Tsuga canadensis 'MonJers' / Golden Duke™ Canadian hemlock

Tsuga canadensis 'MonJers' is a relatively new selection of Canadian hemlock widely marketed in the U.S. nursery trade under the commercial name, Golden Duke™. It is a moderately fast growing, compact, narrowly pyramidal conifer with dense arching branches and attractive golden foliage that trends more toward orange-yellow in winter in colder climates. Color tends to be more intense with more sun. If planted in shade, the summer color will more chartreuse than gold. After 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 6 to 10 feet (2 - 3 m) tall and 2 to 3 feet (60 - 90 cm) wide, an annual growth rate of 8 to 12 inches (20 - 30 cm).

This cultivar originated at Monrovia's nursery's Dayton, Oregon site, selected and named by nurseryman Ron Kinney. The nature of the origin is somewhat curious — the Monrovia website claims that it was a branch sport found on a similar cultivar, T. canadensis 'Monkinn.' However, official patent documents state that it was a unique seedling selected in 2011. Given that 'MonJers' grows faster than 'MonKinn,' we at the ACS would tend to believe the information submitted with the patent application.

In 2016, 'Monjers' was awarded U.S. Plant Patent 27468 P3.