Those of us gardening in the Pacific Northwest are used to winters that include more than our fair share of gray and stormy days.
But take heart, I have an antidote for dingy winter days that we can all use: plants with evergreen foliage in yellow and gold tones. Plants with leaves in light-reflecting colors will bounce light into the dark corners of your landscape.
Evergreen plants with colorful foliage are an excellent way to add winter interest and steady structure. There are lots of evergreen shrubs in shades of blue, silver and gold—and most all of them do a good job of bringing light into the garden. But theres nothing like a burst of cheery, yellow foliage. Its a sure way to brighten your garden, lift your spirits, and bring radiance and warmth to a cold day. In this post, Ill single out some of my favorite shrubs, conifers, and other evergreen plants with gold foliage.
Looking to add a pop of color to your garden? Consider incorporating yellow and green leaved shrubs into your landscaping. These brightly hued plants can add striking contrast and dimension to your outdoor space.
Why Choose Yellow and Green Shrubs?
There are several reasons to consider yellow and green shrubs for your landscape:
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Standout color: The combination of emerald green and bright yellow foliage provides excellent visual contrast in the garden. This eye-catching color combo will make your landscaping pop.
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Year-round interest Many yellow and green shrubs hold their variegated leaves throughout the year, providing color in every season
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Low maintenance Once established, many of these shrubs require little care. Their bold hues stay vibrant with minimal pruning or intervention needed.
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Height variety Yellow and green shrubs come in a range of sizes, from low groundcovers to mid-size bushes to larger screens There’s an option for every need
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Hardiness: Many varieties tolerate wind, cold winters, drought, pests, and other challenging conditions. Tough shrubs are less work in the long run.
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Pollinator friendly: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are drawn to the bright blooms of some yellow and green shrubs. Invite pollinators to your landscape with these plants.
Eye-Catching Yellow and Green Shrubs to Try
Here are some top picks for stunning yellow and green shrubs:
Evergreen Choices
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Gold Mop False Cypress: A mounding evergreen with fine, threadlike yellow-green foliage. Grows 2-5 feet tall. Zones 4-8.
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Golden Euonymus: Upright shrub with golden variegated leaves on green stems. Grows 6-12 feet tall. Zones 6-9.
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Sunshine Ligustrum: Compact bush with glossy yellow leaves, great for hedges. Grows 3-6 feet tall. Zones 6-10.
Deciduous Options
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Japanese Gold Dust Aucuba: Speckled yellow and green leaf patterns. Purple blooms and red berries. Grows to 10 feet. For shade gardens. Zones 6-10.
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Goldflame Spirea: Emerging orange foliage turns bright yellow-green. Produces pink blooms. Grows 3-4 feet tall. Zones 4-9.
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Katsura Japanese Maple: Spring leaves emerge yellow, changing to chartreuse in summer. Grows to 12 feet. Zones 5-9.
Yellow Flowering Varieties
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Forsythia Lynwood Gold: Prolific yellow spring blooms on green branches. Turns red in fall. Grows to 10 feet. Zones 4-8.
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Coreopsis ‘Zagreb’: Delicate green foliage with abundant yellow daisy blooms all season. Grows to 2-3 feet tall. Zones 3-9.
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Carolina Yellow Jessamine: Trumpet-shaped yellow blooms and glossy green leaves. Vine grows 15-20 feet long. Zones 7-10.
Design Tips for Incorporating Yellow and Green Shrubs
When working yellow and green shrubs into your landscape, keep these design tips in mind:
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Use as focal points: Place yellow shrubs where they can readily draw the eye, like at corners, bends in paths, or garden entries. Let them shine.
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Complement with purples: Plant yellow and green shrubs near plants with deep purple, lavender, or wine-colored foliage. These complementary colors really make each other pop.
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Consider foliage texture: Pair fine, ferny yellow leaves with broad green foliage for contrast. Or match similar leaf shapes and sizes for harmony.
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Vary heights: Incorporate yellow shrubs of different sizes together for dimension. For example, use a low golden groundcover under taller green shrubs.
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Repeat for rhythm: Echo the same yellow and green shrubs in a few spots to create a sense of visual rhythm. Unity with variety.
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Provide proper sun: Give most yellow and green shrubs full to part sun to keep leaf colors bright. Aim for at least 4 hours of direct sun.
Caring for Yellow and Green Shrubs
To keep your colorful shrubs looking their best, provide these simple care tips:
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Water new plantings regularly until their root systems establish. Then water during droughts.
