Juniperus Goldkissen

The Juniperus pfitzeriana Goldkissen is a bright ground cover bush, interesting for its low and wide habit, and its decorative golden foliage throughout the year, even in winter. In addition to these ornamental qualities, it has excellent cold resistance and is easy to grow in any well-drained soil. This highly colourful conifer is perfect for colonizing a large slope or filling out a bed in a small garden. It sometimes produces beautiful small fruits, initially red-purple and then black-blue when ripe, which are appreciated by birds.

Also known as Juniperus chinensis or Juniperis x media 'Goldkissen', this juniper is part of a group of fairly old hybrids, mainly derived from Juniperus chinensis, the Chinese juniper. It is a very hardy and highly ornamental conifer belonging, like its parents, to the cypress family.

'Goldkissen' forms a young plant with a compact and spreading habit after 10 years, measuring 50 cm (19.7 in) in height with a spread of 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) to 3 m (9 ft 10 in). It grows slowly when young, then its growth accelerates slightly as it ages. Its thin and flexible branches, with a feathery appearance, are covered with tightly packed, non-prickly leaves that release a penetrating odor when rubbed, which can be perceived as unpleasant. The young spring shoots are bright yellow, then take on a darker yellow shade with hints of green in summer, before turning bronze in winter. The fruits that form on the female plants are berries called galbulus; they are black-blue when ripe and rich in therapeutic principles. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them vulnerable to strong winds and difficult to associate with perennials.

'Goldkissen' juniper is a hardy and bright small conifer that has proven its robustness on slopes and in large rockeries, among rocks. With its moderate growth and more or less golden foliage throughout the year, it will work wonders as a border plant, alongside dwarf conifers with a conical or bushy habit (Chamaecyparis Nana Gracilis, Picea Glauca Globosa). The graphic qualities of conifers naturally stand out in a contemporary garden. These plants, with their reassuring permanence, provide lasting structure to a bed, mark pathways, and border the terrace. They pair well with wild grasses with a highly complementary temperament. They can also be combined with heathers (Erica x darleyensis), lavenders, and rosemary. The key is to play with volumes and colours.