Sunshine Ligustrum | Golden Evergreen Shrub

Year-Round Golden Color, Zero Fuss

The Sunshine Ligustrum (Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine') is one of the most reliable and eye-catching evergreen shrubs available — and it earns that reputation every single month of the year. Its dense, rounded form is covered in vivid golden-yellow foliage that holds its color through heat, cold, and everything in between. Use it as a bold specimen, a low formal hedge, a container accent, or a mass planting for maximum landscape impact.

Why Landscape Designers Love Sunshine Ligustrum

• Brilliant year-round color — golden-yellow foliage that doesn't fade; brightest in full sun
• Drought-tolerant once established — low water needs make it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes
• Deer-resistant — a reliable choice in areas with heavy deer pressure
• Extremely versatile — works as a hedge, border accent, container plant, or mass planting
• Responds beautifully to pruning — shear into formal shapes or let it grow naturally into a rounded mound
• Non-invasive cultivar — 'Sunshine' is sterile and does not produce seeds, unlike the straight species

Hardiness & Growing Zones

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–10
• Zones 6–7: Fully cold-hardy; may experience minor leaf drop in harsh winters but leafs out quickly in spring
• Zones 8–9: Ideal growing conditions; maintains dense, full evergreen foliage year-round
• Zone 10: Thrives in heat; provide afternoon shade in the hottest microclimates to prevent leaf scorch
• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (full sun produces the most vivid golden color; shade causes foliage to green up)
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soils; tolerates clay, sandy, and loamy conditions
• Mature size: 3–6 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide; easily maintained smaller with pruning

Planting & Care Tips

Plant in full sun for the most intense golden color — even partial shade will cause the foliage to shift toward green. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system, then reduce frequency; established plants are quite drought-tolerant. Fertilize once in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer. Prune anytime to shape — Sunshine Ligustrum responds well to shearing and recovers quickly.

Available Sizes

• 3 Gallon — well-established root system; ready to make an immediate impact
• 1–2 ft. (3 Gallon) — taller specimen; faster to hedge or screening height