Abies concolor 'Winter Gold' - Winter Gold Concolor Fir

Blue-green needles turning to striking gold for the fall and winter; a small cultivar with lovely, tiered, horizontal branches, low maintenance and wind tolerant for a fir; ideal for color accent in the garden

Height: 10 feet. Spread: 6 feet. Sun: full sun to partial shade. Hardiness zone: 4a.

Ornamental features

Winter Gold White Fir 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. The needles are highly ornamental and turn an outstanding gold in the fall, which persists throughout the winter. The smooth gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape

Winter Gold White Fir is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub with a distinctive and refined pyramidal form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and usually looks its best without pruning, although it will tolerate pruning. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Accent, General Garden Use.

Planting and growing

Winter Gold White Fir will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 6 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 70 years or more.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in both summer and winter to conserve soil moisture and protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.