas with high deer populations.
Once established, this tree is quite low-maintenance. It requires minimal watering and does not need frequent pruning, though you can lightly trim it if you prefer a more formal, manicured shape for your hedge.
These trees prefer well-drained soil to prevent root issues. If your landscape has heavy clay or tends to hold standing water, consider amending the soil with organic matter or planting on a slight mound to improve drainage.
Like other Leyland Cypress varieties, this is a vigorous grower. Under optimal conditions with full sun and consistent moisture during its first few years, you can expect a steady, rapid increase in height until it reaches its mature size of 35 feet.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$80