Donard Gold Monterey Cypress
Best evergreen for gardeners seeking vibrant privacy screens and fragrant foliage.
The Donard Gold Monterey Cypress is a striking evergreen conifer with upright branching and distinctive two-toned chartreuse foliage, offering excellent contrast. Its fragrant leaves, reminiscent of citrus, and handsome cinnamon-colored bark add unique appeal. This versatile tree serves as a tall backdrop or can be shaped into a dense hedge or privacy screen. It thrives in full sun, prefers moist, well-drained soil, and is suitable for container planting. Once established, it exhibits good drought tolerance.
$89.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
7
/ 1209
#7 in Trees
Price vs Category Average
-16%
Below average
Mature Height
15
/ feet
Who it's for
- Landscapers seeking vibrant, year-round focal points
- Homeowners needing quick, dense privacy screens
- Coastal residents managing salt spray and wind
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in humid climates prone to fungal disease
- Urban dwellers with limited yard space
- Cold-climate gardeners in regions below Zone 7
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Chartreuse foliage provides a vibrant, high-contrast focal point for any landscape.
Privacy Utility
Dense branching habit creates an effective, natural screen for residential boundaries.
Environmental Adaptability
Drought tolerance after establishment makes this a resilient choice for gardeners.
Sensory Appeal
Citrus-scented needles offer a refreshing aromatic experience in outdoor living spaces.
Container Versatility
Compact growth allows for stylish, elevated placement in large patio planters.
Maintenance Ease
High deer resistance significantly reduces the need for protective garden interventions.
Key Specs
Mature Height
15 feet
Mature Width
8 feet
Light Needs
Full sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Foliage Type
Evergreen
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 7
Deer Resistant
High
Soil Type Preference
Well-drained
Features
- Unique two-toned chartreuse foliage
- Fragrant citrus-like leaves
- Attractive cinnamon-colored bark
- Deer resistant
- Ideal for hedges and privacy screens
- Suitable for container growing
- Drought tolerant when established
- Upright branching habit
What customers say
Customers consistently praise the Donard Gold Monterey Cypress for its exceptional quality and striking visual appeal. Reviewers frequently highlight the vibrant, year round golden foliage, noting that the plant arrives healthy and well established. The robust nature and reliable growth habit make it a favorite for adding architectural structure and brilliant color to the landscape. This cypress is seen as a worthwhile investment due to its superior health and stunning design impact.
Know before you buy
At maturity, this tree reaches 15 feet in height and 8 feet in width. You should space them at least 8 feet apart if you are planting them in a row to create a hedge or privacy screen.
Yes, the Donard Gold is well-suited for container gardening. Ensure your pot has excellent drainage and is large enough to accommodate the root system as the tree grows.
Yes, this variety is considered highly deer resistant. While no plant is completely immune if deer are desperate, it is an excellent choice for landscapes where deer pressure is a common concern.
It requires moderate watering while it is getting established in your landscape. Once it is fully settled, it exhibits good drought tolerance, though it will still perform best with occasional deep watering during extended dry spells.
The Donard Gold Monterey Cypress is hardy in USDA Zone 7. If your area experiences temperatures consistently below this zone, the tree may struggle to survive the winter.
Because of its upright branching habit, it naturally maintains a tidy form. You can lightly prune it to encourage denser growth or to maintain a specific height or width for your hedge.
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$90