Picea pungens 'Golden Spring' - Golden Spring Colorado Spruce

A very wide pyramidal evergreen accent tree that is slow growing with bright yellow new growth that matures to a blue-green; very showy and unique, an interesting plant for home landscapes; very hardy and adaptable

Height: 12 feet. Spread: 10 feet. Sun: full sun. Hardiness zone: 3a.

Ornamental features

Gebelle's Golden Spring Colorado Spruce is a dwarf conifer which is primarily valued in the landscape or garden for its distinctively pyramidal habit of growth. It has attractive bluish-green evergreen foliage which emerges yellow in spring. The needles are highly ornamental and remain bluish-green throughout the winter. The rough gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape

Gebelle's Golden Spring Colorado Spruce is a dense multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Accent, Vertical Accent, Hedges/Screening, General Garden Use.

Planting and growing

Gebelle's Golden Spring Colorado Spruce will grow to be about 12 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 60 years or more.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for xeriscaping or the moisture-conserving landscape. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.