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

Hi Michelle. Nice to see you back and hosta-ing again on the forum. The tree you refer to is a camellia sasanqua. I think it (there are two of them about 20 feet apart) is at least 60 years old. They bloom in the wintertime, one pink, one white. They are evergreen, and seed freely with something like rose hips, so I have many seedlings to pull up but not an invasive aggressive plant. I rely on them for my shade in mid garden. You could grow them up north, but in a container which is moved indoors for the winter, which is when it blooms. I have several more camellia japonicas, which have the large camellia flowers, also the same age plant, as tall as the house, but they are in the front yard planted at the corners of the house a la foundation, so not as pretty as these which are umbrella shaped. About two years ago I bought 3 camellia sienensis which are the tea trees/plants, kept in containers until our remodel is completed, when I'll put them in the hosta garden too. I like the idea of having other Chinese natives beside the plantaginea in my now totally walled garden. All I need to complete the scene is a silk dragon embroidered robe and a tea set. :) Talk about playing dress up! Here is my Gold Standard end of May this year. and in previous years, it does like this. Notice the new growth comes in true color, a look I like very much. Sort of reminds me of Brenda's Beauty, which is elegant. This one Sept 18 2013, faded with new growth still.

I agree that some yellow conifers do just look sick, at least to the untrained eye. It's an acquired taste for sure. When I first got into conifers, I couldn't understand why everyone was raving about some of these yellow cultivars.. I was thinking you could get the same color in a malnourished tree as well.... However, there are some yellow conifers that even to the untrained eye appear electric and healthy. Pinus contorta var. latifolia 'Chief Joseph' takes the prize for that. Abies nordmanniana 'Golden Spreader' and Pinus mugo 'Carstens' are pretty good, as well as a handful of Chamaecyparis, which tend to be either yellow tipped or a yellow/green color in winter. I would go with a fast growing upright that will eventually be way above the snow line, then mix in some smaller cultivars on standard. Typically, unless you are grafting them yourself, you won't find a fast growing species on standard, that's usually reserved for smaller cultivars. Like Picea orientalis 'Tom Thumb Gold' or even Pinus mugo 'Carstens' could be found readily on standard, but not something like Pinus strobus 'Louie'. The thing I will never acquire a taste for is conifers that turn brown in winter... like Thuja orientalis 'Morgan'... That is something only a collector could find winter value in... Shawn

Loved seeing the progression shots Pieter! I always wondered what Gold Standard was really like. I will put it on my wish list but need to make sure I get it from a reputable source. Halycon is another one of those oldies but goodies. I was looking out for one and saw it at Walmart this year for a reasonable price and a good size. Lo and behold---hosta virus on some of those Halycon! So purchased one from a trusted source instead.