Juniperus × pfitzeriana 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' / Golden Pfitzer juniper

Juniperus × pfitzeriana 'Pfitzeriana Aurea' is a very vigorous, large-growing selection of Pfitzer juniper with widely spreading branches and attractive golden foliage that turns yellow-green by winter. After 10 years, a mature specimen will measure 3 to 4.5 feet (1 - 1.5 m) tall and 10 to 12 feet (3 - 4 m) wide, an annual growth rate of 12 inches (30 cm), significantly more outward than up.

This cultivar, although an attractive plant, has been surpassed in the nursery trade by 'Old Gold.' An anonymous ACS member from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (USDA Zone 3) claims to maintain several of these plants, claiming that they make a good border plant. He covers them in winter with old landscape fabric otherwise they burn. The "low vase shape" of the plant makes it easy to control weeds around as the branches just keep above ground level.

'Pfitzeriana Aurea' originated in 1923 as a color sport on a specimen of J. × pfitzeriana 'Wilhelm Pfitzer' at D. Hill Nursery, Dundee, Illinois, USA.