My name is Kathleen Shelman, and I have been gardening for more than 30 years on an acre outside of Portland, Oregon. We are in the foothills of the Cascades, so we get quite a bit of rain, which makes for many gray days. Also, many of the trees I planted years ago have (surprise) become quite large, and I find myself with more shade. Because of this, I have found myself adding more and more golden shrubs to the garden, to the point where I need to remind myself that green and its many variations are also foliage colors. Here are a few of my favorites that keep their gold color all summer.
Hydrangea serrata ‘Golden Sunlight’ (‘Golden Sunlight’ mountain hydrangea, Zones 6–9)
Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’ (‘All Gold’ hakone grass, Zones 5–9) reflects on the Disporum longistylum ‘Night Heron’ (‘Night Heron’ Chinese fairy bells, Zones 5–9).
Humulus lupulus ‘Aureus’ (hop vine, Zones 3–8) is bright and beautiful but must be watched, as it can spread quickly.
Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Monlo’ (‘Monlo’ ninebark, Zones 2–8) makes a bright mass against the yew hedge.
Two common but useful shrubs, Spiraea japonica ‘Double Play’ (Japanese spirea, Zones 3–8) and Cornus sericea ‘Silver and Gold’ (variegated red osier dogwood, Zones 3–8), brighten a dark corner.
Sambucus racemosa ‘Sutherland Gold’ (red elderberry, Zones 3–7) grows beneath a Rosa glauca (redleaf rose, Zones 2–8) to prevent afternoon burn.
Berberis thunbergii ‘Aurea nana’ (dwarf yellow barberry, Zones 4–8) always looks fresh.
Cornus alba ‘Gouchalti’ (variegated tatarian dogwood, Zones 3–7) grows beneath Cornus mas (cornelian cherry dogwood, Zones 4–8).
Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’ (‘Little Honey’ oakleaf hydrangea, Zones 5–9) likes only morning sun.
Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ (‘Sundance’ Mexican orange, Zones 7–10) in front of Ribes sanguineum ‘Brocklebankii’ (‘Brocklebankii’ flowering currant, Zones 5–7).
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Comments
What a wonderful collection of gold-leaved plants you have assembled. They really brighten up shaded areas. I particularly liked Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Little Honey’.
I have Little Honey too but mine doesn't look as good as yours. Love all your yellows & how they brighten things up.
Pretty garden and great choices of bright golds and greens!
You are so right about how they brighten shady spots in the garden!
Love what you did!
Beautiful use of the yellows, greens, variegations and great mix of shapes and textures. Really a lovely garden.
I have been adding golden shrubs for the past year because my green trees are getting bigger and casting more shade in my garden. My problem is that they don't do well when there's not much light, which makes them look sad all winter long, even though they are still
-Hedge Trimming
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