There are many lovely trees and shrubs with yellow or gold foliage. Here are some of the better ones.
Caryopteris
Caryopteris, sometimes known as “Bluebeard” is a compact shrub getting 2-3 feet high and wide, blooming in late summer.
- The most common is C. clandonensis ‘Worcester Gold’ which has lovely jagged yellow foliage and purple flowers.
- It is not quite as vigorous as the newer C. incana ‘Sunshine Blue’, which bears rich amethyst colored flowers from mid to late summer.
- C. ‘Hint of Gold’ also has yellow foliage that withstands the heat, and deep blue flowers that make for a striking combination.
Barberries
Barberries (Berberis thunbergii) also come with golden foliage. Hardy from zones 4-9, these prickly little shrubs have tiny rounded foliage making them drought tolerant.
- B. ‘Bonanza Gold’ is a dwarf form that does well in both sun and part shade.
- B. ‘Golden Pillar’ grows 3-4’ tall but only about 2’ wide.
- B. thunbergii ‘Aurea’ is another fine specimen, slightly larger than its other golden counterparts. All are deer resistant.
Spirea
- S. bumalda ‘Goldflame’ burst forth with a colorful array of foliage colors in spring, ranging from rust-red to copper to yellow. As summer advances the leaves turn increasingly gold. This is a small shrub, perhaps 2-4 feet, with pink flowers in May and June. This shrub would also go well in a bronze garden.
- For something more purely yellow, try S. japonica Goldmound’, which has equally colorful spring foliage which quickly fades to yellow. This shrub has pale pink flowers.
- S. ‘Golden Sunrise’ leaves start out yellow in spring, yellow green in summer and copper colored in autumn. Both are hardy from zones 3-8.
Privet
- Golden privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) is often used as a hedge since it can reach up to 10 feet tall, although more commonly it reaches 5-6 feet. In full sun it has bright yellow foliage, which turns an intriguing black in winter. It’s hardy to zone 4.
- L. ovalifolium ‘Aurea’ is another golden choice, with oval leaves of yellow and small white, almost unnoticeable flowers. Hardy from zones 6-9.
Hydrangea
- Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Lemon Daddy’ retains its golden color all summer, and features huge, mopheads of flowers which will be blue in acid soil and pink in alkaline. It will grow to about 4 feet. This looks great in a partially shaded garden.
- H. ‘Lemon Wave’ actually has tri-colored foliage, green with big splashes of yellow and white. Flowers are mauve and blue, and this shrub grows to about 4.5 feet tall.
- H. quercifolia ‘Little Honey’ has foliage resembling oak leaves, and white blooms 6-8 inches long. The leaves turn bright scarlet in autumn. It also reaches about 4 feet. Hardy in zones 5-9.
Redbud
Cercis canadensis ‘Hearts of Gold has beautifully heart shaped foliage and pink spring flowers that emerge before the leaves. Foliage is deep gold which fade to green in summer then turn gold again in autumn. It can grow 15-20 feet tall. It contrasts beautifully with C. canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ with its deep purple foliage.
Smoke Tree
Cotinus cogryggria ‘Golden Spirit’ is yellow from spring to fall when it turns a spirited shade of orange. In summer its light pink flower heads resemble puffs of smoke. In ten years it will reach about 8 x 6 feet. Hardy in zones 4-8.
Golden Elder
Sambucus Canadensis ‘Aurea’ is a rapid growing shrub that will soon reach 8-10 fet. The golden foliage is consistent all season long. The flowers are white, with red fruit in late summer. Most agreeable, this plant will tolerate both wet and dry conditions. Pair it with S. ‘Black Lace’ for a startling, dramatic contrast. Hardy in zones 4-7.
Ninebark
Another very accommodating shrub is Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold, which adapts to most growing conditions. It has golden foliage and white spring flowers followed by red fruit in autumn. It will reach anywhere from 4-5 feet.
Daphne
D. burkwoodii ‘Briggs Moonlight’ is exceptionally strong growing for a daphne (which can be rather fickle to grow). It has predominantly yellow leaves with a small green margin, and has pink fragrant flowers from Spring to early summer. Hardy from zones 4-7, it will eventually reac about 2’ high and 3’ wide.
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