COLOUR-CHANGING CONIFERS
The most useful colour-changing conifers are ones that come into their own in winter when there’s so much less to see in the garden than in high summer, especially those retaining gold or amber colouring through the winter. ■ In the summer months, the golden foliage of Thuja occidentalis ‘Rheingold’ (H: 1.2m/4ft) associates well with equally golden summer daisies but the colour becomes richer as winter approaches until its coppery-gold tones shine out in the new year. In summer, rudbeckias make good perennial companions while on acid soil the summer heaths, Calluna vulgaris, nestle neatly round the rim. For winter, some heaths also have a ractive winter foliage while scarlet or orange tulips make a colourful combo. Developing steadily into a cone-shaped plant, ‘Rheingold’ is one of the finest of all garden conifers and never gets too large. ■ If you prefer a slim and slender shape, then golden Calocedrus decurrens ‘Berrima Gold’ (H: 1.2m/4ft) develops orange tips to the shoots in winter. For a bushier look, and foliage that turns reddish bronze in winter, look for Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans’
(H: 1.2m/4ft) while the tough, dwarf bushy pine, Pinus mugo, has a form called ‘Winter Gold’ (H: 1.2m/4ft) that in autumn turns from summer green.