Great Plant Pick: Picea orientalis ‘Skylands,’ golden Caucasian spruce

Published 1:30 am Saturday, December 15, 2018

What: A golden beauty, Picea orientalis “Skylands” will shimmer in the large garden and be a beacon to draw one toward it. In spring the evergreen needles emerge vivid yellow; then, gradually, this striking conifer becomes softly gilded for the remainder of the year. Although this upright, pyramidal spruce tends to grow a tad more slowly in its youth than the species, it will eventually reach 35 or so feet in height.

Where: A site with full sun is best for this golden Caucasian spruce, although light shade is OK. Any soil is fine, as long as it is well-drained. Once established, this conifer is drought tolerant.

Size: The evergreen grows to be 35 feet tall and 6 feet wide when mature.

Care: Little to no pruning is required for this tree.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks