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Picea orientalis 'Skylands'

Previously known as:

  • Picea orientalis 'Aurea Compacta'
Phonetic Spelling
PY-see-uh or-ee-en-TAY-liss
Description

'Skylands' is a yellow-needled cultivar that grows to around 8'-10' tall in 10 years with an erect, conical to pyramidal habit.  It can eventually reach 35' feet but it takes a long time.  The exterior needles are showy bright yellow in the spring when the plant is in full sun and a more subtle green-yellow in the shade.  As the summer progresses the needle color does fade regardless of sun exposure.  Interior needles remain green the entire time.  In hot climates like the south, needles can burn in the full sun.  Showy red pollen cones appear in the spring and are attractive against the yellow needles.  It makes an excellent accent or specimen plant providing great winter interest in the landscape.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential problems include needle cast, cankers, bagworms, and mites.

More information on Picea orientalis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Greenhouse Beds
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#red fruits#showy cones#yellow needles
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy leaves#low maintenance#winter interest#red fruits#showy cones#yellow needles
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Picea
    Species:
    orientalis
    Family:
    Pinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Conical
    Erect
    Pyramidal
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Available Space To Plant:
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    24-60 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Description:
    Red pollen cones are showy and appear in the spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Needled Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Needles
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Needles are bright yellow when in full sun and green-yellow in partial shade.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Specimen