Woody > Picea > Picea breweriana > Picea breweriana 'Fuhlingsgold'
Picea breweriana
'Fuhlingsgold'
Origin: This spruce is a cultivar of the Picea breweriana. Native to western North America, Picea Breweriana fruhlingsgold, unlike the straight species that can only be found on the mountains in the area, is nursery grown due to it being a genetic freak. Picea breweriana ‘Fruhlingsgold’ wasn’t well known until they appeared in nursery catalogues in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Mike's
Opinion
"
I love the bright yellow green foliage on this tree. Unlike the straight species, this seems to have broader shape. The weeping branches also add to the effect of its beautiful foliage, wouldn’t mind having one of this growing near my home, but sadly with our climate it seems unlikely.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Pinaceae |
| Genus |
| Picea |
| Species |
| breweriana |
| Cultivar |
| 'Fuhlingsgold' |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (evergreen) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 6 - 8 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| 5 - 9 |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H6 |
| Temperature (°C) |
| (-23) - (-17) |
| Temperature (°F) |
| (-10) - 0 |
| Height |
| 2 - 3 m |
| Spread |
| 0.5 - 0.75 m |
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| Medium sized conifer evergreen with long weeping branches and bright yellow green foliage on the new growth, turning a darker green with age. Looks to be much denser than the straight species. |
| Landscape |
| Used in landscaping for its bright foliage. Mainly used in parks or large estates where it would have space to grow to its full potential. It can handle wet winters, dry summers, and rocky soil. |
| Cultivation |
| Prefers moist soil for its roots. Ideal pH level is between 4 and 6. Keep in good location with lots of sun. Some wind resistance, you will want to support if in shallow soil. Should be planted in its permanent place; avoid transplanting once planted. |
| Shape |
| Dense foliage. Long weeping branches that form almost a round ball shape when growing, narrowing out with age. Can still maintain its round form if pruned. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| Bright yellow green foliage on the new growth that turns a dark green when older, weeping branches like its straight species. Does not get to the same height as the straight species. |
| Pests |
| The common pests for this tree are the spruce bug worm, which can defoliate the tree causing a decline in the tree’s health, and cooley spruce gall adelgid that cause little harm to the tree. Needle cast can also present in the tree, preventable by maintaining the tree’s health to avoid contraction of fungi that cause it. |
| Habitat |
| Horticultural origin. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| Smooth bark with a purple grey tinge when young, but grows to be a rough texture with age. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The leaf bud is a light green obtuse bud about 5 mm in length that turns in to bright yellow green foliage. |
| Leaf Description |
| 10 – 30 cm long needles. New growth is bright yellow green in bunches at the apex of the branches, turning a dark green with age. They hang down quite a bit similar to its straight species. |
| Flower Description |
| Non applicable due to this evergreen being a cultivar. |
| Fruit Description |
| Non applicable due to this evergreen being a cultivar. |
| Colour Description |
| Greyish purple bark when young fades in colour with age. Bright yellow green colour on new growth then fades to a darker green with age. Colour doesn’t change much over the seasons, other than the foliage losing more of the yellow in the winter months when little to no growth happens. |
| Texture Description |
| Smooth bark when young, begins becoming scaly and rough when aging. The bright new needles are a little softer than the older tougher needles, and buds look to be smooth. |
| Notable Specimens |
| Meerkensweg 8 5408 PB Volkel, Netherlands. |
| Propagation |
| Cut a terminal shoot about 6 – 10 cm long. Dip in root hormone to promote growth and plant in a moist well draining medium. To protect against frost in spring place in cold frame or in greenhouse. To help harden the tree slowly introduce it to outside climate to not shock the tree when you move it outside. After about 12 months move plant outdoors in early summer, either still in container to let it grow more, or plant in its permanent place. Avoid transplanting as much as you can, for it does not like to be moved once established. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| Mainly used for landscaping due to its bright foliage and interesting structure. Can be harvested for its wood and foliage to make floral arrangements, does not produce a large amount of wood. Not a common tree to use due to it being a cultivar of such a rare tree, and the kind of climate it needs to thrive. |
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