Aurea Chinese Juniper

Juniperus × pfitzeriana ‘Pfitzeriana Aurea’ is a spreading evergreen shrub valued for bright golden foliage. Its low, broad outline carries color across the landscape, with yellow leaves becoming greener where shaded and in winter. ## Form and landscape use The American Conifer Society records this selection as a 1923 color sport of ‘Wilhelm Pfitzer’. It describes a vigorous, widely spreading shrub, reporting a size of 3–4.5 feet tall and 10–12 feet wide after ten years. The RHS gives a mature range of 0.5–1 metre tall and 1.5–2.5 metres wide. Use it in a broad border or foundation planting where its horizontal branches have room to extend. [American Conifer Society](https://conifersociety.org/conifers/juniperus-pfitzeriana-pfitzeriana-aurea/) · [RHS](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/92726/juniperus-%C3%97-pfitzeriana-pfitzeriana-aurea/details) ## Growing conditions Pfitzer junipers grow in full sun and well-drained soil; they tolerate several soil textures but do poorly in wet ground. This selection also grows in partial shade, though shaded foliage can appear greener. [NC State Extension](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/juniperus-x-pfitzeriana/common-name/pfitzer-juniper/) ## Maintenance Allow space for the mature spread and keep the soil well drained. The RHS notes that junipers need little if any pruning.