Woody > Taxus > Taxus cuspidata > Taxus cuspidata 'Aurescens'
Taxus cuspidata
'Aurescens'
Golden Japanese Yew
Origin: Horticultural origin, introduced from Hungary.
Mike's
Opinion
"
Once again an underused plant that can add a touch of drama to the garden. In spring new foliage emerges a crisp golden colour fading somewhat through the year. That said it does maintain some golden colour into the winter, gold mixed with a slight tinge of rust. This plant needs plenty of room to grow:pruning removes the foliage colour. Suited as an individual accent or a mass planting.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Taxaceae |
| Genus |
| Taxus |
| Species |
| cuspidata |
| Cultivar |
| 'Aurescens' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Shrub (evergreen) |
| Pronunciation |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 4-7 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 4a-6b |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H7 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| -34 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| -30 |
| Height |
| .5 - 1 m |
| Spread |
| 1 - 2 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Easily grown in average to medium moisture; well-drained, sandy loam soils and in full sun to part sun. If grown in good soil and full sun, the colour will be more intense than if it were grown in poor soil and full shade. Tolerates urban conditions. |
| Landscape |
| Excellent specimen or massing for foliage accent in the landscape. Makes great bonsais and looks wonderful in rock gardens. Makes nice hedges, but be sure to prune so they’re narrow on top and wider on the bottom in order for the light to enter. |
| Cultivation |
| Plant in full sun or part shade in sandy-loam to clay-loam soils. Does best in evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. Very tolerant of urban pollution. Apply mulch in winter to protect the roots in colder zones. |
| Shape |
| Low, dense, compact, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a more rounded form. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| The dense multi-stemmed shrub with its relatively fine texture and intense spring gold colour sets it apart from other landscape plants. Attractive foliage and relatively low maintenance. It has no significant negative characteristics. Seeds are poisonous if ingested. |
| Pests |
| None of note in the Ontario garden. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| On older specimens, the bark is an attractive reddish-brown colour with exfoliating scale-like strips. In younger plants, it has smooth brown bark that is not particularly outstanding. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| Ovoid-oblong, brown, composed of concave, ovate scales that are imbricate. |
| Leaf Description |
| 2 ranked, needle like foliage that are not distinct. 0.04-2.5 cm in length that may be straight or curved, with an apex that is sharply pointed. Dark green colour above and yellowish green below in the summer, which begins to yellow in the autumn. |
| Flower Description |
| Flowers are dioecious and form on previous year’s wood. They bloom in April and are ornamentally unimportant. |
| Fruit Description |
| Seeds are ovoid, about 7 mm long by 2 mm broad and compressed with a hard seed covered by a red arial, which is mildly attractive. |
| Colour Description |
| Leaves of the current year’s growth are a deep yellow, and after the first season, gradually changes to a light green. Reddish coloured seeds. Red-brown bark. |
| Texture Description |
| Hard, smooth seeds. Smooth leaves. The exfoliating scale-like bark has a medium texture. |
| Notable Specimens |
| The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Propagation |
| From semi-hardwood cuttings, the clones will root readily by late summer. When making cuttings, avoid plant stems that are setting buds. |
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