Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; avoid reflected heat and hot west-facing exposures. Deep shade reduces golden coloration.
Water: Moderate water; irrigate deeply when the upper 2–3 inches of soil dry. Water more frequently during establishment and extreme summer heat, and reduce irrigation in winter.
Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost; tolerates alkaline soil but struggles with poor drainage. Mulch the root zone, keeping mulch away from stems.
Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 4–6 feet wide if left unpruned; can be maintained smaller.
Bloom: Small, inconspicuous flowers in late spring to early summer; flowering may be sparse on regularly clipped plants.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.
Growth rate: Moderate with adequate irrigation and protection from extreme heat.