Juniperus × pfitzeriana ‘Old Gold’ — Juniper
Family: Cupressaceae • Pot diameter: 17 cm • Height: ~35 cm
Place it, water lightly, then pretend you’re the landscaping pro 🧑
A consistently golden-green, arching juniper with soft, cloud-like layers. Loves full sun and sharp drainage; very low maintenance.
Cupressaceae Evergreen Full sun Low maintenance Moderate growth
Light
☀️ Full sun
≥6 hours for rich gold
Water
💧 Deep & infrequent
dry between waterings
Soil
🪨 Well-drained
sandy/rocky, lean to medium
Hardiness
🌬️ Cold & wind
high tolerance
What makes it special
- 🟨 Stable “old gold” foliage that lights up stone and gravel.
- 🌿 Arching, layered habit ideal for soft “cloud” shaping.
- 🛡️ Post-establishment drought tolerance.
Best uses
- 🪴 Front borders and bed edges; low hedging.
- 🪨 Rock gardens, slopes, xeriscape schemes.
- ✂️ Light topiary / cloud pruning in green wood.
Where to place it
Full sun and a site with excellent drainage. Water deeply but infrequently until established; thereafter it tolerates longer dry spells. Avoid heavy, wet soils. Shape lightly only into green growth; it will not reshoot from old wood.
Plant pairings
- Festuca glauca, Stipa tenuissima — fine textures that sing next to the gold.
- Lavandula, Perovskia, Santolina — silver–lilac palette over gravel.
- Low Thymus & Sedum — flowering, aromatic groundcovers.
Origin of the cultivar click to read
Taxonomic background: Hybrid of Juniperus sabina × J. chinensis — the × pfitzeriana group comprises broad, arching shrubs noted for toughness and low care.
Parent habitats: J. chinensis (East Asia) & J. sabina (Eurasia) — adapted to lean, stony substrates with rapid drainage.
Name & colour: ‘Old Gold’ refers to the steady golden-green tone that holds in sun and good airflow.
Habit: Layered, arching framework with even coverage; ideal for gentle cloud-style shaping.
Foliage & physiology: Scale-like leaves; colour is strongest in full sun, greener in shade.
Propagation: Clonal cuttings to maintain colour and habit. Prune only into green wood.
Cultural cautions: Root rots in poor drainage; monitor for scale mites/spider mites under stress.
1) Soil prep: Free-draining, sandy/rocky mix. In heavy soils add grit/pumice and raise the planting area.
2) Watering: Deep, infrequent cycles; allow soil to dry between. Reduce frequency after establishment.
3) Pruning: Light shaping in spring–early summer into green growth only; avoid cuts into old wood.
💡 Tip: For the richest “old gold”, choose a sunny, airy spot and lightly tip-prune spring extensions.
🤔 Did you know? ‘Old Gold’ often holds its golden tone through winter in sunny, dry sites — great contrast against silver/lilac plantings.
Why you’ll love it info
- 🟨 Golden glow all year.
- ✂️ Cloud-friendly shaping with minimal effort.
- 🏜️ A natural for gravel/xeriscape designs.
🧠 Greenleaf for nerds — scientific bits no one asked for geek
- 🧬 Hybrid of J. sabina × J. chinensis with arching architecture.
- 🪵 Scale foliage; prune only into green, not into old wood.
- 💨 Wind/drought tolerant after establishment.
- 🧪 Prefers neutral–slightly acidic pH and mineral mulches (gravel).
How much sun does it need? light
Full sun for a steady golden-green colour and dense habit. In shade it greens and opens up.
How should I water it? watering
Deep, infrequent watering with excellent drainage. Let the substrate dry between cycles; avoid saucers/standing water.
What soil does it prefer? soil
Well-drained sandy or rocky soil, lean–medium in organic matter. In heavy soils add grit/pumice and raise the planting level.
Does it need pruning? pruning
Limited; light shaping in spring–early summer into green growth only. Avoid cutting into old wood.
© Original plant description by Greenleaf Garden Center. All rights reserved. | Το κείμενο αποτελεί πρωτότυπο υλικό. Απαγορεύεται η αντιγραφή (Νόμος 2121/1993).
🔎 Note: Natural plant variation means the item you receive may differ slightly from the photos. Form, size or colour vary with season, growing conditions and the individuality of each plant.
