Golden privet carries an interesting pedigree: it originated in the garden of Vicary Gibbs, a Victorian-era barrister, parliamentarian, and collector of rare woody plants, at his estate in Aldenham, Middlesex. The hybrid between L. ovalifolium 'Aureum' and L. vulgare inherited the best of both parents, producing bright golden-yellow leaves that shift to chartreuse as summer progresses, then flush with reddish tones in autumn before dropping. Creamy white flowers appear in late spring with a scent that falls somewhere between sweet and sharp.

At 8 to 12 feet tall, it earns its place as an informal screen or specimen in zones 5 through 9, and it tolerates drought and deer pressure once established. The golden color is most vivid on new growth, so if you're shearing it into a formal hedge, be careful not to clip away all that fresh material. For the brightest effect, give it full sun and let it grow a little loose.