Picea orientalis 'Aureospicata' (Golden Spiked Oriental Spruce)

Michael's Opinion

This it is one of my favourite species. This cultivar has many positive attributes and only a few downfalls. This low maintenance, well kept, handsome tree shows its true beauty when the new growth appears in the spring as small bright yellow shoots that make the dwarf evergreen a magnificent specimen. The contrast between the old, deep green needles, and new yellow growth is brilliant. The neatness of Picea orientalis 'Aureospicata' is said to be one if its great qualities. A somewhat exotic name. The species comes from the Caucasus mountainous regions of Asia. This elegant tree grows slowly into a narrowly pyramidal form with a full skirt of lower branches that arch gracefully outward and towards the ground. In 2006 'Aureospicata' was selected the 'Great Plant Picks' by The Northwest based Plant Awards Program. Once placed in its ideal conditions of moist well-drained soils, it is one of the best spruces in cultivation.

Botanical Information

FamilyPinaceae
GenusPicea
Speciesorientalis
Cultivar'Aureospicata'
CategoryWoody
TypeTree (evergreen)
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4 - 7
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5b - 7b
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-34
Temperature (°F)-30
Height20 m
Spread4 - 6 m
GrowthSlow
Flowering PeriodMarch

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA narrowly pyramidal form with a full skirt of lower branches that arch gracefully out and down. This wonderful display of new Foliage remains effective until mid-summer, when the spring growth matures to a deep forest green. A slow growing conifer.
ID CharacteristicIt has a dense, narrow, columnar habit and pendulous branches. Needles are glossy, dark green and gold, with stomatic lines on both sides. Cones are 5-10 cm long, red-purple when young, brown when mature. It needs protection from harsh winds; in extreme cold, it can develop brown tip burn. This is a lovely specimen tree for smaller properties.
ShapeNarrowly upright pyramidal.
LandscapeGive it plenty of space to fully develop into a beautiful tree. This spruce is perfect for use as a specimen or focal point in a location with full sun. It grows best in sandy, well-drained soil with additional water during summer dry spells. Keep well watered during the first growing season to ensure it establishes a deep, extensive root system.
CultivationAt youth, the leading shoot should be trained up a cane. It will tolerate sunny and partially shaded conditions. In the winter months, it needs shelter from freezing winds.
PestsStrong resistance to insects and diseases. Mites, aphids and bagworms are the most common pests.
Notable SpecimensGardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionDull grey bark. Thick and strong at the base; as it matures it turns more greyish brown.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionGreyish brown on surface, more reddish brown beneath with irregular, fine flaky patches, becoming irregularly ridged and furrowed.
Leaf DescriptionLeaves are radial and 6-8 mm long blunt pointed, very thin. Yellow on new growth and dark green on old.
Flower DescriptionMale flowers are crimson-scarlet in colour.
Fruit DescriptionChestnut brown cone, 5-10 cm long, cone scale margins entire; seed disseminated in the autumn and cones tend to drop their first winter.
Colour DescriptionBright golden new leaves and shoots make a startling contrast to the dark green of the old foliage. Bark is a dull grey.
Texture DescriptionThe bark texture is smooth at the trunk. Near the top of the shoot this bark has spikey needles, these needles are glossy and soft.

Photographs