Wilma Goldcrest Conifer: Goldcrest Wilma Plants for Sale

What is a Wilma Goldcrest conifer?

Wilma Goldcrest, often called lemon cypress, has fine, soft yellow-green foliage held in a naturally upright, tapering shape. New growth is particularly bright in good light, and the narrow outline makes a useful contrast to broad-leaved shrubs and low-growing planting. The leaves release a distinct citrus fragrance when brushed or crushed, which is why many gardeners call it lemon cypress.

Botanically it is Hesperocyparis macrocarpa 'Wilma', a selected form of Monterey cypress. It generally grows more slowly and stays narrower than typical Monterey cypress, although it can become a sizeable conifer over many years. Its upright form suits large containers and sheltered borders, provided there is room for continued growth.

Why choose a Goldcrest conifer for your garden?

Its slender, golden-green outline stands out beside rounded hebes, low heathers and darker evergreen foliage. A pair in matching pots can frame a front door, while a single plant adds height to a mixed patio display. The lemon scent is a bonus: position it beside a path or seating area where you will brush past the foliage.

It is evergreen, so the structure stays all year. The foliage colour varies with the season, looking freshest on new spring growth and richer in colder months. In a small town garden or a new-build plot, one or three Wilma Goldcrest plants can create a simple, modern feature without taking up much ground space.

How big do Goldcrest Wilma grow, and how fast?

Wilma Goldcrest may reach around 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 60 to 80cm wide over its earlier years in suitable conditions, but it is not limited to this size. Established plants can eventually become substantially taller, especially in open ground. Growth varies with warmth, light, moisture and shelter, so allow for its longer-term development rather than treating it as a permanently miniature conifer. The eventual size depends on growing conditions: plants in open ground with good light and moisture will reach the upper end of that range, while those kept in containers often stay smaller.

Its narrow habit takes up relatively little space while young, but allow enough room for the height and width it may develop over time. If you are planting a row as a low informal screen, allow roughly 60 to 80cm between plants so each one can develop its natural shape without crowding.

Where can I use Wilma Goldcrest?

This conifer suits several garden situations:

A single specimen in a large pot on a sunny patio or balcony.

A pair flanking an entrance or gateway.

A group of three or five in a border to give vertical rhythm among lower shrubs and perennials.

A short, informal hedge or screen where a narrow evergreen outline is needed, though it is slower to fill out than traditional hedging conifers.

In a family garden, keep it away from play areas if children are likely to grab the foliage, as the aromatic oils can irritate skin or upset a stomach if eaten.

Choosing a size: what is supplied

We list four pack options on this page so you can pick what suits your project. The single 2 litre pot is ideal if you want one feature plant. The multi-packs give you better value per plant when you need several for a border or a short run.

The single plant is listed in a 2 litre pot. The 6, 12 and 18-plant options do not have a pot size or root format specified in the catalogue, so these should be checked before ordering. The table compares the listed quantities and suggested uses.

When and how should I plant a lemon cypress?

Container-grown Wilma Goldcrest can be planted at any time of year, but the best windows are spring and early autumn. This gives the roots time to settle before the extremes of summer drought or winter wet. Choose a sunny spot with shelter from cold, drying winds, which can scorch the foliage.

Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth. Water the plant thoroughly before you remove the pot. Set the rootball in the hole so the top sits level with the surrounding soil, backfill, firm gently and water well. For a container, use a pot with drainage holes and a loam-based compost that holds moisture without staying soggy.

Spacing and how many plants you need

If you are planting a row of Wilma Goldcrest as a low informal hedge or screen, space the plants 60 to 80cm apart. This gives each one room to develop its natural shape while the foliage meets between them over time. The table below helps you work out quantities for common lengths.

Watering, feeding and trimming calendar

Watering: Keep the soil or compost moist but not waterlogged, especially in the first growing season. Container plants dry out faster, so check them regularly even in winter if the weather is dry or windy. Push a finger into the compost: if it feels dry below the surface, water thoroughly and let the excess drain away.

Feeding: In spring, apply a general-purpose slow-release fertiliser or a liquid feed every few weeks during the growing season. For container plants, a balanced feed used at the recommended strength is usually sufficient. Good light and healthy roots also help maintain the foliage colour.

Trimming: Wilma Goldcrest naturally keeps a neat shape and rarely needs clipping. If you want to tidy the outline, trim lightly in late spring or early summer, cutting only into green growth. Never cut back into old brown wood, as conifers do not regrow from bare stems.