Plant guide
Golden & yellow shrubs
Golden foliage lights up a garden the way flowers do, but it lasts from spring to frost, and year-round on evergreens. A gold shrub brightens a dark corner, stands out against dark green and purple leaves, and gives a planting a focal point.
These Gartenmeister® plants have gold, yellow or chartreuse foliage.
Gartenmeister® plants in this guide (9)
Admiration Barberry
Golden Rocket Barberry
Honeybee™ Bush Honeysuckle
Starbrite™ Juniper
Magic Carpet Spirea
Sun Button™ Globe Arborvitae
Janed Gold Arborvitae
Aurielle™ Barberry
Color Guard Yucca
Tips for success
Sun for color
Most gold shrubs color best in full sun. In too much shade they fade toward lime or green.
Sunscald
In very hot, dry sites, some gold foliage can scorch. Aurielle™ barberry is noted for resisting sunscald.
Pairing
Gold looks best next to deep purple (Concorde barberry, Black Tower elderberry), blue-green (Glacierra™ juniper) or dark green.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best golden barberry?
Aurielle™ barberry is a compact, bright-gold dwarf with good resistance to sunscald. Golden Rocket is a narrow, upright form.
Is there a yellow arborvitae?
Yes. Janed Gold stays bright yellow-gold year-round, and Sun Button™ is a golden dwarf globe.
Do gold shrubs need full sun?
Most color best in full sun to part sun. In deep shade they turn greener.