Pinus sylvestris 'Wolting's Gold' (Wolting's Gold Scots Pine)
Michael's Opinion
A very beautiful dwarf conifer. The needles are extremely attractive as they have two colours. The half of the needle closer to the stem is greenish and the tips are golden yellow making it very aesthetically pleasing. Its form allows it to be a rather good choice as an accent plant. A good choice for any dwarf conifer garden.
Botanical Information
| Family | Pinaceae |
| Genus | Pinus |
| Species | sylvestris |
| Cultivar | 'Wolting's Gold' |
| Category | Woody |
| Type | Tree (evergreen) |
| Origin | Introduced by Jim Wolting, a sport found in a row of Scots Pine growing in his nursery. |
| Pronunciation |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 3 - 6 |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | 1a - 6a |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H6 - H7 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | -40 -(-18) |
| Temperature (°F) | -40 - 0 |
| Height | 5-7 m |
| Spread | 3 m |
| Growth | Medium |
Description and Growing Information
| ID Characteristic | Look for the golden yellow-green needles; needles in fascicles of 2; the buds are small (0.5 cm-1 cm) and brown with a red tinge. A rather hard tree to mistake. |
| Shape | Small somewhat dense, pyramidal form. |
| Propagation | This tree is propagated by grafting onto P. sylvestris rootstock. |
| Cultivation | Full sun in a somewhat protected location free from winter winds. Soil should ideally be light and free draining. |
| Pests | Relatively pest and disease free. |
| Notable Specimens | The Gardens of Fanshawe College, London, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Bark is light brown in newer growth while older growth becomes a rich darker brown. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description | Small (0.5-1 cm) brownish buds with a slight red tinge to them. |
| Leaf Description | Needles are about 5 cm in length with green and yellow colour, they are also somewhat twisted in shape. |
| Flower Description | Monoecious. |
| Fruit Description | Cones are mostly solitary and very rare, however, they may occasionally be found in clusters of 2 or 3, to 7-8 cm long and about 4 - 5 cm around, grey or dull brown and dropping to the ground when mature. |
| Colour Description | Needles are green near the stem, as they grow the tips become a lively golden yellow, bark is a rich dark brown but turns greyish with age. |
| Texture Description | Soft to the touch for having needles, much softer than most plants in the Pinaceae family. |
Photographs
A young plant in the conifer garden at Fanshawe College, London, Ontario.
Jim Wolting pictured beside his original plant in the nursery (Photo credit: Jack Parker).