Gold Strike Creeping Juniper

Gold Strike Creeping Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis 'Gold Strike')

Gold Strike Creeping Juniper, Juniperus horizontalis 'Gold Strike', is a low, spreading evergreen groundcover valued for its bright golden new growth and dense, carpet like habit that hugs the contours of the landscape. Fresh foliage flushes clear yellow gold at the tips, then softens to green gold deeper inside the plant, creating a warm, two tone effect that stands out against stone, brick, and darker shrubs. Growing only about 6 to 12 inches tall while spreading several feet wide over time, it quickly covers sunny slopes, edges, and open ground with year round color and a naturally tidy look.

Distinctive Features

Gold Strike Creeping Juniper forms a flat, trailing mat with overlapping, fan like sprays of foliage that gradually knit together into a solid living carpet. The fine textured, scale like needles are soft in appearance yet durable, giving the plant a refined look up close and a bold sweep of gold from a distance. Color is strongest on new growth in full sun, with the golden tips reading especially bright in spring and early summer before mellowing slightly later in the season. Its combination of very low height, wide spread, and strong color makes it a natural choice where you want a groundcover that doubles as a focal point in the landscape.

Growing Conditions

• Light: Prefers full sun for best golden color and dense growth; shade leads to greener foliage and a thinner, more open habit.
• Soil: Thrives in well drained, often sandy or rocky soils; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground to prevent root problems.
• Water: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots, then only during extended dry spells; naturally drought tolerant once established in suitable soil.
• Hardiness: Well suited to typical juniper growing regions when planted in full sun and good drainage.
• Size: Very low growing, generally about 6 to 12 inches tall with a spread of 4 to 6 feet or more over time.
• Growth Rate: Moderate grower that steadily fills in open areas to form a dense, weed suppressing carpet over several seasons.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Groundcover: Use around boulders, at the front of beds, or near patios where its golden foliage creates a low, eye catching focal point that ties plantings together.
• Slopes and Banks: Excellent for stabilizing sunny slopes, berms, and embankments where turf is difficult to maintain and erosion control is needed.
• Rock and Gravel Gardens: Natural fit for rock gardens, dry riverbeds, and gravel plantings where it weaves between stones and softens hard edges.
• Path and Drive Edging: Plant along walks and driveways to form a neat evergreen edge that never needs mowing and keeps borders looking finished year round.
• Mass Plantings: Ideal for large scale groundcover plantings in sunny residential or commercial landscapes where a durable, colorful living mulch is desired.

Low Maintenance Care

• Watering: After establishment, water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings to encourage deep, drought tolerant roots.
• Pruning: Requires minimal pruning; lightly trim stray or overhanging stems in late winter or early spring to keep edges crisp and off paths or hardscape.
• Fertilizing: In average soils, a light application of a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring is usually enough to support healthy growth.
• Mulching: Mulch newly planted areas to suppress weeds and conserve moisture until plants spread; mature carpets often need little to no additional mulch.
• Problem Resistance: Generally tolerant of heat, sun, and urban conditions when drainage is good, with modest water needs and natural weed suppressing coverage once established.

Why Choose Gold Strike Creeping Juniper?

• Bright Golden Color: Vivid yellow gold new growth provides strong contrast and a warm glow in sunny beds and slopes.
• Very Low, Spreading Habit: Forms a flat, wide carpet that covers ground effectively without blocking views or windows.
• Rugged and Adaptable: Handles full sun, lean soils, and periods of drought once established, making it useful in challenging sites.
• Reduced Maintenance: Dense foliage suppresses weeds, reduces the need for mulch, and never requires mowing.
• Design Versatility: Works in rock gardens, slopes, foundation plantings, and commercial beds wherever you need a durable, colorful evergreen groundcover.

With its low, spreading form, golden foliage, and tough, easy care nature, Gold Strike Creeping Juniper is an excellent choice for turning sunny problem spots into finished, cohesive planting areas that stay attractive through every season.