Incorporating golden-toned foliage is a simple way to illuminate any garden, adding warmth and contrast throughout every season. Whether you’re creating a focal point, edging a border, or adding light to a shady corner, the Southern Living Plants Collection offers seven standout golden varieties! From striking evergreens to soft, cascading grasses, each variety brings vibrant color and year-round texture to containers, garden beds, and every space in between.
Touch of Gold® Holly
Touch of Gold® Holly is a compact evergreen that offers glossy golden-green foliage and year-round color. Its rich texture and naturally rounded shape make it an excellent choice for edging pathways or adding a vibrant accent to garden beds.
The bright foliage contrasts beautifully with darker evergreens and flowering plants, creating depth and interest in the landscape. It also performs well in containers, where its compact size and bold color stand out. Whether used alone or in mass plantings, Touch of Gold® Holly brings a cheerful, sun-kissed presence to any outdoor space!
‘Florida Sunshine’ Illicium
With its striking chartreuse-to-golden-yellow foliage, ‘Florida Sunshine’ Illicium is sure to be a showstopper in any garden! This evergreen shrub offers year-round color, with its leaves transitioning to a warm amber shade as temperatures cool, providing seasonal interest. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also deer-resistant and carries a light, anise-like fragrance!
This vibrant shrub is perfect for brightening shady garden corners or woodland landscapes. Its vivid foliage contrasts beautifully with darker surroundings, adding warmth and light to low-light areas. Plant ‘Florida Sunshine’ Illicium as a hedge or foundation shrub to establish a strong, evergreen structure in your garden, or pair it with dark green or purple-leafed plants for a dynamic visual contrast that enhances your landscape!
‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum
‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum is an evergreen shrub that adds bold color and structure to your landscape without the worry of pollen or flowers. Unlike traditional privets, it doesn’t bloom, making it perfect for those with pollen sensitivities! Its vibrant golden foliage provides year-round interest, even through winter.
Ideal for formal hedges, topiaries, or as a bright backdrop in mixed borders, ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum‘s golden leaves pair beautifully with darker or muted plants. It also shines in containers on patios or entryways. Thriving in full sun to part shade, ‘Sunshine’ Ligustrum fits a variety of garden styles!
Golden Oakland® Holly
Golden Oakland® Holly adds a fresh twist to classic holly with its oak-shaped leaves and bright golden variegation. This upright evergreen brings bold color and structure to the landscape, making it perfect for privacy screens, living fences, or as a vertical accent.
Its distinctive foliage makes it an eye-catching choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or as a standout focal point in the garden. The golden tones pair beautifully with colorful shrubs and flowers, creating a vibrant, layered look. With year-round interest and a strong, upright form, Golden Oakland® Holly also makes a striking statement near entryways, adding both beauty and impact to your outdoor space!
Carex EverColor® ‘Everillo’
Carex EverColor® ‘Everillo’ is an eye-catching ornamental grass that brings soft texture and a bright golden glow to any garden. Its cascading golden-green blades add gentle movement and light, thriving in both full sun and part shade for added versatility.
Ideal for borders, containers, or mass plantings, Carex EverColor® ‘Everillo’ offers a beautiful contrast to bold shrubs and perennials. When planted in groups, it forms a glowing groundcover that brightens shady spots. Its warm tones also pair well with other golden-hued plants, creating a cohesive, sunlit look that lasts year-round!
Night Light™ Chamaecyparis
Night Light™ Chamaecyparis is a standout evergreen that brings structure, color, and year-round appeal to the garden. With its naturally conical shape and soft, golden foliage, it adds a sculptural element that draws the eye in any setting. Its vibrant color glows in full sun and stays bright even through the winter months.
This golden cypress is perfect for framing entryways, anchoring garden beds, or flanking patios with elegance. Use it as a focal point to highlight key areas or plant it in rows for a striking, luminous hedge. Its golden tones create beautiful contrast when paired with blue-hued evergreens or deep green foliage. Adaptable and easy to maintain, Night Light™ Chamaecyparis adds a touch of sophistication to both formal designs and more relaxed, naturalistic landscapes.
Golden foliage offers more than just color. It brings light, texture, and a natural sense of balance to any garden. With options ranging from vibrant groundcovers to bold hedges and evergreen accents, these selections from the Southern Living Plants Collection provide simple, beautiful ways to elevate your outdoor space. With thoughtful placement, they can help create a landscape where every hour is golden hour!
Ready to bring some sunshine into your garden? Explore these stunning golden plants and start designing your landscape today!
