Many of us gardeners in the Pacific Northwest are used to having a lot of gray and stormy days in the winter.
But don’t worry—I have a cure for gray winter days that we can all use: plants with yellow and gold evergreen leaves 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. Evergreen shrubs come in many colors, like blue, silver, and gold. Most of them are good at letting light into the garden. But theres nothing like a burst of cheery, yellow foliage. It will definitely make your garden look better, make you feel better, and make a cold day brighter and warmer. I’ll talk about some of my favorite shrubs, conifers, and other evergreen plants with gold leaves in this post.
Tired of the same old green shrubs? Add excitement to your landscape with colorful yellow and green leaved shrubs. Their bright golden foliage brings light and vibrancy to gardens year-round. Unlike flowers that bloom briefly, these shrubs offer lasting color through their spectacular foliage.
Yellow and green shrubs come in many varieties to fit any landscape need. Read on to discover some of the best golden leaved shrubs and how to use them for stunning curb appeal.
Golden Euonymus
One of the most popular yellow and green leaved shrubs is the Golden Euonymus. This hardy evergreen is prized for its gorgeous bright yellow and green variegated leaves. The leaves emerge a vivid golden yellow in spring and mellow to a chartreuse yellow-green in summer. In fall and winter the foliage takes on a warmer golden tone.
The Golden Euonymus maintains its colorful foliage all year long, providing cheery color when everything else is drab. This versatility makes it one of the best yellow and green leaved shrubs for four-season interest.
Growing 6-10 feet tall and wide, the dense mounded form makes a brilliant focal point It thrives in full sun to part shade and adapts well to any soil Once established, it is quite drought tolerant. The Golden Euonymus requires little care and is not bothered by pests or diseases. It’s easy to see why this stellar shrub is so popular!
Goldflame Spirea
For dazzling golden spring color, you can’t beat Goldflame Spirea. Emerging leaves unfurl in a breathtaking mix of orange, red, yellow and chartreuse. This colorful foliage remains on display for 4-6 weeks in early spring before transitioning to a yellowish-green.
White flower clusters cover the shrub in late spring, complementing the green and gold leaves. In fall, the foliage turns a mix of orange, red and purple for more pizzazz.
Goldflame Spirea grows quickly to 4-5 feet tall and wide making a big impact. It thrives in full sun and is super easy care once established. Prune yearly after blooming to promote the best leaf color.
Gold Mound Spirea
For a petite pop of golden color, Gold Mound Spirea can’t be beat This dwarf deciduous shrub only reaches 2-3 feet tall and wide It makes a perfect low hedge, border plant, or rock garden accent.
The fine, lacy green leaves are edged in yellow, giving the plant a soft glowing look. Light pink flowers in early summer add to its charm. Gold Mound Spirea thrives in full sun and is remarkably tough and adaptable. It adds sparkle to pathways, flower beds, and mixed containers.
Gold Rider Leyland Cypress
The Gold Rider Leyland Cypress is a standout choice for a fast-growing evergreen specimen. This attractive conifer has luscious golden foliage on a narrow upright form. New growth emerges chartreuse yellow before maturing to a rich golden hue.
Reaching 15-20 feet tall but just 3 feet wide, it makes a sunny vertical accent. Provide full sun and well-drained soil. The Gold Rider tolerates wind, salt spray, pollution, and wet soils. Deer tend to leave it alone too. It grows up to 3 feet per year, so prepare to be amazed!
Moonlight Ligustrum
For luminous color all year long, include Moonlight Ligustrum in your landscape. This upright shrub has thick leaves with creamy yellow and green variegation. Fast growing to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide, it quickly becomes a focal point.
Moonlight Ligustrum thrives in full sun or light shade and adapts to most well-drained soils. It’s excellent for hedges, privacy screens, specimen plants and mixed beds. For added interest, it bears small white flowers in spring followed by dark purple berries.
Golden Bell Ribbon Bush
Also called ribbon plant, the Golden Bell Ribbon Bush offers sensational colorful straplike leaves. The elongated leaves emerge pinkish orange before turning green edged in bright yellow. Color intensifies in cold weather.
This large, mounded shrub grows 5-8 feet tall and wide. Pink bell-shaped flowers add extra charm in late spring. Give it full sun to light shade and moist well-drained soil. Makes a gorgeous focal point or specimen plant.
Contrast and Combine for Maximum Impact
Yellow and green shrubs look fantastic when planted next to deep purple, burgundy or blue flowering shrubs. The contrast makes the colors pop. They also combine beautifully with red and orange shrubs and perennials.
Use them alongside purple smoke bush, blue mist spirea, wine and roses weigela, bluebeard shrub, Russian sage, and sedums like Autumn Joy.
Plant en masse for a big bold statement or tuck them in perennial borders and rock gardens. Use the small varieties for garden accents and larger growing types as screens or focal points.
Go for maximum contrast with red-leafed Japanese maples. The red and yellow-green look is electrifying!
Brighten Shady Areas
While most colorful shrubs need sun to thrive, the variegated leaves of golden shrubs allow them to brighten shady areas. Try Variegatum Ligustrum, Goldflame Spirea, or Golden Euonymus in partly shaded gardens. Their golden leaves will illuminate those darker spots.
Light Up Your Landscape!
Tired of boring green shrubs? Plant vibrant yellow and green leaved shrubs for year-round color and wow factor. Flowers fade, but this remarkable foliage keeps the landscape glowing with gold. Choose a variety of sizes and forms for endless design options. Brighten borders, accent paths, light up foundations – the possibilities are endless with these lively shrubs!
5 SIMPLE STEPS TO PRETTY (AND PRACTICAL) PLANT COMBOS
Many of us gardeners in the Pacific Northwest are used to having a lot of gray and stormy days in the winter.
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. Evergreen shrubs come in many colors, like blue, silver, and gold. Most of them are good at letting light into the garden. But theres nothing like a burst of cheery, yellow foliage. It will definitely make your garden look better, make you feel better, and make a cold day brighter and warmer. I’ll talk about some of my favorite shrubs, conifers, and other evergreen plants with gold leaves in this post.
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FAQ
What is the name of the green and yellow shrub?
What is the name of the plant with yellow and green leaves?
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Usage/Application
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Garden
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Color
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Green And Yellow (Leaf)
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Scientific Name
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Codiaeum Variegatum
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Family
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Euphorbiaceae
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Plant Height
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1 Feet
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What bush has green leaves with yellow spots?
What is an evergreen shrub with yellow fruit?