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Juniperus chinensis 'Old Gold'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
jew-NIP-er-us chi-NEN-sis
Description

'Old Gold' is a low-growing evergreen juniper in the cypress family native to Asia. It is a compact graceful shrub with scale-like leaves with graceful ascending branches and yellow leaves at the tips of new growth. It grows 3-4 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide.

This shrub prefers full sun in medium moisture well-drained soils. It is drought tolerant once established. Use in rock gardens, foundation planting, as a ground cover on slopes for erosion control or a specimen plant.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: See the "Pests of Conifers" fact sheet to the left.

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common juniper diseases and insect pests.

More information on Juniperus chinensis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#low growing#specimen#shrub#yellow-green#salt tolerant#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#mounding#deer resistant#foundation planting#rock garden#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shrub borders
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#low growing#specimen#shrub#yellow-green#salt tolerant#low maintenance#air pollution tolerant#erosion control#mounding#deer resistant#foundation planting#rock garden#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#shrub borders
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Juniperus
    Species:
    chinensis
    Family:
    Cupressaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Deer, salt, air pollution
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No true fruits, but female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking and edible, often used as a seasoning.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers, but cones are large and brown and fall apart upon maturity. Female cones are blue, fleshy "berry" looking.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Soft, thin, scale-like needles on lacy foliage. Golden yellow new growth. Grown for it foliage.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Design Feature:
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Pollution
    Salt