Plant Primer: Wate's golden Virginia pine

Wate's golden Virginia pine

Light: full sun

Height: 15-30 feet

Spread: 10-20 feet

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8

Origin: Eastern North America

Wate's golden Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana 'Wate's Golden') is an evergreen tree that has multiple seasons of interest.

In the summer, new needles emerge yellow before maturing to light green and, in the winter, the foliage turns a golden yellow. Talk about a chameleon!

This pine grows slightly pyramidal in shape but with some irregular or wild branches stretching out and about, giving a windblown look.

The 1- to 3-inch-long, round needles form in bundles of two. The 3-inch, dark-brown cones have thick scales.

Wate's golden Virginia pine is a nice addition to the garden border, and it's suggested that you make sure that it can be seen and enjoyed from a window during the cold gray of winter.

See Wate's golden Virginia pine in the Crane Ornamental Grass and Conifer Collection at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens throughout the seasons to watch the foliage change color. 

— Barbara Arnold

Franklin Park Conservatory