Likely C.j.'Elegans Aurea', a golden needled version of plume cryptomeria. The golden color is accentuated in winter; otherwise a mostly bright green appearance during the growing season. Mature height is smaller than that of 'Elegans' - perhaps more in line with 'Elegans Compacta'.

FWIW, there are at least 5 listed variations of plume cryptomeria - 'Compacta', 'Nana', 'Aurea', 'Variegata' and 'Viridis' - although there may be some duplication among them.

Yes: accounts differ on what constitutes 'Elegans Aurea'. The one in the middle shown here may be that one - that's what it's sold as here - or may really be 'Elegans Viridis'.

Thanks. I knew you two would have some information on it.
I need to get out and see more nurseries instead of being a hermit except for vacations.

Now to go check for availability.

The World Checklist of Conifers* (1993, The World Conifer Data Pool) lists**

'Elegans' Nelson 1866
("A well known tree form with juvenile foliage and bright red winter colour")

'Elegans Aurea' R.E. Harrison 1959
("A strong-growing bush with 'Elegans'-type foliage; yellow or yellowish-green, especially during winter")

'Elegans Compacta'(1) Dallimore & Jackson 1948
("A superfluous name for 'Elegans Nana'")

'Elegans Compacta'(2) SENSU Welch 1966
("A mistake for 'Elegans Nana'")

'Elegans Gracilis' 1937
("Indistinguishable from 'Elegans Nana')

'Elegans Nana'(1) (Veitch) Nicholson 1881
("A bushy form of 'Elegans' with similar juvenile foliage and winter colour")

'Elegans Nana'(2) SENSU Welch 1966
("A mistake for 'Nana'")

'Elegans Plumosa' R.E. Harrison 1959
("Unidentifiable from the description given")

'Elegans Variegata' De Vos 1887
("A variegated form; rare but still in cultivation")

'Elegans Viridis' Hornibrook 1939
("Similar to 'Elegans' in every way save that the foliage remains green during the winter")

Jacobson, North American Landscape Trees (1996, Ten Speed, Berkeley) says (in part) of 'Elegans Aurea'

"Some descriptions say it is a slightly smaller growing and yellowish-green 'Elegans'; but many plants called 'Elegans Aurea' are ordinary 'Elegans' except they don't turn dark in winter. Likely there has been confusion with 'Elegans Viridis'"

which he describes (in part) as "light fresh green even in February".

*One or two bits here may be erroneous as this publication is known to need considerable additional editing

**"Bold type is used to pick out the accredited from illegitimate, obsolete, undocumented and 'other' names"