Bump It Up With Gold: 10 Top Plants On The No Kill List

I'll admit it, I've developed an addiction to gold leafed shrubs. Over the last few years, I've added a variety of them to my front garden and I'm still going. I've stopped counting on flowers for flash - foliage is more reliable and provides long-lasting color and texture flowers can't provide. They're easier to take care of too - the varieties I've chosen require minimal care and cover space I used to weed.  

More beauty and less work is what I'm after. If you're inclined to add a little bling to your garden, there's nothing like a blast of gold to liven things up. 

Gold foliaged shrubs take center stage.

 Western exposure, sandy soil:

 I have less than perfect growing conditions - punishing winter winds, dry sandy soil and beating down sun. These bullet proof beauties hold their own in my zone 5 garden. 

Cotinus coggygria 'Gold Spirit': (right side of photo above) I supposed you could call this a small tree, but I think it's technically a shrub. It matures at around 10-12 feet if it isn't cut back. It puts on a show of fuzzy plumes in the summer, but I like it best in spring when the new growth is bright yellow. It thrives on very little water, a big plus in my sandy soil.

Cotinus coggygria 'Gold Spirit'

Spirea thunbergii 'Ogon' (left side in photo below): This shrub has an arching habit and grows 5-6 feet tall and wide. It's a little too hefty for the space I have it in, but is very tolerant of hard pruning. The little white flowers it puts out in spring aren't that impressive, but it's fabulous in the fall. The foliage turns a striking shade of orangey red that lasts late into the season. It's the best for adding textural detail, the delicate branches weave in and out of the other plants.

Spirea thunbergii 'Ogon

Spirea japonica 'Gold Mound' (foreground of photo below): It's kind of a cheap thrill, but I find this stalwart little shrub very useful. It's small,(around 3 feet) and in addition to the bright gold foliage, it pumps out showy pink blossoms in late June. After it flowers, the gold color gets a little dull, so I shear it back to keep growth in check and to get a new flush of foliage. Afterwards it rewards me with more flowers. What's not to like?

Spirea japonica 'Gold Mound' 

Beyond my own garden, I have an arsenal of gold plants that are handy for other situations.

View from afar:

 At a distance, there's nothing like bright gold foliage to grab your attention. I planted a mass of Sumac, Rhus aromatica 'Tiger Eyes' in an enormous pool garden I designed on this hillside (photo below). I used several groups of them behind the pool to make a strong contrast against the deep green forest behind them and to draw the eye downward.

 The serrated leaves look delicate, but this thing is tough as nails. Here, it's keeping the soil from eroding downhill. Poor soil and dry conditions - bring it on! On the down side,underground runners spread and pop up around it. Maybe not as fast as other sumacs, but you have to keep your eye on them. 

A planting of Rhus aromatica 'Tiger Eyes' makes a great focal point.

  It's a lanky looking shrub, the foliage is heavier toward the top. That’s okay, it leaves room at the base to layer in other perennials.

Serrated gold leaves of Tiger Eyes Sumac draw attention.

Tight spaces:

 For small gardens, cut leaf Elderberry - Sambuccus racemosa 'Lemony Lace' is just the ticket. It’s mature height is around 3-5', but you can cut it back to keep it as compact as you like. It's a vibrant contrast to it's dark cousin, Sambuccus racemosa 'Black Lace.' I like that one too, but it gets much larger (8-10'). Both have finely textured leaves that contrast softly against other shrubs and perennials.

Sambuccus ‘Lemony Lace’

If you're searching for a dynamic groundcover, Hypericum calycinium 'Brigadoon' (aka St. Johns Wort) is what you need. This tidy gem is around 18" tall with a two foot spread. It performs best in part sun/shade conditions. Too much sun causes the leaves to burn, the foliage fades if you put it in a heavily shaded spot. If you like yellow flowers, you'll enjoy the little buttercup yellow flowers that blossom in June. I have found it to be a slow grower, and takes a year or so to get established - worth the wait though.

Hypericum calcium ‘Brigadoon’

Shade:

 Commonly known as Japanese spikenard, Aralia cordata 'Sun King' is a 3-6 ft. herbaceous perennial/shrub that can light up a shady spot. Its bold leaves tolerate some sun, but hot  afternoon rays will burn the edges. To be honest, I have not tried it in full shade, but it is touted as one that will perform well. I have my doubts - so far all the gold foliaged shrubs I've planted need some degree of light to get the bright color I'm after.

Aralia cordata 'Sun King’

Gold foliage of Aralia cordata ‘Sun King’ mixes well with other perennials.

Because of that, I stick with perennials when I want a dependable gold fix. There are tons of hostas that will do the job, but Hosta sieboldiani 'Frances Williams' is one of my favorites. Pair it up with Japanese forest grass, Hakonechloa macra 'All Gold' and you've got a wow. Although hostas tolerate a wide range of conditions, Hakonechloa needs moist soil to thrive. I stubbornly grow it in my own dry shade garden, but it has taken a long time to get established. I think it's enough of a wow to wait for.

Hosta Sieboldiani 'Frances Williams' and Hakonochloa macra ‘All Gold’ are a stunning duo in a shade garden.

 I can't take credit for this flashy combination, but it stopped me in my tracks when I saw it at Wave Hill in the Bronx, NY. So simple, striking and easy! Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' will grow just about anywhere and you can always count on it for bodacious white blossoms. Pair it up with Hosta 'Sum and Substance,' and you've got something special.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' and Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle'

One caveat... it's easy to get carried away. But it's so much fun! If you want to go bold and gold, I'd put any of these on the 'can't kill' list.