| Plant
Name |
Description |
Annual
Growth |
Ten
Year |
Color |
Form |
Culture |
Hardiness |
Picea orientalis
'Aureospicata' |
An explosion of brilliant, yellow spring growth provides a fantastic contrast against the mature, short, dark green needles of this spruce until mid-summer. The tall, stately tree grows slowly into a narrowly pyramidal form with a full skirt of lower branches that arch gracefully out and down. Use this dramatic spruce as a specimen or as a focal point in urban or suburban landscapes where it will have space to develop. The northwest based plant awards program Great Plant Picks, selected this ‘Aureospicata’ in 2006. |
12"+
per year. |
10-12
ft. |
Green
/ Yellow Spring |
Upright
Broad |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
Picea orientalis
'Gowdy' |
This
narrow selection with recurved, sweeping branches has dark-green,
short, glossy needles. Intense, dark-green, finely defined branches
make this an excellent accent to stand out among other greens in
the landscape. |
12"+
per year. |
10-12
ft. |
Green |
Upright
Broad |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
| Picea orientalis 'Minima Wells' |
This soft-needled spruce has a crisp look and prominently displays myriad buds amid short, dark green needles. The well-behaved, bun-like plant is ideal for limited spaces, including troughs, rock gardens, and smaller landscapes. |
2-3"
per year. |
2-3 ft.. |
Green |
Globose |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
Picea
orientalis
'Shadow's Broom' |
Discovered as a witches’ broom by Don Shadow and given to Jean Iseli in 1984, this beautiful selection produces bright, spring-green new growth that quickly matures to one of the darkest, richest greens in the conifer world. Short, closely held, shiny, green needles cover the tree’s ascending, rigid branches. When young, 'Shadow's Broom' frequently displays a funnel-like center. As it matures, a leader develops and it slowly becomes a broad, mounding specimen. |
3-6"
per year. |
3-5
ft. |
Green |
Upright
Broad |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
Picea
orientalis
'Skylands' |
Bold, but not gaudy, this full, upright spruce is an excellent choice for adding bright, year-round color to a large garden. Its fine, spiky needles emerge electric yellow in spring and gradually soften to a rich gold that stands out against the dark green, interior foliage. Trees develop slowly in the early years, but achieve a habit typical of the species in time. Best color in full sun, although protection may be warranted in scorching summer climates. |
12"+
per year. |
10-12
ft. |
Yellow
|
Upright
Broad |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
Picea orientalis
'Tom Thumb' |
Striking golden fingers of tight foliage point out from the center of this attractive layered globe. The combination of brightly colored needles, extremely slow growth, and compact nest shape make 'Tom Thumb' desirable for small garden spaces or in trough or rock garden. Chosen by the American Conifer Society as 2007 Collector’s Conifer of the Year, this compact sport from ‘Skylands’ prefers ample moisture and rich, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. |
1-2" per year |
1-1.5 ft. |
Yellow |
Globose |
Sun
to partial shade. |
-30
to -20 F |
