Here's another picture of a closeup of this same plant:

I think you've accurately ID'd it as Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera 'Golden Mop'. The reddish color on the tips is probably burn from cold or wind or salt this winter. IME gold evergreens are more gold where they get more light, so the interior tends to be more green than the outer parts of branches due to shading of the interior. As for the size, it was probably planted for the winter color as small plants and may well be discarded in the spring. Otherwise it will outgrow the pot sooner or later.

I just borrowed the book Designing with conifers by R.L.Bitner from the library; on pg.81 there is a photo looking very similar to yours. Description reads:
Calocedrus decurrens 'Berrima Gold' (incense-cedar): slow growing, bright gold foliage that looks deep gold to orange in the winter...could that be it?
(hope it's ok to quote from the book...?)
Rina

EDIT-EDIT:
Had better look at your photo - I think I am wrong.
Your plant looks like a Chamaecyparis...Sorry for the confusion!

This post was edited by rina_ on Fri, Mar 21, 14 at 22:01

Wrong habit and foliage, this is definitely one of the gold thread-branch Chamaecyparis pisifera clones.

Looked through a few pictures on google of the "Berrima Gold" - that color is definitely spot on ! Though if it really is what you suspect it is, it wouldn't make sense to put those guys in a planter... which means regardless of what it is, nhbabs is prob right about it only being utilized for the pop of color in winter, and then discarded... Disheartening :( I thought I had found a great teeny tiny dwarf shrub with naturally red/brown tips.

Edit: Okay ! So its definitely a Chamaecyparis then :P

This post was edited by strawberrypoe on Fri, Mar 21, 14 at 22:14

Yes bboy, that's why I edited...look twice-speak once, right:)

Rina

I thought I had found a great teeny tiny dwarf shrub with naturally red/brown tips.

==>>> it is a conifer ... i have around 600 of them.. and am vaguely familiar with many others ...

i can not think of a single one.. that has red tips for more that a day or two in spring... and that one isnt worthy ... as the show is measured in hours ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: link