Juniperus media Pfitzeriana Aurea

Juniperus x media 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' is a rather extraordinary hybrid juniper, both dense and flexible, with a magnificent tabular habit and a beautiful golden colour from spring to summer. Its moderate growth, strong presence of vegetation, and elegance make it an excellent choice for structuring any landscape. It works wonders in a large rock garden, on a slope, or planted at the corner of a pathway. Very hardy and not demanding in terms of soil and climate, it can tolerate some shade and is suitable for all gardens.

Juniperus x media 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' belongs to a group of rather old hybrids, mainly derived from J. chinensis, the robust Chinese juniper. It is a very hardy and highly ornamental evergreen, belonging, like its parents, to the Cupressaceae family.

'Pfitzeriana Aurea' forms a beautiful spreading bush, with branches that are widely spaced and rise at a 45-degree angle, drooping at their ends. At the age of 10, it will measure about 1 m (3.3 ft) in height with a spread of 2 m (6.6 ft). It grows slowly when young, then its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. Its slender and flexible branches, with a feathery appearance, are covered with tightly packed small needles that release a penetrating odour when rubbed, which can be unpleasant. The young spring shoots are pale yellow, then take on a more golden yellow hue in summer before turning green in winter. The fruits that form on the female plants are berries called galbulus; they are blackish-blue when ripe and rich in therapeutic properties. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to plant with perennials.

'Pfitzeriana Aurea' is a beautifully coloured evergreen that has proven its vigour and robustness on slopes and in large rock gardens among rocks. It works wonders when planted alone, in rock gardens, in borders, to cover a slope, near a pond or pool, or combined with other conifers with different habits, such as conical or bushy. The structural qualities of conifers naturally shine in a contemporary garden, which prefers the aesthetics of forms, silhouettes, and textures over the fleeting appearance of flowers. These plants with reassuring permanence structurally shape a bed, mark pathways, and border terraces. They also pair well with wild grasses with complementary temperaments. They can also be combined with heathers (Erica x darleyensis), lavenders, rosemary, or boxwood. The key is to play with volumes and colours.