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Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer annually in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing.
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Prune lightly in early spring to shape and remove dead branches. Don’t over-prune variegated types.
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Check for common pests like scale, mites, or aphids. Treat promptly to avoid leaf damage.
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Mulch around shrubs to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Leave space near stems.
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Group shrubs with similar needs together. For instance, shade lovers under tree canopies.
With a little planning, you can enjoy low-maintenance, vibrant color in your garden year after year. Add a pop of pizzazz with eye-catching yellow and green shrubs this season.
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO PRETTY (AND PRACTICAL) PLANT COMBOS
Those of us gardening in the Pacific Northwest are used to winters that include more than our fair share of gray and stormy days.
But take heart, I have an antidote for dingy winter days that we can all use: plants with evergreen foliage in yellow and gold tones. Plants with leaves in light-reflecting colors will bounce light into the dark corners of your landscape.
Evergreen plants with colorful foliage are an excellent way to add winter interest and steady structure. There are lots of evergreen shrubs in shades of blue, silver and gold—and most all of them do a good job of bringing light into the garden. But theres nothing like a burst of cheery, yellow foliage. Its a sure way to brighten your garden, lift your spirits, and bring radiance and warmth to a cold day. In this post, Ill single out some of my favorite shrubs, conifers, and other evergreen plants with gold foliage.
20 Shrubs that Bloom All Year | Year Round Shrubs According to Season
FAQ
What is a shrub with green and yellow leaves?
The Golden Euonymus is an evergreen shrub with brightly variegated oval-shaped foliage with green leaves that are edged with golden-yellow. This attention grabbing plant can be uses as an accent or hedge, and can readily be shaped to a desired height and shape.
What evergreen shrub is golden yellow?
The Sunshine Ligustrum shrub has become a best-selling landscaping choice due to its vibrant foliage and adaptability. This evergreen shrub is renowned for its golden-yellow leaves, which inject a burst of brightness into any garden setting.
What is a euonymus live shrub with yellow green marbled foliage?
The Golden Euonymus is an ideal evergreen shrub for any space that needs a splash of color and is easy to maintain. It works well as a hedge, border plant, or privacy screen. This shrub is very low maintenance and requires minimal care once established.
What shrub has bright yellow leaves?
The Gold Mop Cypress is very hardy and requires minimal maintenance. This compact bush has lovely yellow fringe foliage that adds golden yellow color and softens any landscape. For a pop of color contrast this shrub cypress is an excellent choice!
Are yellow shrubs evergreen?
Evergreen yellow shrubs are perfect for giving your garden a pop of bright shades of yellow throughout the year. The best yellow shrubs with evergreen foliage are juniper, Chinese privet, and arborvitae cultivars. Also, variegated wintercreeper and holly shrubs have green and bright yellow evergreen foliage.
What is a yellow shrub?
Other identifying features of yellow shrubby plants could be thorns, flower bud color, and shape. Evergreen yellow shrubs are perfect for giving your garden a pop of bright shades of yellow throughout the year. The best yellow shrubs with evergreen foliage are juniper, Chinese privet, and arborvitae cultivars.
What shrubs have yellow flowers?
Shrubs with yellow flowers are known for their vibrant colors, wonderful scents, and lush foliage. From the showy golden yellow blooms of forsythia, Pontic azaleas, and shrub roses to the delicate blossoms of bushy cinquefoil, there are many yellow-flowering shrubs to choose from.
Are yellow shrubs good for a garden?
In addition, yellow shrubs can help to mask brown fences or other unsightly garden structures. Landscaping shrubs with yellow flowers or leaves can create stunning visual effects in your garden or yard. Many varieties of yellow-flowered shrubs are ideal for full sun, partial shade, ground cover, or adding visual height.
Which plants turn yellow in the spring?
While there are several plants that turn yellow in the spring, Forsythia is probably the most famous. Forsythia bushes produce bright yellow flowers in early spring. Since the flowers bloom before the shrub’s leaves emerge, many people mistake the petals for yellow foliage.
Are yellow flowers good for landscaping?
Landscaping shrubs with yellow flowers or leaves can create stunning visual effects in your garden or yard. Many varieties of yellow-flowered shrubs are ideal for full sun, partial shade, ground cover, or adding visual height. In addition, many types of yellow-blooming shrubs thrive in various soil types.