Thank you all for good places to start my research. I did like Charlotte when I had her years ago but the deer killed her and I'm looking for something with a little more of the gold or orange in it this time. It would be so nice if the label or the catalog would tell you how it faded! Of course that would say something like "soft ivory" rather than "grayish parchment" but "fades a lot" and "holds its color well compared to" would be helpful!

Wow.

Ashley, what has JoeReal had to say? I'd trust his opinion on this one for sure. And, I wonder if taste will be more geographically influenced on these "Gold" series? Thought I read that somewhere. Here's more info about these 3 hybrids from the UCR site (you may have already read this): The following information is from The Facts sheets of Tahoe Gold, Yosemite Gold and Shasta Gold mandarins written by M.L. Roose and T.E. Williams, Department of Botany and Plant Sciences' University of California, Riverside. Hybrids of the Encore and Dancy mandarins and Temple tangor. Tahoe Gold is a recently-released (2002) mandarin variety developed within the University of California Riverside citrus breeding program. The tree grows vigorously and is somewhat spreading in form, with a tendency to alternate bearing. Tahoe Gold (TDE3) is a hybrid with Temple tangor, and Dancy and Encore mandarins in its parentage. It is a mid-season maturing mandarin hybrid that combines large fruit size, attractive deep orange rind colour, rich fruit flavour and the virtual absence of seeds even in mixed plantings. The season for Tahoe Gold is mid-January to mid-February at Riverside. The fruit does not hold well on the tree. Yosemite Gold is a recently-released (2002) mandarin variety developed within the University of California Riverside citrus breeding program. The average fruit size is large for a mandarin (classed as Mammoth by California state standards) with a mean width of 75mm (2.95 in.) and a height of 58 mm (2.30 in.), giving a height to width aspect ratio of 0.78, and a mean weight per fruit of 175 grams (6 oz.-heavy for the fruit size). The rind of fruit from trees with very light crops is sometimes excessively rough or bumpy. The rind is quite easy to peel when fruit are mature, but can be more adherent early in the season. The fruit is moderately juicy averaging 42% juice content. The flesh is seedless, bright orange, finely-textured and juicy. The flavour is rich and sweet. The season for Yosemite Gold (TDE4) is January to mid-March and the fruits hold well on the tree into April. Shasta Gold is a recently-released (2002) mandarin variety developed within the University of California Riverside citrus breeding program. The tree grows vigorously and is somewhat spreading in form, with a tendency to alternate bearing. It can achieve a moderately-large size at maturity. Shasta Gold (TDE2) is a hybrid with Temple tangor, and Dancy and Encore mandarins in its parentage. The large oblate fruits have an attractive dark orange rind that is relatively thin. The flesh is seedless, bright orange, and juicy. The flavour is rich and sweet when mature. The season for Shasta Gold is mid-February to mid-March at Riverside and the fruit hold well on the tree into April or May. Let us know what you end up with, I've considered adding one or two of the "Gold" series to my little orchard, too. Patty S. Here is a link that might be useful: UCR: Sweet Citrus Varieties with Deep Orange Rind Released by UC Riverside

Yes, I really like this effect too! I'm trying out some purples with my oranges in the garden:) Beautiful Ron!