Plants that have yellow-gold leaves are like adding a splash of instant sunshine to a shady corner or a landscape with a lot of deep evergreen foliage. Yellow leaved plants provide real visual impact, but plan carefully, as too many yellow foliage plants in gardens can become overpowering or distracting. If you’re looking for plants with golden foliage, there is a huge selection from which to choose. Read on for a few suggestions to get you started.
Yellow Leaved Plants
The following plants provide yellow or gold foliage and used sparingly in the garden can add that extra “wow” factor:
Shrubs
Aucuba – Aucuba japonica ‘Mr. Goldstrike,’ suitable for growing in USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 9, is a hardy shrub with green leaves generously speckled with gold flecks. Also consider Aucuba japonica ‘Subaru’ or ‘Lemon Flare.’ Ligustrum – Golden privet (Ligustrum x vicaryi) displays bright yellow leaves which grown in full sun, and yellowish-green leaves in shade. Also consider ‘Hillside,’ a shrub with distinctive, yellowish-green foliage. Both are suitable for growing on zones 5 through 8.
Groundcovers
Vinca – If you’re looking for plants with golden foliage, consider Vinca minor ‘Illumination,’ a hardy spreading, yellow leaved plant with contrasting dark green leaf margins. Also, check out Vinca minor ‘Aurovariegata,’ another type of yellow-variegated vinca. St. John’s wort – Hypericum calycinum ‘Fiesta’ is a striking plant with dark green leaves splashed with chartreuse. This is an ideal choice for yellow foliage plants in gardens zones 5 through 9.
Perennials
Hosta – Hosta, suitable for growing in zones 3 through 9, comes in a variety of stunning yellow and gold varieties, including ‘Sun Power,’ ’Gold Standard,’ Golden Prayers,’ ‘Afterglow,’ ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Pineapple Upside Down Cake,’ to name just a few. Tansy – Tanacetum vulgare ‘Isla Gold,’ also known as tansy gold leaf, displays ferny, sweet-smelling foliage of bright yellow. This plant is suitable for zones 4 through 8.
Annuals
Coleus – Coleus (Solenostemon scutellroides) is available in a number of varieties ranging from lime to deep gold, including several with variegated leaves. Check out ‘Jillian,’ ‘Sizzler,’ and ‘Gay’s Delight.’ Sweet potato vine – Ipomoea batatas ‘Illusion Emerald Lace’ is a trailing annual with splashy, lime green leaves. This frilly plant looks great in hanging baskets or window boxes.
Ornamental Grass
Japanese forest grass – Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola,’ also known as Hakone grass, is a deciduous, ornamental grass that displays clumps of graceful, yellow-green foliage. This plant is suitable for zones 5 through 9. Sweet flag – Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ is a striking ornamental grass with fragrant, greenish-yellow leaves. This wetland plant is suitable for growing in zones 5 through 11. See also Acorus gramineus ‘Golden Pheasant’ and ‘Minimum Aureus.’
-
Grow A Music Garden: Hit The High Notes By Making Musical Instruments From NatureMusic lovers and gardening lovers can find a natural groove using items growing and resting around them. Find out how easy it is making musical instruments from nature
-
Why You Should Eat Invasive Plants – A Tasty Way To Control Unwanted SpeciesEat invasive plants for nutrition and their amazing varied flavors, but be sure to properly identify the plant and know how to eat it.
-
Best Plants For Evergreen HedgesEvergreens make the perfect hedge for screening, and there are so many to choose from. Read on to learn all about them.
-
Creating A Pastel Plant Aesthetic With Light Colored FoliageClick here for ideas on plants with pastel colored foliage.
-
Dark Green Foliage For Flower ArrangementsThe creation of your own fresh flower arrangement is a fun and exciting garden project. Click here to learn about common foliage options for flower arrangements.
-
Fabulous Flowering Plants With Variegated LeavesGardeners often choose variegated leaves when they don't have flowers. But why not have both? These variegated flowering plants do.
-
5 Unique Pink Plants - Outdoor Plants With Pink Foliage For The GardenPink foliage plants are truly unique. They add unexpected, eye-catching color to landscaping and beds. If you’re looking for a plant that has princess-pink leaves, green with pink variegation, or deep rose hues, these five examples will do the trick.
-
Add A Pop Of Red To Your Garden Bed - 5 Plants With Fabulous Red FoliageThere are plenty of red foliage perennials and shrubs to use as accents or primary pops of color in the garden. Read on for our top 5.
-
Can You Press Fall Leaves: Methods For Pressing Autumn LeavesPreserving leaves is an old pastime and art. Pressing flowers is more common, but to create spectacular fall displays, try leaves. Get started here.
-
What Leaves Are Narrow: Learn About Plants With Long, Thin LeavesIf you’ve ever wondered why some plants have thick, fat leaves and some have leaves that are long and thin, you’re not alone. Scientists have asked these very same questions. So what plant leaves are narrow and what purpose do skinny leaves on plants have? Find out here.
