Garden Gold: Mellow Yellow

Posted by Susan Mertz Jun 1, 2006

Seldom is Mellow Yellow Spirea, Spirea thunbergii 'Ogdon', chosen for the garden because it has early spring white flowers. It is when the flowering show is over that Mellow Yellow really shines in the landscape. The graceful chartreuse birch leaf foliage is the main draw. The branches easily sway back and forth in a breeze adding movement to the garden. I think Mellow Yellow gets even better in the fall. The fall foliage takes on shades of orange and pink. A sunny location in the garden will produce the best foliage color. In a mixed border, the smaller mature size of 4'x4' allows Mellow Yellow to be the middle layer in the landscape. Plumbago, an intense blue flowering summer perennial with rounded leaves, will be a good choice for the garden floor. A tree form Tardiva Hydrangea will compliment this patio garden design. Adding a backdrop of Hicks or Citation Yews to the Mellow Yellow Spirea will give contrast to the bright chartreuse foliage and add year round interest.

Tomorrow's Garden Gold blog - is it a small tree or a large shrub? Call it what you will. Just be sure to notice the beautiful foliage.

Click Planting Gold in the Garden to read about other plants that brighten a garden without flowers.