Five Golden Rings

Repost from Dec. 16, 2014: Golden Conifers Brighten the Winter Landscape

By Teresa Woodard

Gold — the color of extravagance – is a rich addition to the garden, and golden conifers are the perfect choice for this season.  Plant them as shining beacons in a winter-gray landscape, and enjoy their clipped boughs in holiday container arrangements.  During the growing season, use them as accents to dark green corners of the backyard or intermix them with complimentary-colored purple grasses and flowers.

Thuja plicata ‘Canadian Gold’

Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Aurea’

Abies koreana ‘Aurea’

Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’

Taxus cuspidata ‘Nana Aurescens’

Here are five gold ringers:

• Golden Korean Fir (Abies koreana ‘Aurea’) – This dwarf conifer is best known for its golden foliage and purple cones.
• Dwarf Golden Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata ‘Nana Aurescens’) – This low-growing Japanese yew features contrasting new, golden foliage against more mature, dark green foliage.
• Hinoki False Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa ‘Nana Aurea’) –This dwarf conifer stands out with its fan-like, golden sprays.
• Canadian Gold Arborvitae (Thuja plicata ‘Canadian Gold’) – This dense, conical-shaped conifer makes a beautiful hedge with its bright gold foliage.
• Skylands Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis ‘Skylands’) – This large, upright spruce features small glossy needles that emerge electric yellow and gradually soften to a rich gold.