Tallgold

Juniper

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Skyrocket' and Juniperus chinensis 'Golden Pfitzer'

Summary: The plants of 'Tallgold' have a broad conic growth habit whereas those of 'Skyrocket' are columnar and those of 'Golden Pfitzer' are semi-erect. The branches of 'Tallgold' are dense whereas those of 'Skyrocket' are sparse and those of 'Golden Pfitzer' are of a medium density. The young shoots of 'Tallgold' are light yellow in the spring whereas those of 'Skyrocket' are blue green. The one-year-old shoots of 'Tallgold' are yellow in the spring and summer whereas those of 'Skyrocket' are blue green.

Description:

PLANT: broad conic growth habit, fast growth, dense branching, medium branch stiffness

NEW GROWTH ON LEADING SHOOT: medium distance between branchlets
BRANCHLETS OF THE FIRST ORDER: many, arrangement of the spray not planar, semi-erect spray attitude
BRANCHLETS OF THE FIRST ORDER IN SPRING: light yellow upper side on young shoot, yellow upper side on one-year-old shoot, no variegation
BRANCHLETS OF THE FIRST ORDER IN SUMMER: yellow upper and lower sides of young leaf, yellow upper and lower sides of one-year-old leaf
BRANCHLETS OF THE FIRST ORDER IN WINTER: bronze upper and lower sides of one-year-old leaf
BRANCHLETS OF THE PENULTIMATE AND LAST ORDER: medium length, medium width

NEEDLE-SHAPED LEAVES: long, medium width, narrow acute tip, not adpressed on branchlet of first or last order

Origin & Breeding History: 'Tallgold' originated as a chance seedling discovered by Lorraine Bennest, in March 2001 in Summerland, British Columbia. The variety 'Tallgold' was selected in September 2009 based on leaf colour and plant height. Asexual reproduction by cuttings was first conducted in February 2010 in Summerland and Okanagan Falls, British Columbia.

Tests & Trials: The trial for 'Tallgold' was conducted outdoors in Summerland, British Columbia. The trial consisted of 8 plants of 'Tallgold' compared to 8 plants from the same species Juniperus virginiana, variety 'Skyrocket', with similar growth habit, and 8 plants of Juniperus chinensis, variety 'Golden Pfitzer' with similar foliage colour. Trees of 'Tallgold' were propagated in the spring of 2010 and planted in the ground in 2012. Trees of both 'Skyrocket' and 'Golden Pfitzer' were puchased as potted nursery stock in 2012 and planted in the ground that year. The trees were planted in rows which were 10 metres long. Observations and measurements were taken in 2012 and 2013.

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Juniper: 'Tallgold' (left) with reference varieties 'Skyrocket' (centre) and Juniperus chinensis 'Golden Pfitzer' (right)