Shore Juniper - Juniperus conferta All Gold

Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' is a spreading and prostrate shore juniper, which over time forms a beautiful carpet with flexible branches. It is covered with golden yellow foliage, which takes on a slight bronze to yellow-orange tint in winter. This slow-growing conifer is very hardy in well-drained soil. It is an excellent ground cover plant for decorating a large slope, rockery, or seaside container, as it is perfectly adapted to drought and salt spray. However, it adapts very well to many climates, far from the seaside. It enjoys full sun and light, not too chalky soil. It can even tolerate poor soil. 

Juniperus conferta, also known as "shore juniper" is an evergreen and prostrate conifer belonging to the Cupressaceae family. It is native to certain dune regions of Japan and Sakhalin Island in Russia. In its natural environment, it is a dense plant, 25 cm to 45 cm (9.8 in to 17.7 in) tall, spreading by creeping, with its branching stems slowly spreading to form a low bush of 2.20 m (7.2 ft) in width. This species prefers coastal climates, poor, light, sandy and/or slightly acidic soils, but does not do well in arid conditions.

Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' is a variation of Juniperus conferta 'Blue Pacific', discovered in Melbourne. In 10 years, it forms a spreading shrub, measuring 30 cm (11.8 in) in height and 1.50 m (3.3 ft) in width. It grows very slowly when young, then the growth accelerates slightly as it ages. The spreading branches are initially erect, then arched, giving the foliage a flexible appearance. They easily root upon contact with the ground, allowing it to cover significant areas over time. Its feathery foliage consists of two types of leaves; the juveniles have a scale-like appearance while the adult leaves are needles. Its small, tightly-packed juvenile leaves give off a resinous and aromatic scent when rubbed. In spring, golden yellow young shoots emerge from light green foliage, gradually taking on magnificent yellow-orange to bronze hues in winter. Junipers have a shallow root system that makes them fragile when transplanting and susceptible to strong winds. This also makes it difficult to grow them with perennials.

Juniperus conferta 'All Gold' will conquer space in the most challenging areas of the garden, as long as they are sunny spots. It is the perfect choice for a seaside garden, on a large slope, above a wall or low wall, or near a swimming pool, as it goes well with geometric lines and masonry structures. It also adapts very well to growing in pots. Its golden foliage complements the blue flowers of sea lavender, Ceratostigma plumbaginoides, or Teucrium chamaedrys, which thrive in the same conditions. The visual qualities of conifers suit contemporary garden design, which prefers the aesthetics of shapes, silhouettes, and textures to the daintiness of flowering schemes. These plants are a perfect alternative to trimmed boxwood or holly, and can be used to mark pathways or border terraces. They also add permanence to the structure of a flowerbed. The key is to play with volumes and colours until you find the right effect in your garden.