Coleonema Pulchrum 'Aurea'
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Golden Diosma / Golden Breath of Heaven / Golden Confetti Bush
Botanical Name: Coleonema pulchrum 'Aurea'
Family: Rutaceae
Origin: South Africa (Cape region)
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
Overview
Coleonema ‘Aurea’ is prized for its golden, aromatic foliage that holds colour year-round and intensifies in full sun. Clouds of pale pink, starry flowers appear from late winter into spring, drawing pollinators. A neat, low-maintenance shrub for hedges, borders and coastal gardens.
Key Features
- Mature Size: 1-1.5 m H x 1-1.2 m W
- Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
- Foliage: Fine, golden to chartreuse; may take on bronze tints in cold winters; fragrant when brushed
- Flowers: Masses of pale pink stars, late winter–spring
- Seasonal Interest: Year-round colour; peak bloom late winter–spring
- Wildlife Value: Attracts bees and other beneficial insects
- Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, second-line coastal-tolerant; light frost (protect from hard frost)
- Planting Density: Hedge: ~1 plant per metre for dense coverage (0.6–0.8 m for a very tight hedge); borders: 1 per 1–1.5 m
- Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; any plant ingestion may upset pets
Where It Works Best
- Sunlight: Full sun to light part shade (best gold in full sun)
- Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soils; avoid waterlogging
- Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter if dry
- Maintenance: Light tip-prune after flowering to keep compact; mulch in spring; feed lightly in early spring
- Lifespan: 15-25 years
- Climate Zones: Temperate & Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
- Soil pH: Best in neutral to slightly acidic; tolerates slightly alkaline if free-draining
Landscape & Design Ideas
- Low golden hedge or border for year-round colour
- Mass plant for luminous mounds along paths and driveways
- Feature near entries or in coastal gardens; great contrast with purple or blue-flowering plants
Why You Will Love It
A bright, gold-foliage shrub that’s tidy, tough and fragrant—giving four-season colour, spring flowers for pollinators, and excellent performance in coastal, sunny sites with minimal fuss.