Wate's Golden Virginia Pine

Wate’s Golden is a winter-color selection of Virginia pine, with green to yellow-green needles through the growing season that turn bright gold in cold weather. Its broad, open crown develops an upright, somewhat spreading outline, giving this evergreen conifer a strong seasonal accent in spacious landscapes. ### Form and siting The American Conifer Society gives a mature height range of 15–30 feet, which supports the existing height label and approximate metric size. Its spreading branches suit a large bed or open lawn, where the winter color can be seen without crowding. Oregon State University lists full sun and USDA zone 4 hardiness. ### Seasonal character The needles emerge yellow-green and become most intensely golden during cold winters; color can vary with winter conditions. This is a foliage selection rather than a flowering ornamental, and the evergreen framework remains through the year. The cultivar originated as a seedling selected in Virginia in the 1960s. ## Maintenance Plant in full sun and provide well-drained soil; the species tolerates clay as well as poorer soils. Water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells. Leave room for its irregular, spreading crown and prune selectively to remove damaged branches or preserve clearance. Sources: [American Conifer Society](https://conifersociety.org/conifers/pinus-virginiana-wates-golden/); [Oregon State University Landscape Plants](https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/pinus-virginiana-wates-golden).