Picea orientalis Summergold - Caucasian Spruce

Picea orientalis 'Summergold' is a variety of the Oriental spruce that is characterised by slow growth, a regular conical habit, and very beautiful yellow shoots. This Oriental spruce is adorned with dense foliage, composed of short needles that retain their golden shine for a long time before turning green. Its distinct and colourful silhouette works well when planted as a standalone specimen in the middle of a lawn. Fairly undemanding and requiring little maintenance, this variety will find a place in many gardens.

Picea orientalis 'Summergold' is a horticultural selection that is not widely distributed in Western Europe. It originates from Picea orientalis, also known as Oriental spruce or Caucasian spruce. The latter is an evergreen conifer of the pinaceae family, native to northeastern Turkey and the Caucasus. In its natural habitat, this large pyramidal tree reaching 30 m in height grows equally well on the humus-bearing soil of mixed or evergreen forests, as on the rocky slopes of the Black Sea coast. It prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils, although it can tolerate some limestone.

The 'Summergold' Oriental spruce has a dense, regular conical habit. This slow-growing tree reaches about 2 m in height in 10 years. Mature specimens reach up to 8 m in height and 5 to 6 m in width. In spring, it produces upright, quite short and very tight branches of a pure yellow. As the weeks pass, they turn yellowish-green. The branches are covered with very short needles, diamond-shaped in section, shiny, radially arranged and very dense around the branches. They have 2 very discreet white bands on the underside.

The 'Summergold' Oriental spruce is an elegant and luminous conifer, to be showcased in the garden. It thrives in many situations and adapts to various climates, as long as the soil it is planted in is well-drained and not too limestone-rich. Like all "spruces," it blends well with geometric lines and walls. The architectural qualities of conifers are also essential in designing a contemporary garden. These plants with reassuring permanence can structurally shape the landscape for the long term. To complement this 'Summergold' variety, plant heathers at its base; these plants maintain beautiful foliage in winter, and flower throughout the year if the varieties are well chosen. Creeping conifers are also good companions, as are shrubs with purple foliage (especially Physocarpus). The key is to play with volumes and colours.