Choose Saybrook Gold Juniper for dry banks or open beds where you want gold evergreen cover without fuss. The tradeoff: it spreads wide and looks messy if squeezed along walks or foundations.
Buy This If
You need tough evergreen groundcover.
You want gold color, not flowers.
You have room for spread.
Skip This If
You want a neat mounded shrub.
The site stays wet.
Shade dominates the planting area.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
A-
The gold foliage gives strong contrast, but it can look harsh if overused.
Growth Rate
B+
It fills ground faster than many conifers once rooted, but it is not instant cover.
Maintenance
A-
It needs little pruning if given room, but shaping it tightly is awkward.
Deer Resistance
A-
This is a strong pick where browsing is a concern, though no plant is immune.
Small Space Fit
C
It spreads wide, so it only works in small spaces if the edges are planned carefully.
Screening Value
F
It is too low for privacy, hiding utilities, or blocking views.
Compare It To
Blue Rug Juniper
Choose Blue Rug Juniper for a cooler blue-gray mat; choose Saybrook Gold Juniper when you want warmer color and stronger contrast.
Golden Wiltonii Creeping Juniper
Choose Golden Wiltonii Creeping Juniper for a lower carpet; choose Saybrook Gold Juniper for bolder texture and more presence.
Old Gold Juniper
Choose Old Gold Juniper for a rounded accent; choose Saybrook Gold Juniper for spreading cover over a bank or broad bed.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend Saybrook Gold Juniper for open, bright, lean sites where mulch keeps washing out. Give it room early; trying to keep it small defeats the point of this plant.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
12–18 in
Mature Width
6–8 ft
Hardiness Zones
4-9a
Spacing
5–6 ft spacing for coverage
Sun
Full Sun
Moisture
Dry to average
Growth Habit
Spreading / groundcover
Customers Usually Ask
Will it help with weeds?
Yes, once it fills in, but you still need weed control while it establishes.
Can I plant it by a walkway?
Only if there is room for spreading growth; otherwise choose a tighter plant.
Does the gold color hold?
Best color comes in bright exposure; too much shade makes it greener and thinner.
Privacy & Screening: Many varieties grow dense and full, making them ideal for natural hedges and property boundaries.
Seasonal Color & Texture: From evergreen foliage to flowering varieties, shrubs provide visual interest in every season.
Shrubs Grown to Perform in New England
At Pro Growers of New England, our shrubs are grown and maintained locally to perform in true New England conditions. From flowering varieties to evergreen foundation plants, each shrub is properly spaced, pruned, and cared for to develop strong root systems and balanced structure before it ever reaches your landscape.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
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Randy Cheney
I was very happy with my experience! Pro Growers are not only a quality outfit, but they have the best prices hands down!
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
Randy Cheney
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Cynthia Boardman
Starting with the owner, who gave us expert advice, along with a great group of installers, this company was a pleasure to work with.
Fair prices and great product. You can’t go wrong
Installation Service ($25)
Kayla Sem
Easy ordering, delivery and installation! Highly recommend ordering from Pro Growers of New England.
The two gentlemen that did the arborvitae installation were absolutely excellent. They listened to exactly what we wanted, mapped out the spots, and worked quickly and thoroughly to get it done. Outstanding work!
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.
