I have long been enamored with golden foliage plants, especially pines of the genus, Pinus. We’ve trialed quite a few of species with gold selections, but the only one that has survived in our hot, humid summers is the Japanese Red Pine, Pinus densiflorus ‘Ogon-aka-matsu’, which is commonly sold as ‘Aurea’. Our garden specimen is now six years old, on its way to a reported 10 tall in 10 years. The foliage on almost all of the golden pines is green in summer, brightening to gold in the winter months, as we described in an earlier blog on winter chromoplasty. Hardiness is Zone 3a-8a.
Have you tried growing “golden ghost” and how does it compare to this cv’? (And was this from MrMaple?)
Yes, we are 0 for 2 with Pinus densiflora ‘Golden Ghost’.
Really? Hardiness to Zone 3a?
Some folks list it as 3a, and others as Zone 3b.
Mr. Maple Nursery lists it as zone 5!
Being raised in the church I try not covet my neighbor’s ‘gold'” but I want this plant. Is Pinus densiflorus ‘Ogon-aka-matsu’ known by any other names? Nothing popped up online.
As we mentioned in the blog, it is usually sold as P. densiflora ‘Aurea’, so you should find several on-line sources.
Thanks. I’ve been looking for gold foliage plants to add contrast in my NC zone 8a woodland garden. Finding gold-toned conifers that thrive in our summer heat/humidity has been challenging, proven conifers mainly are limited to cypress and cedars. For once there’s a gold native conifer I’m interested in that’s readily available and relatively affordable; my cup runneth over.
We have a lot of open ‘light-shade’ and woodland borders where I’m trying a variety of gold/yellow foliage plants including : Japanese Elkhorn Cedar (Thujopsis dolobrata ‘Aurea’), Blond Envy Elderberry (Sambucus canadensi), Brigadoon St. John’s Wort (Hypericum calycinum), Lemony Lace Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), ‘Florida Sunshine’ (Illicium parviflorum) , Sunshine Privet (Ligustrum sinense) and Tiger Eyes Cutleaf Sumac (Rhus Typhina ‘Balltiger’).
Greg