Light. Prefers full sun, though it will grow in partial shade.
Water. Water regularly while it establishes. It likes moist, well-drained soil but is drought tolerant once rooted.
Soil and feeding. It tolerates most soil types but cannot take salt, so keep it away from salt spray and salty soil.
Size. Usually kept at about 3 ft as a trimmed hedge. Left untrimmed, 'Gold Mound' reaches about 4 ft tall and 5 ft wide.
Pruning. Wear gloves when pruning. Each leaf has a thorn, and the sap can irritate skin.
Problems to watch. Temperatures in the low 40s can turn leaves purple. Cold-damaged plants bounce back in spring.
Good to know. The fruits and leaves are poisonous to people and dogs. Flowers attract butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, and birds eat the golden fruit.
