Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Pinus contorta var. latifolia x banksiana 'Golden Stryker'
Golden Stryker Lodgepole Pine
- Family
- Pinaceae
- Height
- 2 to 3.5 ft
- Width
- 3 to 6 ft
- Flower color
- Yellow pollen cones
- Foliage color
- Long, two-needled foliage with intense golden-yellow new growth, softening to yellow-green
- Bloom time
- Spring, with yellow cones
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Water
- Average
- Maintenance
- Low; slow growing, generally pest and disease resistant
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- Dense evergreen structure offers shelter for small birds and other wildlife; cones and seeds may be used by birds and small mammals
About this plant
Pinus contorta var. latifolia x banksiana 'Golden Stryker' is a dwarf evergreen pine with long, glowing needles and a broad, spreading habit. New growth in spring and early summer is bright golden yellow, maturing to softer yellow-green and warm yellow-orange in winter. Small, inconspicuous pollen cones appear in late spring, so the display centers on foliage color through the year.
Believed to be a hybrid between Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Frisian Gold' and Pinus banksiana 'Uncle Fogy', 'Golden Stryker' began as a slow-growing seedling selected by plantsman John Proudfoot and introduced through specialty conifer nurseries. Its dense, ground-hugging form suits slopes, rock gardens, and the front of mixed conifer beds, where the golden foliage offers steady color and structure.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Rock Gardens · Slopes & Banks · Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Avens · Strawberry tree · Betony · Blue grama grass · Thyme · Butterfly bush
Design tip
Golden foliage is most effective when contrasted with deeper greens, allowing ‘Golden Stryker’ to create a bright horizontal accent within a conifer planting. Its color evolves from brilliant yellow in spring to softer yellow-green and warm yellow-orange, providing subtle seasonal variation.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at Vista Gardens.
