November 2011 Plant of the Month —
Chinese Juniper ‘Saybrook Gold’

 

Few plants can brighten the November garden like gold-tinged conifers, and the Chinese juniper 'Saybrook Gold' is among the most colorful. Photo of specimens in the UT Gardens - Knoxville by James Newburn.

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Submitted by James Newburn, Assistant Director, UT Gardens

Now that the fall color is fading and the leaves have fallen and need raking, few plants can brighten the November garden like gold-tinged conifers. Many of the cone-bearing evergreens now have unique gold coloring whether it’s at the branch tip, in striped needles, or just an overall yellow tinge. And there are no pesky leaves to rake! Their foliage serves to really brighten up the dreary late fall and early winter landscape. One such shrub is ‘Saybrook Gold’ Creeping Chinese Juniper or Juniperus chinensis ‘Saybrook Gold’.

This juniper has bright gold foliage year round that turns a bronze yellow in winter. This cultivar is a great foundation plant as it only gets to be about 2- to 3-feet tall but up to 6 feet wide. It looks outstanding next to a blue form conifer or in front of the dark red bricks of a house.

Chinese Junipers, including Saybrook Gold, are relatively easy to grow. They prefer well-drained soil and full sun and are even tolerant of dry soils once established. This makes them ideal for water-wise gardening. These junipers can even tolerate the sunny, dry area next to the driveway and street, and their gold color will signal to visitors that they have arrived at the right destination.

There are many other golden yellow evergreens that are equally cheery additions in the November landscape. Mixing any of these with evergreen or winterberry hollies, red or golden twig dogwoods, or even pairing with deciduous trees with interesting bark like crepe myrtles or paper-bark maples can make for a late fall landscape that’s anything but dull. You can find one of almost any shape or size.

Other good gold selections include: ‘Gold Spangle’ and ‘Mophead’ Threadleaf Sawara Falsecypress;  ‘Sudsworth Yellow’ and ‘Frankie Boy’ Arborvitae; Dragon’s-eye Pine; ‘Skyland’s’ Oriental Spruce; ‘Golden Pillar’ Monterey and ‘Sulphurea’ Arizona Cyprus.

It is always good to think beyond flowers as a source for garden color. Berries, bark, and foliage can all add that splash of pizzazz. Since yellow and gold are warm colors, they naturally brighten the mood in the landscape.  With the holiday season right around the corner, golden evergreens create a festive feel – naturally.

James Newburn is the Assistant Director of the UT Gardens. The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Their mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public. See http://utgardens.tennessee.edu/ and http://westtennessee.tennessee.edu/ornamentals/ for more information.

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Contacts:

James Newburn, Assistant Director of the UT Gardens, 865-974-7324

Dr. Susan Hamilton, Director of the UT Gardens, 865-974-7324
Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications Services, 615-835-4570

Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing and Communications Services, 615-835-4570, pmcdaniels@tennessee.edu