Before You Go Golden Conifers with Winter Radiance

Golden Conifers with Winter Radiance

by Mark Dwyer As snow and cold descends on the

landscape, the winter doldrums soon arrive. Those months of November through March can be challenging in terms of noting significant color out in the garden. The warmth and brightness of yellow and golden conifers can help carry us through those months as they become beacons of interest out in the garden. Through the inclusion and proper placement of conifers with a golden hue, we can provide welcome spots of warm energy that draw attention and help us get our “color fix” during those long winter months.

Most of my landscape clients are focused on color, interest and “curb appeal” from spring through fall and seem genuinely surprised when I bring up the potential for winter interest out in the garden. The opportunity to suggest and include more plant material with winter interest is frequently overlooked and is another way to serve our clients. For winter interest we do currently promote the contributions of colorful stems, ornamental bark, persistent fruiting, perennial grasses (with winter stature!) and certainly conifers enter the equation. Some conifers with a golden or yellow hue offer the most intense contribution of color with new spring growth which later fades in the heat of summer. These plants, when used in combinations and compositions, are also contributors throughout the other seasons but in winter, they literally shine and intense focal points.

Varietal selections that are yellow or gold are well represented in most conifer genera. Again, those with golden/yellow spring flushes that fade may not have the same intensity in winter but still may be contributors with a degree of yellow or chartreuse. Some conifers will maintain a golden intensity or even transition to a more dynamic gold as temperatures dip and daylight shortens. While availability may be an issue, the widest range of “winter golds” exist in pines (Pinus), false cypress (Chamaecyparis), junipers (Juniperus) and arborvitae (Thuja). Placement of these conifers in terms of design should consider the other months of the year when they partner with neighboring plants and become part of the composition. Their function in the supporting cast of the landscape then changes in winter as they begin a starring role.

I’m a huge fan of many of the golden pines that illuminate our winter days. Do research the cultural needs, growth rate and mature size for these suggestions. Some of my favorite pines that transition to bright gold from green include ‘Carsten’s Gold’ mugo pine (Pinus mugo) and ‘Hillside Winter Gold’ white pine (Pinus strobus). Also worthy of note are the ‘Wate’s Golden’ Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) and ‘Nisbet’s Gold’ scots pine (Pinus sylvestris). If deer aren’t a factor, some great golden arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) include ‘Yellow Ribbon’ and ‘Gold Drop’. Golden false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera) abound including ‘Golden Mops’ and ‘Sungold’. I’m also a huge fan of ‘Saybrook Gold’ juniper (Juniperus chinensis) which maintains a nice golden hue in winter. Warm up the winter landscape with splashes of rich gold from choice conifers!

Pinus mugo ‘Carsten’s Wintergold’