Pinus thunbergii 'Ogon'

An unusually unique and attractive Japanese Black Pine with golden foliage, 'Ogon', which means golden in Japanese, really shines in the landscape. The long needles of this cultivar are yellow in spring and summer intensifying to a darker golden-yellow through fall and winter. The best and brightest foliage color occurs with full sun, which means 6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day. More is better as the foliage won't scorch on this one. Ogon has an upright habit forming a pyramid 7 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 5 feet wide at 10 years of age. Mature height is unknown but we think it might grow near to twice that size over time. The candles (new growth ) can be pruned by up to 50 percent of their length to control the size of the tree and produce a more dense form. Easy to grow and tolerant of windy and salty conditions, and drought when established, Ogon is sure to be a stand out and conversation piece in the landscape.

The Golden Japanese Pine is ideal for use as a showy specimen in very sunny landscape borders and home foundation plantings. It looks right at home in conifer gardens, rock gardens, Japanese and Asian gardens and the Xeriscaope (low water needs). With a simple annual pruning of the "candles" this pine can be maintained at a much smaller size to fit smaller spaces and containers that can be situated on or around patios and other outdoor sitting and living spaces.

Suggested Spacing:  12 feet apart for spaced groupings